# “Do you feel yourself sufficient?” by C.S. Lewis

- Link: https://tollelege.net/2015/12/17/do-you-feel-yourself-sufficient-by-c-s-lewis/
- Published: 2015-12-17T17:00:43-06:00
- Author: tollelege

“At the sight of Aslan the cheeks of the Telmarine soldiers became the color of 
cold gravy, their knees knocked together, and many fell on their faces. They had
not believed in lions and this made their fear greater.

Even the Red Dwarfs, who knew that he came as a friend, stood with open mouths and
could not speak. Some of the Black Dwarfs, who had been of Nikabrik’s party, began
to edge away.

But all the Talking Beasts surged round the Lion, with purrs and grunts and squeaks
and whinnies of delight, fawning on him with their tails, rubbing against him, touching
him reverently with their noses and going to and fro under his body and between 
his legs.

If you have ever seen a little cat loving a big dog whom it knows and trusts, you
will have a pretty good picture of their behavior. Then Peter, leading Caspian, 
forced his way through the crowd of animals.

‘This is Caspian, Sir,’ he said.

And Caspian knelt and kissed the Lion’s paw.

‘Welcome, Prince,’ said Aslan. ‘Do you feel yourself sufficient to take up the Kingship
of Narnia?’

‘I— I don’t think I do, Sir,’ said Caspian. ‘I’m only a kid.’

‘Good,’ said Aslan. ‘If you had felt yourself sufficient, it would have been a proof
that you were not. Therefore, under us and under the High King, you shall be King
of Narnia, Lord of Cair Paravel, and Emperor of the Lone Islands. You and your heirs
while your race lasts.’

–C.S. Lewis, _[Prince Caspian (The Chronicles of Narnia)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/0060598247?tag=toletaupanre-20)_(
New York: Harper Collins, 1951), 205-206.

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