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'One word, Ma'am,' he said, coming back from the fire; limping, because of the pain. 'One word. All you've been saying is quite right, I shouldn't wonder. I'm a chap who always liked to know the worst and then put the best face I can on it. So I won't deny any of what you said. But there's one thing more to be said, even so. Suppose we have only dreamed, or made up, all those things - trees and grass and sun and moon and stars and Aslan himself. Suppose we have. Then all I can say is that, in that case, the made-up things seem a good deal more important than the real ones. Suppose this black pit of a kingdom of yours is the only world. Well, it strikes me as a pretty poor one. And that's a funny thing, when you come to think of it. We're just babies making up a game, if you're right. But four babies playing a game can make a playworld which licks your real world hollow. That's why I'm going to stand by the play-world. I'm on Aslan's side even if there isn't any Aslan to lead it. I'm going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isn't any Narnia. So, thanking you kindly for our supper, if these two gentlemen and the young lady are ready, we're leaving your court at once and setting out in the dark to spend our lives looking for Overland. Not that our lives will be very long, I should think; but that's a small loss if the world's as dull a place as you say.'

C. S. Lewis#155

RealityFantasyHopeMeaning

About this quote

What does it mean?
A character argues that even if fantasy worlds are made up, they hold more value and meaning than a bleak reality.
In plain terms
Even if stories are made up, they are better than a sad real world.
What can you take from it?
Imagination can be more meaningful than reality.

Where it applies

  • debate on art
  • existential crisis
  • escapism

Putting it to work

  • value art
  • create meaning

Questions to consider

  • Is a better world worth dreaming?
  • How do you define a good world?

Another view

Reality often requires attention regardless of its bleakness.

More from C. S. Lewis

  1. 'You would not have called to me unless I had been calling to you,' said the Lion. (ch. 2)

    Permalink to quote #154
  2. It is the stupidest children who are the most childish and the stupidest grown-ups who are the most grown-up.

    Permalink to quote #156
  3. 'Are you not thirsty?' said the Lion. 'I am dying of thirst,' said Jill. 'Then drink,' said the Lion. 'May I - could I - would you mind going away while I do?'…

    Permalink to quote #153

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