Give Back the Everlasting Gobstopper

I promise this will be the last blog post containing a Willy Wonka reference – at least for a while.

But today’s Wonka lesson is arguably the most significant one of all. Even more important than, “Burp, Charlie, burp. It’s the only way.”

Life is constantly asking us to decide between right and wrong. You don’t have to be a Willy Wonka fanatic to know that the world has no shortage of liars, cheaters, and self-obsessed narcissists, and that given the choice between right and wrong, most people will side with wrong.

That is why the small virtuous act of returning the everlasting gobstopper earned Charlie Wonka’s entire chocolate fortune.

Upon being handed back the metaphoric candy from Charlie, Wonka utters, “so shines a good deed in a weary world.”

As it turned out, the gobstopper was nothing but a ruse to test Charlie’s loyalty and nobility. The riches promised by Slugworth for Wonka’s everlasting gobstopper were nothing but an illusion. But, of course, Charlie did not know that he was being tested. Nor did he know that there would be a reward for returning the gobstopper. Charlie gave it back, rejecting Slugworth’s bribe, because he knew in his heart that it was the honorable thing to do.

Meanwhile, over the last 47 years, countless millions have watched Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory – all witnessing the rewards of righteousness. Yet, they have learned nothing. When given the opportunity, I am astounded by how many people today cling to the proverbial gobstopper.

It’s as if the world is even wearier in 2018 than it was in 1971.

This brings me to Wonka Lesson #3: JUST GIVE BACK THE DAMN EVERLASTING GOBSTOPPER!

All of the chocolate or money in the world isn’t worth the price of your integrity.

83 blog posts down – 282 left to go…