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Chesterton, G K - Orthodoxy - Life is as precious as it is puzzling
Identifier
015037
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
Orthodoxy – G. K. Chesterton
The strongest emotion was that life was as precious as it was puzzling. It was an ecstasy because it was an adventure; it was an adventure because it was an opportunity.
The goodness of the fairy tale was not affected by the fact that there might be more dragons than princesses; it was good to be in a fairy tale. The test of all happiness is gratitude; and I felt grateful, though I hardly knew to whom.
Children are grateful when Santa Claus puts in their stockings gifts of toys or sweets. Could I not be grateful to Santa Claus when he put in my stockings the gift of two miraculous legs? We thank people for birthday presents of cigars and slippers.
Can I thank no one for the birthday present of birth?