Every story has a beginning. And whether it’s something like “A man walks into a bar…” or “Once upon a time…”, there’s hope for wonderful things to come.

There’s nothing like opening a new book and reading the first delicious lines, or hearing the first words of an audiobook or seeing the first image of a movie. They all tell their own story and invite us into a different world.

I’ve got loads of favorite beginnings, but my number one is always the opening of C.S. Lewis’ THE LION, THE WITCH & THE WARDROBE, when the four siblings arrive at the professor’s home in the country, Lucy disappears into the wardrobe and then there’s that wonderful last line:

“Goodness gracious me!” exclaimed the Faun.

Goodness gracious me, indeed.

What’s your favorite beginning?