CHARLIE.

There’s a point in Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka.

The film, I mean.

The original film.

With Gene Wilder.

(What a guy).

There is a point that I find quite interesting.

Willy Wonka.

It’s right near the end of the film.

Willy Wonka sits opposite Charlie.

Having made a decision.

And he has just told Charlie of it.

Mr. Wonka has at that moment told Charlie he is giving the Chocolate Factory to him.

And Charlie is happy.

Paralysingly.

Mouth-droppingly.

Happy.

Tone.

But then the tone changes.

And Mr. Wonka leans in.

Close to Charlie.

Looks him in the eyes.

And says this.

Don’t forget what happened to the man who got everything he ever wanted.

And that’s when we start to worry.

That’s when Charlie starts to worry.

It’s instinctive.

Charlie has everything he has ever wanted.

Life is so good!

So what was Mr. Wonka going to say?

Willy Wonka followed up with this:

He lived happily ever after.

And Willy Wonka smiled.

Charlie. 

We’re all a bit like Charlie, I think.

We worry.

We worry that what we have will be taken away.

But that.

I think.

Shows us how grateful we should be for what we have right now.

It’s not perfect.

But yes.

We’re OK.

So let’s see if we can live happily ever after too.

At least for today.