A ride on the back of a polar bear
Bloomberg. Golden Compass' Is Top Weekend Movie at $26 Million
After watching Lyra ride Iorek the polar bear across the sparkling tundra beneath a star strewn sky on the big screen the other night, in what I found to be a thrilling, utterly breathtaking cinematic moment, I wonder if we'll see an increased interest in polar bears from girls? You know, kind of like the girls and horses thing?
Although, given that polar bears are big carnivores with a taste for seals and people (I don't believe I could afford to keep one fed), we probably won't see any rush from well-intentioned parents to go out and actually get one for their little darlings.
That's where my idea kind of falls apart. But I couldn't help thinking as I was watching the film, Lyra clinging to the bear's fur, of the thrill, the absolute joy of a gallop on horseback. In the night. Beneath the stars. I've done it. I bet several of you have too.
My fifth-grade teacher instilled in me a lifelong love of story. Science fiction and fantasy to be exact. I remember the rainy afternoons when he asked us to put our heads on our desks in our dreary, underfunded public school room, and he'd open a book, and we'd be transported to another world. All of us together. You see, story was very democratic. It didn't matter where we came from, what kind of house we lived in, who our parents were, or what we looked like, we shared that common human gift, and we all had access to it with a minimum of effort (especially in gradeschool)--our imaginations.
I've tried to find that teacher. To tell him what his stories have meant to me for a lifetime. But to no avail unfortunately.
I'm a big believer in sacred story too. Art transforms. Lifts our spirits. Just like this scene in this beautiful film did for me the other night. Just as my imagination saved me when I was a little girl.
I am tempted to think that the shrill little man from The Catholic League of America (the one I see on CNN and Fox screeching in outrage at free thought and free will and story that doesn't fit his view of the world) ought to take a ride on the back of a polar bear. It would be damned good for him.
Who are this little man and his ilk? The imagination police? Maybe he'd like to get rid of the greek classical myths as well while he's at it.
Comments
I'm a big believer in Sacred Story, too.
Between Knute (the baby polar bear in the Berlin zoo) and this movie, perhaps polar bears will replace penguins and monkeys. I don't think they'll ever replace horses!
You could feed them bobcats.
I love your comment about the angry man needs a ride on the polar bear.
Posted by: Anne | December 10, 2007 6:09 PM
Thanks for your thoughtful post about political activism and pastors.
I'm not sure I know what a divine spark is and can hardly recognize it in myself, much less others, but I think we are on common ground in a way. I believe that God is as close as the air we breath and is completely in-tune to us (and wants the same in return). I believe when we answer his invitation (and he is calling us always, by name -- that part gives me the shivers) by accepting Christ that our response opens the door for the divine to live within us. There's a place inside each of us built for the divine.
Now, if you are able to spot the divine as you are walking down the street, I will send you a challenge and send my mother-in-law down your street.
I haven't got those powers of sight, so the best I can do in relating to my fellow man/woman is to try to imagine that they are Jesus and treat them as I would treat him. I fail daily and usually don't even remember to try.
Posted by: Anne | December 11, 2007 3:37 PM
I think it's just different words. I think when you treat someone as you would treat Jesus, then you are acknowledging the spark within that person.
Love what you wrote--
"I believe that God is as close as the air we breath and is completely in-tune to us (and wants the same in return). I believe when we answer his invitation (and he is calling us always, by name -- that part gives me the shivers) by accepting Christ that our response opens the door for the divine to live within us. There's a place inside each of us built for the divine."
Posted by: I Gallop On | December 11, 2007 5:05 PM
My Mother used to remind us often (when we'd get to feeling superior in any way) "The ground is level at the foot of the cross" That fact and realizing that everything, even evil, glorifies God helpes me to find that spark in everyone-or to at least acknowledge it even when I can't see it.
Posted by: ELL | December 14, 2007 11:10 AM