A story by Russell Hoban and illustrated by Ian Andrew
This is another of the stories we listened to and reflected upon in our House Group recently. I give a summary of the story and then offer a meditation on the story which many of you may enjoy repeating or adapting to your own situation wherever you are in the world. I am sure that those who love reading to young children and teachers of children may like to acquire a copy of the book online.
The Story of Jim’s Lion
Jim is a young boy, a patient in hospital. He is very ill with an unknown illness and has to undergo a number of tests. He is cared for by a nurse whose name is Bami. She is from Africa and has a knowledge of wild animals.
Jim is afraid because in order to have these tests, the doctor will put him to sleep, and although he always finds his way back from sleep, he is not sure that he will find his way back if he is put to sleep by a doctor.
Bami reassures him that he will be fine and that his Finder will find him to bring him back. But who might his Finder be and how will he know? Bami tells him that there are many animals in his head and that one of them is his Finder and that he will know the Finder when the time comes. She too has a Finder, but one must not disclose who the Finder is.
She tells him to relax, close his eyes and to go to his good place. In his mind’s eye he finds himself on the coast, in his favourite place, and walks along the beach. On a hilltop he sees a lion coming towards him. He is afraid and wakes up.
Later Bami gives him a painted Don’t- run- stone to hold firmly in his hand when he is afraid. The next time he goes to his good place, the lion comes towards him. He holds firmly on to his stone. The lion comes closer towards him. ‘Are you my Finder?’ he says to the Lion and reaches out to touch it. Then he wakes up.
Jim is confident that he should have the operation and the doctor and his parents give their consent. It is an operation that has not been tried before but the doctor is confident that Jim is in a good place. Before the operation Bami is with him. Jim closes his eyes and goes to his good place. The lion comes towards him. ‘Good, he says, ‘let’s go.’
They walk along the coast together.
The story jumps to Christmas day in his home. He is fine and with his parents who are happy that he is home. The operation was a success. He receives their presents, a train and a computer. He is sorry that he had not been able to buy them a present. They assure him that having him home and well again, is the best present that they have received.
There is, however, another present for him, from Bami. It is a stone with a message attached which reads:
This is to remember me by.
It is from my good place.
Love xx, Bami
Jim is ill in hospital. 
Jim is afraid that he won’t find his way back from sleep. 
The Finder will come to him in his good place to take him back. 
Bami gives him a Don’t-run-stone to hold when he is afraid. 
The Lion comes towards him. ‘Are you my Finder?’ he asks the Lion. 
He puts his hand out to touch the Lion. 
As he falls asleep under the operation, he goes to his good place and his Finder and he goes walking along the beach. 
The gift of the stone to remember Bami by.
Visualization on Jim’s Lion
Breathing relaxation.
In your mind’s eye go to that place on the coast
or beach where you felt good at some time in the past.
Perhaps a place you retreat to regularly.
A lonely place where you can focus, think.
Allow all your senses to come into play.
Smell, touch, taste – listen to the sounds.
How do you feel in your special place?
– Perhaps a long sky in a summer afternoon –
Rocky outcrops – salt, wind, cry of the sea gulls.
Who is with you, who comes to find you
to call you back from your wandering?
Jim’s Lion came to find him.
Who has come to find you when you
have experienced a deep sense of being lost?
There would have been many moments in your life
when the Finder has come to rescue you;
has come through the dark to find you.
Are you my Finder? Says Jim to the Lion.
Perhaps in that phrase you will see an image
of a teacher, friend, stranger like Bami, an outsider
who has come to you at the right time.
Just keep them present giving thanks for them.
This is to remember me by, says Bami
What is, and what has been your don’t-run-stone
your talisman?
Perhaps some words, a phrase, a phrase from scripture.
Perhaps you can point a to a number of things –
a shell, a stone, a stick, a hat, a cat, a dog.
How domestic animals are so there for us.
Thanksgiving and praise, more than we can utter
be to Thee,
Hound of Heaven;
The Finder who comes for me
in so many different guises..
bobcommin.com 