“‘The Lion’ all began with a picture of a faun carrying an umbrella and parcels in a snowy wood. This picture had been in my mind since I was about sixteen. Then one day, when I was about forty, I said to myself, ‘Let’s try to make a story about it.'”
Image credits：Aronsyne,”Lewis, age 48″,CC BY-SA 4.0,C.S.-Lewis – C. S. Lewis – Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- November 29, 1898 – November 22, 1963
- Born in Ireland
- Writer, scholar
- Had a major influence on fantasy literature and religious thought through his many works, including the Chronicles of Narnia series and The Poetics of Christianity
Quote
“‘The Lion’ all began with a picture of a faun carrying an umbrella and parcels in a snowy wood. This picture had been in my mind since I was about sixteen. Then one day, when I was about forty, I said to myself, ‘Let’s try to make a story about it.'”
Explanation
In this quote, C. S. Lewis reflects on the origin of his famous work, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and the long gestation of the idea before it became a fully realized story. The image of a faun carrying an umbrella and parcels in a snowy wood had been with him for many years, originating in his teenage years, but it wasn’t until he was forty that he decided to develop it into a narrative. Lewis’s story about the creation of Narnia highlights the importance of imagination and how sometimes an idea or image lingers in the mind for years before finding its proper form. This shows that creativity often requires patience, and that ideas can take time to mature before they can become something real and meaningful.
Lewis’s reflection also underscores the unpredictable nature of inspiration—the way certain images or ideas can resonate deeply within us and remain in the subconscious for years, only to emerge when the time is right. For Lewis, the process of creating Narnia was not an instantaneous burst of inspiration, but rather the result of years of reflection, imagination, and a willingness to take the leap and turn a long-held idea into a full-fledged story. The fact that the image of the faun stayed with him for so many years speaks to the enduring power of creative visions and how they can come to life when the creator is ready to pursue them.
In the modern context, this quote serves as a reminder that creativity and inspiration are often not instantaneous but require patience, reflection, and time to develop. For anyone pursuing creative work—whether in writing, art, or any other form—it highlights the importance of nurturing ideas over time and allowing them to unfold naturally, rather than forcing them prematurely. It also emphasizes that ideas and dreams that may seem insignificant or unclear at one point can later become the foundation for something extraordinary when given the time and attention they deserve.
