TCN06 - The Silver Chair, Part 01 of 09

Lady of the Green Kirtle: My dear prince, my poor, spellbound prince, today is the day I take you to your true kingdom, away from this world of distant dreams and fantasy. Today you will join me in my world, where I will care for you, nurture you, prepare you for your true destiny. You'll fear for nothing, you'll want for nothing, for you will hear only what I tell you and act only as I decree. It's all for the best, my precious and valiant knight, for our future together, where I will reign that is to say, we will reign victorious. Now come, my prince. Come.
Douglas Gresham: Hello, I'm Douglas Gresham, your host for Focus on the Family Radio Theatre. C. S. Lewis, or Jack as his friends knew him, spent most of his life teaching and writing in Oxford. He shared a house called The Kilns with his brother Warren. In the 50s, Jack met my mother, Joy Davidman, and they were married, and my brother and I became part of the family at The Kilns. One of the mainstays at the house was Fred Paxford, who served as a handyman, gardener, and occasional cook for over 30 years. Everyone else called him Paxford, but he and I became friends and I was allowed the single honour of calling him Fred. Fred was an Oxfordshire countryman through and through. He knew the ways of animals and plants better than anyone, and he knew what it was to be a young boy, which may be why we became such close friends. He was a simple and earthy man who might be called a cheerful eternal pessimist. If you said good morning to him, he might reply, Ah, looks like rain before lunch though, if it don't snow or hail that is. I mention him now because Fred was the inspiration for one of Narnia's best-loved characters, Puddleglum in The Silver Chair, the story you're about to hear. The story itself was originally called The Wild Wastelands, but the publisher wanted something else. So it became consecutively Nights Under Narnia, Gnomes Under Narnia, News Under Narnia, and then finally The Silver Chair. If you remember the ending to The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, then you may recognize how this story seems to begin where it left off with Eustace in a strange country that seems to belong only to Aslan. Only now Eustace is with his friend Jill, and they have to be sent to Narnia in one of the strangest ways found in any of the seven books. So without further delay, Focus on the Family Radio Theatre presents The Silver Chair.
Guest (Male): The most beloved children's series.
Guest (Female): And what wonderful adventures we shall have.
Eustace Scrubb: Oh, I do wish we knew the story that's behind all this.
Guest (Male): Brought to glorious life.
Jill Pole: It's the army. It's Rabadash and he's coming this way.
Eustace Scrubb: Quick, we must get to Anvard before them.
Lady of the Green Kirtle: Tomorrow I will begin the conquest of the world.
Guest (Male): And coming to an imagination near you.
Eustace Scrubb: There's not much point in finding a magic ring that lets you into other worlds if you're afraid to look at them when you've got there.
Guest (Male): C. S. Lewis's classic Narnia series, available for you to cherish in your own home, produced by Focus on the Family's Radio Theatre. Stories like The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, The Horse and His Boy, The Magician's Nephew, Prince Caspian, and The Voyage of The Dawn Treader now can be yours. Call our toll-free number at 1-800 the letter A family, or visit our website at radiotheatre.org. Focus on The Family Radio Theatre, set sail for adventure.
Guest (Male): Chat GPT and AI can offer you ideas and attempt to give you answers, but it can't listen with compassion, pray with you, or offer biblical wisdom. Real connection is what brings true hope. Focus on the Family offers a free confidential consultation with a Christian counsellor to guide you and help you find hope with whatever you're facing. Go to focusonthefamily.com/gethelp or call 1-800 a family. That's 1-800 the letter A, the word family.
Guest (Male): It was a dull autumn day, and Jill Pole was crying behind the gym. She was crying because they'd been bullying her. This is not going to be a school story, so I shall say as little as possible about Jill's school, which is not a pleasant subject. It was co-educational, a school for both boys and girls, or what used to be called a mixed school, though some said it was not nearly so mixed as the minds of the people who ran it. These people had the idea that boys and girls should be allowed to do what they liked. And unfortunately, what 10 or 15 of the biggest boys and girls liked best was bullying others. The headmistress at an ordinary school would have found out and put a stop to it or the bullies would have been expelled or punished. But the headmistress at this school said they were interesting psychological cases and talked to the bullies for hours. And if you knew the right sort of things to say to the headmistress, the main result was that you became rather a favourite than otherwise. And that was why Jill Pole was crying on that dull autumn day on the damp little path which runs between the back of the gym and the shrubbery. She hadn't finished her cry when a boy came round the corner.
Eustace Scrubb: Oh, oh, sorry.
Jill Pole: Can't you look where you're going?
Eustace Scrubb: I didn't see you there. See you didn't start.
Jill Pole: Oh, I say. Jill, what's wrong?
Eustace Scrubb: No, go away. It's them, isn't it? They've been bullying you again, haven't they?
Jill Pole: Mind your own business. Now look here, there's no good us all getting up.
Eustace Scrubb: Don't lecture me, Eustace. Nobody asked you to come barging in, did they? Besides, you are as bad as they are.
Jill Pole: Am I?
Eustace Scrubb: You spent the whole of last term sucking up to them and bowing to everything they wanted.
Jill Pole: Hey, that's not fair. Have I been doing anything of the sort this term? Didn't I stand up to Carter about the rabbit? And didn't I keep the secret about Spivvins under torture too? And didn't I even all right? I don't know and I don't care.
Eustace Scrubb: Would you like a peppermint?
Jill Pole: Yes, please. Thank you. I'm sorry, Eustace. I wasn't being fair about what I said. You're not as bad now as you were last term.
Eustace Scrubb: Forget about last term if you can. I was a little tick then.
Jill Pole: Well, honestly, you were.
Eustace Scrubb: Hm. So you think there's been a change?
Jill Pole: It's not only me. Everyone's been saying so. Some of us like it, but they don't, you know. They liked it better when you were on their side.
Eustace Scrubb: I'd better watch out then.
Jill Pole: So what happened?
Eustace Scrubb: Well, a lot of strange things happened to me during the summer.
Jill Pole: What sort of things?
Eustace Scrubb: You wouldn't believe me.
Jill Pole: Why wouldn't I? Because Look here, Jill. Can I trust you?
Eustace Scrubb: Thanks a lot.
Jill Pole: I mean it, Jill. This is a really terrific secret. And if I thought you'd tell anyone else or laugh at me, do I look like someone who's about to laugh? And who would I tell? Right now you seem to be the only friend I have. But it's more than that. Supposing I told you I've been to a place where animals can talk and where there are enchantments and dragons, well, all the sorts of things you'd have in fairy tales. What would you say to that?
Eustace Scrubb: Well, how did you get there?
Jill Pole: The only way you can by magic.
Eustace Scrubb: Magic?
Jill Pole: I was with two cousins of mine. We were just whisked away to this wonderful world. And then we had some amazing adventures and and What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?
Eustace Scrubb: You're only saying this to make me feel better, aren't you?
Jill Pole: I'm not. I swear it all happened.
Eustace Scrubb: Oh, but what's the good of telling me about it? It's all very well and good that you went there and it changed you, but we jolly well can't get there now, can we?
Jill Pole: I've been wondering about that. When we came back from that world or that place, I still don't know what to call it. Someone there said my cousins could never go there again. It was their third time, you see. I suppose they've had their share. But he never said I couldn't. And I can't help wondering, can we? Could we do something to make it happen?
Eustace Scrubb: Yes.
Jill Pole: You mean we might draw a circle on the ground and write strange letters in it and stand inside and recite charms and spells?
Eustace Scrubb: Well, sort of. Though that's not how we got in before. And to be frank, I think all those circles and things are rather rot. I don't think he'd like them. It would look as if we thought we could make him do things, but really we can only ask him.
Jill Pole: Who is this person you keep talking about?
Eustace Scrubb: They call him Aslan in that place.
Jill Pole: Aslan? What a curious name.
Eustace Scrubb: Not half so curious as his. But let's get on. It can't do any harm just to ask him. Let's stand side by side.
Jill Pole: Like this?
Eustace Scrubb: Right. And we hold out our arms in front of us with the palms facing down, like they did in Ramandu's Island.
Jill Pole: Whose Island?
Eustace Scrubb: I'll tell you about that another time. And he might like us to face the east. Let's see. Where is the east? Ah, that's the east, facing up into the laurels. Now will you say the words after me?
Jill Pole: What words?
Eustace Scrubb: The words I'm going to say, of course. Now Aslan. Aslan. Aslan.
Jill Pole: Aslan. Aslan. Aslan.
Eustace Scrubb: Please let the two of us go into your
Jill Pole: Wait. What's that? Oh, no, it's them.
Eustace Scrubb: Hurry into the laurels. Up the slope. There, up ahead, a gate. But that leads to the moors. And it's always locked, so we can't escape.
Jill Pole: We'll have to hope it's open now. Here. It's sure to be locked. Oh, by gum, it's open. How odd. The sun is so bright. But it was grey and overcast a moment ago. I can't see the moors. Eustace. Oh, I say. I think that's I mean could it be Narnia? What? Is that your world?
Eustace Scrubb: Come on, Jill. Do you want to go or not?
Jill Pole: But can we get back? Is it safe?
Eustace Scrubb: Quick, take my hand. We mustn't get separated.
Jill Pole: Separated? Oh, but what if
Eustace Scrubb: Come on.
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Jill Pole: It's so quiet. And the air is so fresh. Are we on the top of a mountain?
Eustace Scrubb: I don't know.
Jill Pole: We must be. Look at the size of those trees. And I 've never seen those kinds of birds before.
Eustace Scrubb: I suspect you'll see a lot of things you've never seen before. The trees seem to stop just ahead. Perhaps it's the end of this forest. Let's go. It's a very lonely forest, isn't it?
Jill Pole: Oh, be careful, Jill.
Eustace Scrubb: Why?
Jill Pole: You don't want to fall off the edge of the cliff, do you?
Eustace Scrubb: Oh, my. I've never been up so high. It's nothing but blue sky ahead.
Jill Pole: I see.
Eustace Scrubb: Are those sheep down there?
Jill Pole: The clouds, I think.
Eustace Scrubb: Clouds? They are. But what's beyond them? Is it a field? A wood?
Jill Pole: I don't know. I can't see from here. Just stay back will you?
Eustace Scrubb: What's wrong with you?
Jill Pole: We're awfully high up. Please come away from the edge.
Eustace Scrubb: I'm not a child, Eustace, and I'm certainly not afraid of heights. See? This doesn't bother me at all.
Jill Pole: What are you doing, Jill? Come back. Don't be an idiot.
Eustace Scrubb: Don't call me names. Oh. It is a long way down.
Jill Pole: Take my hand, Jill. One could fall forever.
Eustace Scrubb: Jill, I'm afraid.
Jill Pole: Then take my hand. Don't move. I'll fall.
Eustace Scrubb: Stay calm.
Jill Pole: My legs, they feel like putty.
Eustace Scrubb: Right. Listen to me, Jill. Reach out and take your arm and pull you back. Don't move.
Jill Pole: No, let me. Don't. I 'm afraid.
Eustace Scrubb: It's only a couple of steps. Do you hear? I'll take your arm.
Guest (Male): Eustace's voice seemed to be coming from a long way off. Jill felt him grabbing at her, but by now she had no control over her own arms and legs. There was a moment struggling on the cliff edge. Jill was too frightened and dizzy to know quite what she was doing, but two things she remembered as long as she lived. One was that she had wrenched herself free of Eustace's clutches. The other was that at the same moment he himself had lost his balance.
Jill Pole: Eustace.
Guest (Male): Fortunately, Jill was given no time to think over what she'd done, for a huge, brightly coloured animal had rushed over and lay down next to her. It leaned over the edge of the cliff, and this was the odd thing, blew. It didn't roar or snort, but just blew from its wide opened mouth, blowing out as steadily as a vacuum cleaner sucks in. Jill was so close to the creature that you could feel the breath vibrating steadily through its body. She was lying perfectly still because she couldn't get up. She was nearly fainting. Indeed, she wished she could really faint, but faints don't come for the asking. At last she saw far away below her a tiny black speck floating away from the cliff and slightly upwards. As it rose, it also got further away. By the time it was nearly on a level with the cliff top, it was so far off that she lost sight of it. It was obviously moving away from them at a great speed. Jill couldn't help thinking that the animal at her side was blowing. So she turned and looked at the creature.
Jill Pole: A lion. You're a lion. It must be a dream. It must. It must. I'll wake up in a moment.
Guest (Male): The lion rose to its feet. And without a glance at Jill, gave one last blow. Then as if satisfied with its work, it turned and stalked slowly away back into the forest.
Jill Pole: I do wish we'd never come to this dreadful place. I don't believe Eustace knew any more about it than I do. Or if he did, he had no business to bring me here without warning me what it was like. It's not my fault he fell over that cliff. If he'd left me alone, we would both be all right now. Oh, Eustace.
Guest (Male): Crying is all right in its way while it lasts. But you have to stop sooner or later, and then you still have to decide what to do. When Jill stopped, she found she was dreadfully thirsty. She'd been lying face down with, but now she sat up. She listened carefully and felt almost sure she heard the sound of running water. There was no sign of the lion, though there were so many trees it might easily be quite close without her seeing it. But her thirst was very bad now, and she plucked up the courage to go and look for that running water. She went on tiptoes, stealing cautiously from tree to tree and stopping to look round her at every step. Jill eventually came to an open glade and saw the stream, bright as glass, running across the turf a stone's throw away from her. But although the sight of the water made her feel 10 times thirstier than before, she didn't rush forward and drink. She stood as still as if she'd been turned into stone with her mouth wide open. And she had a very good reason. Just on this side of the stream lay the lion with its head raised and its two forepaws out in front of it. She knew at once that it had seen her, for its eyes looked straight into hers for a moment and then turned away as if it knew her quite well and didn't think much of her.
Aslan: If you're thirsty, you may drink.
Jill Pole: What?
Aslan: If you're thirsty, come and drink.
Jill Pole: Oh.
Aslan: Are you not thirsty?
Jill Pole: I'm dying of thirst.
Aslan: Then drink.
Jill Pole: May I? Could I? Would you mind going away while I do? All right. Do you promise not to do anything to me if I do come?
Aslan: I make no promise.
Jill Pole: Then oh dear. I mean I'm so thirsty, you see. And do you eat girls?
Aslan: Oh, I've swallowed up girls and boys, women and men, kings and emperors, cities, and realms.
Jill Pole: I dare come and drink.
Aslan: Then you will die of thirst.
Jill Pole: Oh dear. I suppose I must go and look for another stream then.
Aslan: There is no other stream.
Guest (Male): It never occurred to Jill to disbelieve the lion. No one who'd seen his stern face could do that. And her mind suddenly made itself up. It was the worst thing she ever had to do. But she went forward to the stream, knelt down, and began scooping up water in her hand. It was the coldest, most refreshing water she'd ever tasted. You didn't need to drink much of it, for it quenched your thirst at once. Before she tasted it, she'd been intending to make a dash away from the lion the moment she'd finished. Now she realized this would be on the whole the most dangerous thing of all. She got up and stood there with her lips still wet from drinking.
Aslan: Come here.
Guest (Male): And she had to. She was almost between its front paws now, looking straight into its face. But she couldn't stand that for long. She lowered her eyes.
Aslan: Human child, where is the boy?
Jill Pole: He fell over the cliff, sir.
Aslan: How did he come to do that, human child?
Jill Pole: He was trying to stop me from falling, sir.
Aslan: Why were you so near the edge, human child?
Jill Pole: I was showing off, sir.
Aslan: That is a very good answer, human child. Do so no more. And now the boy is safe. I have blown him to Narnia. But your task will be the harder because of what you have done.
Jill Pole: What task, sir?
Aslan: The task for which I called you and him here out of your own world.
Jill Pole: Um.
Aslan: Speak your thought, human child.
Jill Pole: I was wondering, I mean could there be some mistake? Because nobody called me in Eustace, you know. It was we who asked to come here. Eustace said we were to call to to somebody. It was a name I wouldn't know. And perhaps a somebody would let us in. And we did. And then we found the door open.
Aslan: You would not have called to me unless I had been calling to you.
Jill Pole: Then you were the somebody, sir.
Aslan: I am. And now hear your task. Far from here in the land of Narnia, there lives an aged king who is sad because he has no prince of his blood to be king after him. He has no heir because his only son was stolen from him many years ago. And no one in Narnia knows where that prince went or whether he is still alive. But he is. I lay on you this command that you seek this lost prince until either you have found him and brought him to his father's house or else died in the attempt or else gone back into your own world.
Jill Pole: But how? Please.
Aslan: I will tell you, child. These are the signs by which I will guide you in your quest. First, as soon as the boy Eustace sets foot in Narnia, he will meet an old and dear friend. He must greet that friend at once. If he does, you will both have good health. Second, you must journey out of Narnia to the north till you come to the ruined city of the ancient giants. Third, you shall find a writing on a stone in that ruined city, and you must do what the writing tells you. Fourth, you will know the lost prince if you find him by this that he will be the first person you have met in your travels who will ask you to do something in my name. In the name of Aslan.
Guest (Male): Next time on The Silver Chair.
Glimfeather: There's something magical about you. I saw you arrive. You flew.
Eustace Scrubb: Would you mind telling us where we are?
Glimfeather: In the land of Narnia at the king's castle of Cair Paravel.
Jill Pole: We were sent here by Aslan.
Guest (Male): The Magician Mandiblus sent by the lion himself.
Glimfeather: Are you too well in earnest about what you've got to do?
Jill Pole: Isn't it all simply too exciting and scrumptious for words?
Douglas Gresham: The Silver Chair from The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis is a production of Focus on the Family. I'm Doug Gresham. Thank you for listening.