Much-Afraid is a crippled orphan living in the Valley of Humiliation, burdened by her Fearing relatives and a physical deformity. When the Chief Shepherd invites her to his Kingdom in the High Places, he promises her the hinds’ feet necessary to navigate the steep, rocky terrain. Accompanied by two guides named Sorrow and Suffering, she travels through the Desert of Tribulation and across the Shores of Loneliness. Along the way, she must surrender her natural desires and physical limitations to the Shepherd, ultimately undergoing a symbolic transformation where she receives a new name.
This allegory serves readers seeking a visual representation of Christian sanctification and the inner life. It translates abstract theological concepts like submission, endurance, and divine love into a physical narrative. People read this story to find a framework for understanding personal hardship and emotional pain as tools for spiritual maturity. The reader finishes the book with a specific vocabulary for categorizing their own internal struggles against fear and pride, viewing these obstacles as necessary steps toward a higher state of devotion and peace.
Inward-looking, contemplative and clear-cut; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Empathetic Explorer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 1955
- Language
- EN
