J.R.R. Tolkien
The world is a place full of turmoil and danger now. Many of us
are afraid of what will happen next. But I am comforted, not by the words of
politicians or preachers, but by the enduring words of J. R. R. Tolkien in his
work THE LORD OF THE RINGS. It took him 12 years to write the famous fantasy,
but it was worth every second as he wrestled over the story of how good won over
evil, not with mightier soldiers, but with brave hearts and commitment.
Tolkien’s words of wisdom and valor are immortalized now. My
favorite among all the wonderful characters is Samwise Gougee, Fodo’s best
friend who lifted Frodo’s spirits up even when all seemed lost.
THE LORD OF THE RINGS is filled with inspiring messages about
friendship, courage, truth, and most of all, hope.
Here is an excerpt of a conversation between Frodo and Sam that I
love:
Frodo: “I can’t
do this, Sam.”
Sam: “I
know. It’s all wrong. By all rights we shouldn’t even be here. But we are. It’s
like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo...the ones that really mattered. Full of
darkness and danger they were. And sometimes you didn’t want to know how they
would end because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to
the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it’s only a
passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And
when the sun shines, it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that
stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand
why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. The folk in those
stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn’t. They kept going because
they were holding on to something.
Frodo: “What
are they holding on to, Sam?”
Sam: “That
there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo…and it’s worth fighting for.
And this is why I love Sam. Through all they went through, when everything seemed lost, Sam never gave up, never surrendered to hopelessness.
In times of trouble, what phrase or passage helps you get through
it? Do you have a friend like Samwise Gougee who lifts your spirits with
positive energy? What work of fiction always makes you feel better when you
read it?
Diverse
stories filled with heart
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