An allegory is similar to a parable in that both illustrate a truth. However, a parable is a fictitious story, while an allegory is something that exists in life and is used to depict a truth. While searching the internet for more information on allegories, I found The Official Allegory Homepage (let's not discuss the fact that this is a musical group's website!) On this homepage there was an example of the use of allegory: "The interior of the soul has an architecture. Wander amidst the soaring arches, vaulted corridors, polished marble columns, and cracked, granite streets of the psyche. Every stone hums, the city of the soul vibrates. All of it speaks of the interior of the eternal."

In the Bible and some books, allegory is used to illustrate a spiritual truth or generalization. When I was a child, I read a very entertaining series of books by C.S. Lewis titled "The Tales of Narnia." Every book in the series involved a journey, a quest or battle to overcome, and the main characters were always united in the "highlands" (Heaven). The main characters were children and a lion named Aslan, who was the king of Narnia. Aslan was a representation of God and of course the children were a depiction of the children of God. When I read the Tales of Narnia as a child it was obvious to me that there was a spiritual meaning behind the story. As an adult I realize The Tales of Narnia are an allegory of the soul's journey toward's God.

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