C.S. Lewis Strikes Again

Sometimes you read something that really hits the nail on the head. From Book 6 of the 7 book series by C.S. Lewis entitled "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair." This exchange takes place after three characters, Puddleglum, Jill & Scrubb, fall into the underworld after they failed to follow Aslan's "signs":

"Who's that?" asked Puddleglum. And it was so long since anyone had spoken, that Jill wondered how he had the nerve.

"That is old Father Time, who was once a King in Overland," said the Warden. "And now he has sunk down into the Deep Realm and lies dreaming of all the things that are done in the upper world. Many sink down, and few return to the sunlit lands. They say he will wake at the end of the world."...

..."One thing I'd like to know," said Puddleglum, "is whether anyone from our world--from up-a-top, I mean--has ever doen this trip before?"

"Many have taken ship at the pale beaches," replied the Warden, "and--

"Yes, I know," interrupted Puddleglum. "And few return to the sunlit lands. You needn't say it again."

When you work with teenagers, and their parents, these truths are self-evident. Many sink down, and few return to the sunlit lands. I hope it takes before the end of the world for them to wake up.