Friday, July 14, 2023

Friday Creature Feature - Reepicheep


"We have nothing if not belief."

Recently one Sunday afternoon, I put on Voyage of the Dawn Treader for some uplifting background noise. The Chronicles of Narnia is a movie series (and book series) that I could pretty much have on repeat. The themes and messages have pulled me through some dark times (see my Horse and His Boy post). This time watching through Dawn Treader, I was reminded how much I love the mouse Reepicheep.

In case you've forgotten, Reepicheep was the leader of the talking mice, shortly before and during the rise of Prince Caspian. He was descended from the dumb mice who chewed through Aslan's binds on the Stone Table, back in the days of the Pevensie kids (rewarded with speech for serving Aslan). He was one of Caspian's most trusted soldiers, despite his small stature. In the movie version of Prince Caspian, he and the other mice help to infiltrate Miraz's castle in prepration for the oncoming fight. In the Second Battle of Beruna he was nearly killed and his tail was cut off. With Lucy's healing cordial, he was resuscitated, but it wasn't until he and his fellow mice showed humility to Aslan that his tail was restored.


Three years later (by Narnian time) he was aboard the Dawn Treader when they chanced upon Edmund, Lucy, and Eustace. At first he was at constant odds with Eustace (but who wasn't, right?). After their encounter with Dragon Island, Reepicheep forgave Eustace and they became friends. In the movie version, Reepicheep took to flying on Eustace's dragon head through their journeys and encouraging him to fight on. Reepicheep was also the only one it seemed (in both movie and book) to not panic when encountering the sea serpent.

Also of note for Dawn Treader was Reepicheep's belief in Aslan's Country. Many of the others on the boat thought they'd reach the end of the world and fall off the edge. But Reepicheep had been taught as a mousling, "Where the sky and water meet, Where the waves grow sweet, Doubt not, Reepicheep, To find all you seek, There is the utter East." And he took that in faith, giving him the hope that he'd one day see Aslan's Country. His faith was realized... he was the only Narnian to reach the End of the World and, surrendering his sword, he was granted passage into Aslan's Country. There he remained until The Last Battle, when he welcomed the Friends of Narnia into Aslan's Country and "further up and further in." 


There's one main reason I love Reepicheep: his example of faith. I like to think of myself as a person of faith, which I am, but I'm also certainly one to doubt, especially when it comes to divine worth. But maybe I just need someone like that around in my life to affirm me, like Reepicheep did with Eustace in the movie. The movie version actually makes me think of my trainer from my mission. It doesn't happen so much anymore now that I'm married, but I could always count on him for a pep talk with the same energy as Reepicheep's "Extraordinary things only happen to extraordinary people. Maybe it's a sign. That you could have an extraordinary destiny." Or my favorite, from Reepicheep's goodbye to Eustace, "What a magnificent puzzle you are. And a true hero. It has been my honor to fight beside such a brave warrior. And a great friend."

So here's to Reepicheep, a true hero of faith.

"Come on, let’s meet our destiny!"



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