Finally - Achieved: Reading the Lord of the Rings

I'm on holiday! Yeay!

I've finally finished reading the Lord of the Rings. Some parts really struck my mind and made me forget that I'm reading a novel, not a spiritual reading.

One particular part was in the first book when Frodo asked Gandalf on why he was chosen. However, I can't remember the page number so I can't write much about it! It really reminds me about Vocation - calling from God, how sometimes we feel so little that God has chosen us to partake in an important mission, but seriously, it doesn't matter that we're small and not of the top quality as He will give us the grace to do it.

Here are some other parts that I love (and remember - because I wrote the page number in my phone):

'The Paths of the Dead?' said Pippin. 'I heard Aragorn say that, and I wondered what he could mean. Won't you tell us some more?'

'Not willingly,' said Gimli. 'For upon that road I was put to shame: Gimli Gloin's son, who had deemed himself more tough than Men, and hardier under earth than any Elf. But neither did I prove; and I was held to the road only by the will of Aragorn'.

'And by the love of him also,' said Legolas. 'For all those who come to know him come to love him after their own fashion, even the cold maiden of the Rohirrim....'

(The Return of the King)

I love this conversation because it reminds me of many times in my life when I feel forced to do something initially, but how at the end I do it willingly out of love. I've heard it many times among couples too, like how my friend who used to shop dresses quite frequently reduced her shopping frenzy out of love for her husband. I heard an anecdote about a married couple who have been watching bull-fighting for the longest time thinking that the other half loves it. So both of them actually didn't like bull-fighting.

I love another piece of conversation between Gimli and Legolas as they entered Minas Tirith.

'There is some good stone-work here,' he said as he looked at the walls; 'but also some that is less good, and the streets could be better contrived. When Aragorn comes into his own, I shall offer him the service of stonewrights of the Mountain, and we will make this a town to be proud of.'

'They need more gardens,' said Legolas. 'The houses are dead, and there is too little here that grows and is glad. If Aragorn comes into his own, the people of the Wood shall bring him birds that sing and trees that do not die.'

(The Return of the King)

This conversation is an example of "job 'hazard' ", how our training, job, and passion affects how we observe our surroundings (in a positive manner). I remember during my research days, every time I heard children switch between two languages (especially between English and Mandarin - as that was my research work), I started to analyse the structure of the code-switching. When my boyfriend and I go out, we will really spot the animals around us (as a biologist, it's part of his training to learn to spot animal).