But what I remember most about my mother's passion was her love for the works of Roald Dahl: Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The BFG--all vital, indispensable reading in the Canon of Children's Literature. All fantasy. All works requiring the child to push beyond the limitations of the real and into the possibilities of the fantasic. Stories of incredible chocolate factories with chocolate waterfalls and Square Candies That Look Round. Tales of children being turned into mice by claw-fingered witches with squared feet. Yarns of cheeky little girls defeating wicked headmistresses with cleverness and a bit of magic.
I was hooked.
I devoured works of fantasy like Bruce Bogtrotter and a chocolate cake. I graduated from the works of Dahl to Rowling and Riordan, then to the Professors Lewis and Tolkien. Then to Prachett.
Jordan.
Sanderson.
In a sense, I can track my entire life through these authors, each of their works shaping my understanding of myself and the possibilities of the real world through their creations of fantasy. Their heroes exemplified the virtues that became paramount in my understanding of what it means to achieve excellence.
And it all began with my mother and Roald Dahl. And perhaps this show may be the introduction to Mr. Dahl for children in the audience. If so, I hope I can fulfill my obligation to induct them into the realm of fantasy as my mother did for me all those years ago.
Enjoy the show.
Trey Rutherford
P.S. This one is for you, Mom. I love you!
