Who can forget orange-faced Oompa Loompas singing and dancing? Or when Charlie opens up a corner of a chocolate bar and sees a peek of a golden ticket to visit Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory? Who can forget Charlie dancing with his Grandpa in their poor circumstances, hopeful of a brighter day?
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is one of my all-time favorite films. But it was only recently that I discovered wisdom and life lessons in it.
I want to jump to the end of the movie but first I need to explain that there are different obstacles or temptations in the film for the “golden ticket” participants of Willy Wonka’s contest for a lifetime supply of chocolate. Who doesn’t long for a lifetime of free chocolate? I know I do.
Well, from the opening of the chocolate bar with the golden ticket, a creepy character named Slugworth, enters the scenes. He whispers in the ears of Charlie and the other participants that if they can give Slugworth an Everlasting Gobstopper, then they would be rich.
During the tour of the Chocolate Factory, Charlie and the others have an opportunity to snatch an Everlasting Gobstopper. We see the other participants drop out of the race for a lifetime of chocolate through a variety of means that exposes their true character. Greed, avarice…. Whether it was a goose that laid golden eggs, or a piece of gum that turned its chewer into a large blueberry, no one could stay the course except for humble Charlie.
By the end of the film, it seems evident that Charlie will gain a lifetime of chocolate. But that’s when the movie takes a twist. When the Grandpa inquires as to when Charlie will receive his chocolate inheritance, Willy Wonka says, “You lose! Good day, sir!” We can see Charlie leave Mr. Willy Wonka’s office with a heavy heart. Then Charlie turns around and silently slides an Everlasting Gobstopper onto Mr. Wonka’s desk.
Much to Charlie’s surprise, Willy Wonka becomes very animated and exclaimed, “Charlie, You won! You did it! You did it! I just knew you would!” Then Mr. Wonka has Mr. Slugworth come in, who was an employee of Mr. Wonka all along, to test the participants to see who was truly worthy of the prize,
Then, an exultant moment begins while Mr. Wonka and Charlie and Grandpa go on a magic elevator that can move in all directions, to show Charlie that he has won much more than a lifetime supply of chocolate. Charlie has won all that Mr. Wonka has. He is the next heir to the Chocolate Factory.
Now, wasn’t that worth it, the test, in comparison to all that Charlie won? Isn’t this life or test worth it, to win all the Creator or Universe has, and is anxious to give to us?
On dark, discouraging days, which we all have, take heart. Each of us has a golden ticket, or opportunity to prove ourselves. I believe there is a benevolent force in the Universe that will richly reward us in our efforts.
Don’t give up hope. A lifetime supply of chocolate or your wildest dreams may be just around the corner. Never forget, they are around the corner.
