next to the toffee tree

my name is david cairns, i like to write. the name of my blog comes from the c.s. lewis novel “the magician’s nephew.” in it, the two main characters (children — digory and polly) embark on a mission from Aslan (the God figure) to retrieve an apple from the garden at the end of the western wild. after one nights travel, the children and their mode of transportation (a flying horse named Fledge) rest. digory then realises that they have nothing to eat and the following scene ensues.

….

Polly and Digory stared at one another in dismay.

“Well I do think that someone would have aranged something about our meals,” said Digory

“I’m sure Aslan would have, if you’d asked him,” said Fledge.

“Wouldn’t he know without being asked?” said Polly.

“I’ve no doubt he would,” said the horse (still with his mouth full). “But I’ve a sort of idea that he likes to be asked.”

….

they are not completely without food though, polly has nine toffees in her pocket. polly and digory each eat four and the ninth they plant in the ground. this takes some explaining. the children are in a newly created world, a fictional genesis chapter three world if you will. and in this new world on the very first day there was an instance where a metal bar was thrown to the ground and the final result was a full grown lamppost. using this knowledge digory plants the final toffee. the toffee tree does not instantly grow, however, and the children decide to get some sleep.

….

When suddenly Polly sat up wide awake and said “Hush!”

Everyone listened as hard as they could.

“Perhaps it was only the wind in the trees,” Digory said presently.

“I’m not so sure,” said Fledge. “Anyway – wait! There it goes again, by Aslan it is something.” 

The horse scrambled to its feet with a great noise and a great upheaval; the children were already on theirs. Fledge trotted to and fro, sniffing and whinnying. The children tip-toed this way and that, looking looking behind every bush and tree. They kept on thinking they saw things, and there was one time when Polly was perfectly certain she had seen a tall dark figure gliding quickly along away in a westerly direction….

“Wake up, Digory, wake up, Fledge,” came the voice of Polly, “It has turned into a toffee tree. And its the loveliest morning.”

….

and this is where we live, or “where life happens”. on a mission (one that we were sent on mind you) travelling through dark nights with dark figures that lurk and glide, seeking to destroy.  and lovely mornings. mornings where we have the chance to fight back and take back. all, while trying to understand the One who sends such strange and wonderful gifts as a toffee tree.