What do a French priest and a Narnian robin have in common?
In the epic story of Les Miserables, a priest shows mercy to the main character by sparing him punishment of his theft, and then generosity. The priest gives Jean Valjean an expensive item of silverware, which enables him to set up a stable life for himself. How kind.
Without the priest in Les Miserables, our hero Jean Valjean would never become mayor of a town, where he grew in respect and influence.
Without the French bishop, our hero Valjean would never grow to love Marius like a son.Were it not for the gift of the valuable silverware, Valjean would never have met the fragile prostitute Fantine and wouldn’t have had the opportunity to help her in her dying days.
Without the devout man of God, Jean Valjean would never meet Cosette, his adopted daughter.
Without the robin in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, the four children would never have met Mr and Mrs Beaver. The robin leads the kids, silently, to the friendly ambassadors of Narnia.
Without the silent bright red bird’s courage to be seen in the wood (even some of the trees are on her side!), the kids would not have met Aslan, the mighty lion.
Without the brave bird, the Pevensies would not have come to their place as the king and queens (and high king) of Narnia and the Lone Islands.
Edmund would remain a bully, Tumnus trapped in stone, and Narnia a dangerous, scary place.
The robin appears on three pages of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Three pages out of two hundred.
The Bishop of Digne appears in only 1 song out of 30 in Les Mis.
Who are you a bishop for? It does not matter that you are only in one scene. You have made a difference.
For whom can you be a Narnian robin? A guide in the right direction. A bearer of truth and provider of help.
Don’t underestimate your encouraging word, your small kind gesture and the opportunity to do so.
Jonathan Paper 