Today we start a new topic looking at 'Story Tellers from Oxford'. In our morning assemblies we are looking at my favourite character from an Oxford author, CS Lewis' mouse, Reepicheep. He has a starring role in the Voyage of the Dawn Treader where he has an ambition to go to the eastern end of the world. He says:
'When I was in my cradle, a wood woman, a Dryad, spoke this verse over me:
"Where sky and water meet
Where the waves grow sweet,
Doubt not, Reepicheep,
To find all your seek,
There is the East."
Reepicheep has an ambition to reach the source of the Sun and Aslan's own country. And for this he needs courage. And Reepicheep's size reminds us that courage can come in small packages. Courage doesn't come from the size of our muscles but by walking the light given to us, even if we can't see the full way ahead. I've called this video, 'Reepicheep's song' as it's a setting of the Prayer of St Patrick but expresses where mice can get their courage from:
Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me and before me. Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in hearts of all who know me. Christ in mouth of friend and stranger, Christ in quiet and in roar.
Love, blessed Trinity of three, Bound in unity Who guides my journey. I will arise with strength of heaven Trusting in Your light To guide my journey Shine before me Lead me home.
Power to guide me, might to hold me, Wisdom teach me, watching o’er me. Ear to hear me, hand to guard me, Love to conquer every fear.