Here are some words to ponder from the musical “Into the Woods.” This musical is laden with thought-provoking truths. I don’t want to say too much about this song, but it opened up a whole new world to me today as I listened to it. I considered the excitement that often comes when straying from a path I know. Such detours often lead to fun and excitement, but there is usually some kind of danger involved… perhaps spiritual danger, more often than not. As you listen, consider the feelings you experience when you want more than you should, and you try to take it. Consider the consequences of straying from the boundaries that keep us safe. Consider how nice it is to return to safe paths and to experience the accompanying relief. And consider the part of you that longs for those forbidden paths… the part of you that yearns to live “in between” worlds.
Context: Jack (of the tale Jack and the Beanstalk) is reflecting here on the consequences of his actions. He climbed the beanstalk, made friends with a lady giant, was wooed by her “care”, and eventually scared back to his own world by the realization the giants wanted nothing more than to eat him. Of course, he couldn’t go back without stealing a few items for his mother.