Seeing Is Not Believing
Ever heard the phrase “Can’t read a book by its cover?” Ever really thought about what that means? In The Princess and the Goblin, by George MacDonald, the grandmother teaches Princess Irene an important lesson about seeing beyond the surface. We must be aware that merely observing something doesn’t equate to fully comprehending or trusting in its significance.
‘What does it all mean, grandmother?’ she [Princess Irene] sobbed, and burst into fresh tears.
‘It means, my love, that I did not mean to show myself. Curdie is not yet able to believe some things. Seeing is not believing – it is only seeing. You remember I told you that if Lootie were to see me, she would rub her eyes, forget the half she saw, and call the other half nonsense.’ ~ The Princess and the Goblin
In The Princess and the Goblin, MacDonald uses the phrase “Seeing is not believing – it is only seeing” to convey a deeper understanding of perception and belief. The grandmother’s wisdom encourages us to look beyond the surface and recognize that true understanding often requires faith and intuition, rather than just visual evidence. Through the grandmother I believe MacDonald was implying that belief and understanding come from a place of inner conviction, rather than just physical observation.
We need to remember to explore beyond what we can see. MacDonald’s fairy tale helps us consider that there are truths and realities that may not be immediately visible or tangible but can be understood through deeper engagement, reflection, and trust.
Byron's Babbles 
[…] I wrote Seeing Is Not Believing after being inspired by George MacDonald’s The Princess and the Goblin. Now I’m continuing the […]
LikeLike