One of the most charming stories in the Chronicles of Narnia stories by C.S. Lewis is The Horse And His Boy. In spite of the horse getting top billing in the title, the story centers around the boy Shasta, a prince who is one of a pair of identical twins separated at birth, kidnapped, rescued by a knight, and raised by a poor fisherman in a far country, who had no idea of Shasta’s real identity and who treated him as a servant as he grew older.

In the story the the boy managed to escape from the fisherman on a Narnian talking horse when he learned that he was about to be sold to a military officer. The horse had also been kidnapped. Together they make up the rest of the story a they travel through hostile territory to reach first Archenland, and eventually Narnia.

Shasta had many close calls on the journey, as he had to learn to ride a horse, find food, avoid detection, and persevere in traveling with others trying to escape, as well.

As Shasta reached Archenland he met Aslan, the Savior figure in all of the Narnia stories. In the encounter Shasta is introduced to the Great Lion who reveals Himself as One who has helped Shasta throughout his life.

To his great surprise Shasta, while standing next to his twin, Colin, is recognized by King Lune, their actual father: “What came next surprised Shasta as much as anything that had ever happened to him in his life. He found himself suddenly embraced in a bear-like hug by King Lune and kissed on both of his cheeks.”(The Horse and His Boy, chapter 13) As it turns out Shasta, whose real name is Cor, is the older twin, and will become King of Archenland after his father. Shasta (Cor) never chose to leave his father and mother, but he was raised without a faith.

His arrival at King Lune’s palace was greeted as joyfully as that of the Prodigal in Jesus’ story: “While he was still a long way off his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”(Luke 15:26) Jesus also said, “There will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” (Luke 15:7)

Aslan showed Shasta that his “sufferings “ were really self pity, and Shasta was changed. The Prodigal was changed when he “came to himself” and recognized his own poverty. Everyone needs to repent some times. It makes it easier to know how truly happpy it makes our Father to hear it, and to see the change.

Love in Him,

Prue