An Afternoon with the Lions

Back in November Evelyn and I had a rare afternoon to go to the zoo just the two of us. We've gone since she was a baby, but we'd NEVER seen the lion so close to the glass.

I can hardly ever think of lions without thinking of Narnia.

Here's what Mr. Beaver says to Susan in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe when she asks if Aslan is a man:

"Aslan a man?" said Mr. Beaver sternly. "Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea. Don't you know who is the King of Beasts? Aslan is a lion--the Lion, the great Lion."

And another:

"At the name of Aslan each one of the children felt something jump in its inside. Edmund felt a sensation of mysterious horror. Peter felt suddenly brave and adventurous. Susan felt as if some delicious smell or some delightful strain of music had just floated by her. And Lucy got the feeling you have when you wake up in the morning and realize that it is the beginning of the holidays or the beginning of summer."

Someday I will re-read the Chronicles, hopefully aloud to the girls. They are among my favorite books and Alan gave me a collector's edition boxed set as a wedding present. I take something new away from them with each reading, one of which is (and grateful I am for this!) that I am more and more in love with (and in awe of) Aslan.