Author's Note: I'm sorry, but I
wrote this on a whim and in a hurry, so it hasn't been edited
nearly as much as it ought to be. If you see any grammatical errors
or other things that could be improved, I would very much appreciate
it if you mentioned it in a review. Thanks a million! I greatly
admire those of you who are kind and considerate enough to take the
time to review. By the way, the title was taken, also on a whim, from
a song by the band Jars of Clay. Not the Backstreet Boys. Just wanted
to make that clear…
Disclaimer: It's not mine, but chances are
you already know that. At least, I do hope so!
Like a Child
Lucy is nine years old. At least, if you were to ask her, that's what she would tell you. But if you asked her, you might notice a brief flicker in her eyes. You might notice that even though she is still smiling a bright, cheerful smile accompanied by dimples in her baby cheeks, she hesitates before answering your question. You might even notice that even though she says, "I'm nine," there's something in her voice that makes you feel as though she isn't quite sure that she is giving you the right answer.
Lucy has never been outside of England. But hearing the stories she tells, you might begin to wonder. As she talks about how thrilling it was to watch the cheetahs speed off quick as lightning, you might ask her if she's been to Africa. And she would probably say something like, "Oh, no! I've never even been off this big island!" She would laugh as she said that, and you would feel a little silly and more than a little confused. You might suppose that she was making her stories up, but somehow it's much harder not to believe her stories than it is to believe them. She has a childlike sincerity and honesty, and so you feel that all she is telling you must be true, outrageous as it may be. You would probably try not to think about it too much, because you would hate to think that Lucy Pevensie was a liar.
Lucy is always saying, "Remember when…?" and then letting the end of her question trail off. But since her "remember when's" are usually addressed to her siblings, it doesn't matter. Her brothers will immediately jump in, saying, "Oh yes!" or "Of course! It was that time when we were…" or "Wasn't that funny?" Even her sister will smile and nod and get a faraway look in her eyes. These Remember When Memories are brought up by the strangest things, like electric torches and suits of armor and most especially lions. And somehow, the siblings always know what Lucy is referring to, even though she hardly ever finishes her question. Come to think of it, none of them ever specifically say exactly what they are remembering. They speak rapidly in somewhat vague terms and let many sentences trail off. Perhaps it's just because they are so enthusiastic that they forget to communicate properly. Perhaps not.
Lucy is a child, but sometimes you might almost doubt that this is so. She is childlike in her innocence and joy, but you would probably get the impression that though she is a child, her childlikeness doesn't have much to do with her age. Though she is certainly childlike, she is never at all childish. Also, if you were to catch her at the right moment, you might see her looking wistful. And though her face would be the same, with round cheeks and freckles sprinkled over the small nose, you might notice that she does not look like a child wishing for something, but a grown woman thinking on things of the past.
Lucy is nine years old, and if you were to ask her, she would tell you so. But chances are, if you were to get to know her, you would be hard-pressed to truly believe it.