I went to the Panto last week.  It was the last performance of the season, and I very nearly didn’t go because it was a Sunday night and the settee was calling me.

But I’m glad I did.

Not just for the ice cream I scoffed in the interval, or the very heroic rescue by one of my party of a little tot teetering dangerously close to the edge of the balcony, or even the ex boy-band celebrity in the Aladdin starring role (he was a joy).

Sitting there lost in my pantomime moment, booing at the villain with the best of them, singing along in the singalong, and giggling at the “oh no it isn’ts,” the “diamond in the rough” metaphor of this particular story came to mind.

Aladdin is an unpolished stone.  He yearns to shine, to make something of himself, to improve his lot, to fulfil his potential.  And who wouldn’t want to be like him?

• Who wouldn’t want to be the one worthy of being able to unlock a cave of wonders and claiming the treasure within (assuming of course that we would use that treasure for good, without greed taking hold).

• Who among us wouldn’t want to chip away the rough, unpolished bits that stop us from showing to others who we really are?

• Who wouldn’t want to be shiny?

Along the way, Aladdin comes dangerously close to losing it all, but through tenacity, determination, holding true to his values, and of course a little bit of luck from a magic lamp, he succeeds and wins his prize.

He has motivation, commitment, and passion.  And to help him on his journey, he takes his strength from someone who believes in him.  Isn’t that a wonderful combination to help you on your journey?

Oh yes it is.