Are Giants Falling From The Sky Yet?

We have all heard the warning “be careful what you wish for”. Stephen Sondheim reminds us, using the most basic of story forms that wishes have consequences, in his musical Into the Woods. Sondheim brings together several well-known fairytales, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella and Rapunzel into a funny and poignant musical yarn for adults.

The lasting lesson is that each of the characters want something more from life, something that they believe they lack, that this will make their lives complete.  By the end of the first act they have all had their wishes granted and should thus be living happily ever after. However, this is the real world and everything has a consequence.

The paths we choose and the manner in which we attempt to attain our desires have an impact on others and ourselves. This is obviously not a new idea, though it would seem that the concept of actual accountability is something that many adults will do almost anything to avoid and ignore. Take the Epstein files and those in ‘elite’ powerful circles who are caught up in this vile network of villainy, including ‘our own’ royal family, politicians and businessmen. The similarities with fairytale characters is remarkable.

The arrogant entitlement of princes, the scheming consumption of the wolf, the wicked stepmother enslaving children, the witch locking away a child, the baker and his wife so desperate for their own happiness that they will do anything. The foolish Jack who will steal to impress, not simply survive and will sell his best friend for a few beans. The vacuous stepsisters who delight in despise and the steward “I don’t make policy, I just carry it out”.  The young girls, becoming young women, who are prevented from exploring who they are and might be. Jack’s widowed mother, frustrated by her inept son and struggling to survive in a system that actually does not reward hard work.

Fairytales were always meant to be broad warnings about life, identifying common fears and making light of them. The journey to adulthood is far from an easy one, we all go into the woods and despite healthy feelings of anxiety tell ourselves that “the woods are just trees, the trees are just wood”. Denial, as any therapist will tell you, is an incredibly powerful force.

Still, we live at a time when liars are in power (or seek it) and will do whatever they can to protect their own interests and have little, if any,  regard for yours and mine. Truth has become shaped by those who own the looking glass, poisoned apples are sold by the basket. Vanity, greed, envy and power have welcomed hatred and truth is the victim that lies centre stage whilst stepped over, around and ignored.

We all have an ability to resist reality, we are all capable of drawing from the deep well of denial, but a proper conversation about your values and hopes for life means confronting some truths, choices, paths and crossroads. Your financial plan might be a map in a deeply flawed Kingdom, but you still get to make the choices, select the path and decide what is important, necessary and actually fulfilling. Be wary of those playing the proverbial golden harp of things you wish to hear – comforting lies – and those offering a constant supply of golden eggs, the truth is that our choices have consequences, both personally, locally and internationally.  A great financial plan isn’t wishful thinking, it’s grounded in your values and adapting to the unfolding reality. It is your story.

Over the coming months, hopefully (please) we will see some justice, but beware of giants falling from the sky – they leave an impression.

Some 40 years after its premier, Into The Woods directed by Jordan Fein is currently performed at The Bridge Theatre (near Tower Bridge) and is a marvellous production. Kate Fleetwood plays an impressive Witch with a real ensemble cast. Into the Woods runs until Saturday 30^th May 2026. The performance that I saw was fabulous, click this link for (tickets)  and here is the official trailer.

Careful the things you say, children will listen. Careful the things you do,
Children will see and learn. Children may not obey, but children will listen. Children will look to you for which way to turn, to learn what to be. Careful before you say, “Listen to me.” Children will listen.

Stephen Sondheim, Into The Woods (1986)

#Release the Epstein files.