Mission Moments Blog
The Joy of Pursuit: A Lesson from Puddleglum in The Chronicles of Narnia
There's something uniquely refreshing about revisiting childhood classics with adult eyes. As we've journeyed through The Chronicles of Narnia with our parent book club, following along the Lower and Middle School reading journey, I've found myself struck by C.S. Lewis's ability to embed profound wisdom within simple dialogue.
Our recent study of The Silver Chair offered one such moment that resonated with me. When young Jill declares they must start by finding a ruined city of giants (as instructed by Aslan), the ever-practical (and to me, lovable) Marsh-wiggle Puddleglum responds with characteristic dry wit: "Got to start by finding it, have we? Not allowed to start by looking for it, I suppose?"
At first glance, this appears to be merely Puddleglum being Puddleglum—playing with words and offering comic relief through his pessimistic practicality. But beneath his linguistic playfulness lies a distinction that speaks directly to our school's commitment to Truth as one of our five guiding stars.
Puddleglum understands something that we strive to instill in our students: the difference between "finding" and "looking" is everything. The finding suggests an endpoint, a destination reached that students expect their teachers to provide. Looking, however, embraces the journey, the process, the pursuit.
In our educational philosophy, we don't simply want students to "find" truth handed to them on a platter (or smartboard, for that matter). Rather, we want them to embrace the ongoing adventure of "looking" for it. This active pursuit shapes their character, sharpens their intellect, and honors their individuality—touching on several of our school's Five Stars.
When we emphasize the pursuit of truth rather than merely its acquisition, we encourage students to think critically, question thoughtfully, and investigate thoroughly. We're not telling them what to think but teaching them how to search—how to think for themselves. Like Puddleglum, they learn that the journey matters as much as the destination.
What I love most about Puddleglum's comment is how it captures this distinction so succinctly. His humor masks wisdom—the understanding that seeking truth is an ongoing process. It's not about immediately possessing answers but about committing to the quest.
As our parent book club continues through Narnia, I'm continually grateful for these parents joining me on our exploration. We have so many moments of shared discovery. Together with our children, we're learning that sometimes the most important thing isn't finding the ruined city of giants right away but making the deliberate choice to look for it—and everything that choice entails. In this way, Puddleglum reminds us all—parents, educators, and students alike—that the pursuit of truth begins with the decision to make it our quest.
