Since early childhood, I have always loved the movie, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. As an adult, I appreciate the genius of it even more now that I fully understand the heartfelt messages it conveyed. Many deep truths about the character of people were conveyed throughout that enchanting tale.
In a rather amusing and entertaining way the author created characters we could all relate to — people who represented the various flaws we find in those who lack good character.
The most annoying person in the movie for me was a young girl named Veruca Salt. Veruca’s father was an extremely wealthy businessman who had successfully raised one of the most impertinent daughters in history. An ungrateful, and dreadfully impatient little girl who wanted everything, and wanted it now, Veruca felt entitled to all of it. She ranted throughout her pivotal moment on screen with the classic words, “I want it now daddy, I want it now.”
Then went into the hilarious and whimsical song, I Want It Now, which further displayed her total self-absorption.
The scene ends with her chasing a golden egg, and climbing onto a special scale that determined whether an egg was good or bad. She had proven to be a “bad egg,” and was sent down a chute where all “bad eggs” go. For the viewer, there was certainly a sense of justice in that scene that made you feel good; it reinforced the need to behave appropriately.
The palm is supple and willing to bend in a storm, not insisting on its own way, and therefore still stands when the storm is over.
Though merely a fictional tale, it accurately portrayed a very real type of person in our midst. Sadly, the mentality of Veruca Salt has permeated our cultural mindset as many have grown into stubborn, insubordinate and highly inflexible people who feel they deserve everything now.
If you were to compare the main characters in the movie to a tree you might say that Veruca Salt is a bit like an oak tree in that she was inflexible. The main character of the story Charlie Bucket, was a soft and kind-hearted boy who was only too happy to please. He resembled that of the palm tree; the palm is supple and willing to bend in a storm, not insisting on its own way, and therefore still stands when the storm is over.
By being subordinate and flexible, Charlie inherits the entire Chocolate Factory from Mr. Wonka, who was looking for a worthy heir. Wonka secretly put all of the children in the movie through a character test without them being aware of it.
In the same manner, when we remain subordinate to the will of God, we will then pass the character test that He puts all of His children through. When we do, we will live to see the fulfillment of His promises. We will also inherit the kingdom of God, which was always His intention to give to those who trust in Him and remain flexible in His service.
©Copyright 2016, Zoro The Drummer, All rights reserved
