Evening found them at another hostel very much like Learning Inn. In the now familiar way, Seth rested, ate, visited, and finally made his way with Maturity to the theater. When everyone was settled, the lights dimmed and the curtains opened.
On the stage were two series of people, one of men and one of women. Both were similar in that they represented a progression from a newborn baby to a crawling child, to an older child, to a teenager, to a young adult, and finally to an older adult. The actors neither moved nor spoke, and the curtain stayed open for some time.
"This is a somewhat different type of message, tonight," said Maturity. "I'll explain the meaning of the scenes as we go along. First, you should know that the King expects each citizen to grow. When you first stepped across the chasm, you were like that baby, not knowing anything and not being able to take care of yourself. But as you travel through the Kingdom, you should be growing in understanding and ability, just as surely as the baby grows to a child and eventually to a mature adult."
The curtain closed as he spoke, but immediately opened to another scene. This time, there was a single baby on the stage.
"Unfortunately," said Maturity, "Some citizens do not grow as they should. In fact, some stay babies, forever. You remember Settled, of course?"
"Of course," said Seth.
"Well, she is still a baby in the ways of the Kingdom. Because she failed to explore and learn more about life here, she doesn't really fit in. That is unfortunate for her but, relating to our last lesson, can you see how it affects you, also?"
"Of course. It's the same lesson as in the Petrified Forest. Since we are a body, everything she does - or doesn't do - affects me. It either makes Kingdom life better or worse."
"Very true," said Maturity. "And besides the bad effect a perpetual baby has on the Kingdom, it is a very dangerous position to be in. It is unnatural not to grow, and sometimes failure to grow means death. In this case, 'death' comes because 'the baby' forgets the value of being on this side of the chasm and wanders back to the other side, out of the protection of the King. As bad as the other side is initially, it is far worse when one returns to it!"
Obviously, the managers of the learning stop anticipated much discussion at this point, because only then did the curtains close. They opened to a scene much like the first, except that the people were spread across the stage with great gaps between each person in the series.
"I think I can see this one," said Seth. "This shows that some citizens do grow, but not at the rate they should. Is that right?"
"Very good. And although they are growing, their lack of attention to their 'studies' - their nourishment, we might say - means that it will be a long time before they take their rightful places in the Kingdom. Again, you can see the problem if we consider that we all function together as a body."
"Yes, I can see that, but I don't see how growth can be so slow. In the human body, it is just natural to grow."
"True, and I suppose the comparison breaks down a little at this point. But actually, it has to do with the level of nutrition. The slow grower is just not eating enough - not learning at the speed the King expects. Or, he may not be eating everything on his plate - in other words, he may be neglecting certain lessons that are important to his understanding of life in the Kingdom. Food is not just food. In order to get all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients a body needs, you have to eat a variety of things."
There was no more time for talk, because the curtain had closed and re-opened, revealing three different scenes on stage. In the background was being shown a film of an amusement park roller coaster rising to great heights, diving into deep valleys, climbing again to the heights, and on and on. On one side of the stage, a man stood behind a railing that hid most of his body. He jumped forward and obviously landed on a platform, because only his feet were hidden from sight. He jumped off the other side, and again was almost out of sight. He repeated this several times.
On the other side of the stage, a woman sat down before an empty plate, knife and fork in hand. Next to her was a plate piled high with candy and jelly donuts. She moved to it and quickly ate everything, then she moved to another empty plate, then to another full of donuts and candy, and so forth across the stage.
"Have you some thoughts on this scene?" Maturity asked Seth. Seth shook his head, so Maturity continued. "This is representative of something that seems to happen all too often, a kind of growth pattern that one doesn't see in the actual human body. In this situation, as represented by the roller coaster and the jumping man, the person seems to be making great strides, only to fall back again to an apparently less enlightened state than before. He puts forth another burst of apparent growth, but then returns to a former level."
"What causes this?"
"It's the result of improper attitudes, of learning in spurts. The roller coaster citizen gets a particular insight into Kingdom life, finds a new 'truth', and dashes off to put it into effect. In doing so, he ignores for awhile all other aspects of living on this side of the chasm, and puts his full efforts into this one new thing. He may be the proverbial 'ball of fire,' for awhile. But soon he gets bored or discouraged and stops learning temporarily, waiting for the next new 'truth'."
"I'm not sure I understand what you're saying," said Seth.
Maturity paused for a moment, seeking an illustration. "Try this," he said, finally. "It is good to attend learning stops, such as this one. But attending learning stops is only one way to participate in Kingdom life. Suppose I went to learning stops every afternoon and every evening for a month?"
"You would probably learn a lot."
"True, but I would also miss a lot, because there must be time to read The King's Handbook, to think about what I've learned, and to meet with other people."
"I see," said Seth.
"Do you see how concentrating on just one thing could make me lose my perspective, and might actually make me discouraged, confused, bored, or exhausted so that I might give it all up for awhile?"
"I suppose I do. And then you would have to waste time re-learning things, again."
"That's right. Now, to relate to the third part of the scene: can you see how the 'donut dieter' is first periodically over-indulging; second, not getting a balanced diet; and third, wasting a lot of effort with her lack of consistency?"
"Yes, I can see that. And now that you explain it, I can remember seeing many examples of the same thing on the other side of the chasm. People get carried away about things - sometimes to fanatical levels, I think - and forget everything else. They do lose their perspective."
"True, it's very prevalent outside the Kingdom, and many people bring the habit along with them, forgetting that this is an entirely new life."
While they were talking, the curtains had closed and the auditorium lights had come on, again. They rose, and followed the crowd back toward the inn. Suddenly, Maturity stopped.
"One last illustration," he said. "I've thought of another way to put it that might help you see the need for consistent and proper development. Are you too tired for more?"
"No, of course not. Go ahead."
They started to walk again, as Maturity talked. "Think of yourself as a builder. You have the right foundation, already. You got that by crossing the chasm and entering the Kingdom. But a foundation is not a house, and you still need to put up walls and a roof. Do you follow me?"
"Of course."
"All right. You can get the right materials - strong timbers and good shingles - and build a strong and sturdy house the first time. On the other hand, you can build a house faster using tar paper and two-by-fours. The catch is that the tar paper house may come down in the first strong wind or heavy rain, and you will find yourself out in the cold again. Taking a little longer with the right tools and the right building supplies turns out to be best, after all."
The door to the inn was before them. "Any questions?" asked Maturity.
"No," replied Seth. "I'll try to do things right the first time! Good night.”
***
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