The True Meaning Of Polar Express By Chris Van Allsburg

“Seeing is believing, but sometimes the real things in the world are the things we can’t see” This quote was created by the fantastic book and motion picture Polar Express written by Chris Van Allsburg. Polar express is about a boy who is skeptical of the true meaning of Christmas. Because of his skeptics, he takes an Amazing adventure on a magic train which teaches him the importance of friendship, having an imagination, and the true meaning of Christmas.

The main character of Polar Express, whose name is not mentioned, boards a magic train which heads to the North Pole. While riding, the boy has many lesson filled, unexplained events. One event that takes place is the main boy completely stops the train with good intentions to let a little boy named Billy on the train. Once Billy had gotten on a train the main character did not

realize that that as the start of one of the best friendships he would ever have. As they finally arrive to the North Pole the main character, a girl, and billy get separated from the group after trying to get billy off the train and take part in the once in a lifetime experience of seeing Santa. Getting back to the group after many encounters with the customs of the North, the main character realizes that spending those amazing experiences with friends made it a more memorable and incredible phenomenon that he would never forget.
After getting back to the group of kids, they waited patiently for Santa to appear for his long journey.

As the reindeer got hooked up to the sleigh the helpful elves shook the bells on the reins, as they shook them everyone made a large uproar of joyful cheers and laughter. The main boy realizes that he is unable to hear the wonderful sounds made by the bells. As the bells are shaken more and more one particular silver bell falls from the harness and rolls right to the boy, he picks it up and shakes it and hears nothing, he repeats to himself “i believe, i believe.” he shakes it once more and finally hears it’s sweet sound. Hearing the bell and seeing Santa Claus, finally diminished his doubts about the magic of the Polar Express, Christmas, and Santa. Just before heading home the boy realizes he had lost the bell given to him by Santa. On Christmas morning his sister found one small box under the tree with the silver bell inside with a note from Santa, reassuring to the boy that his journey was real and in fact not a dream, and reminding him that seeing is believing. Even as an adult the boy could still hear the bells beautiful

sound.
The first time the boy stepped foot on the train he had doubts about the existence of Santa, The “magic” of the Polar Express, and even Christmas. Meeting new friends to teach him about the importance of spending great experiences together, hearing the sweet sound of Santa’s sleigh bells, and seeing Santa Claus through his own eyes revealed the true meaning of Christmas to the boy. It wasn’t about the presents you received but spending the wonderful time with family and friends and giving to those we love and cherish.
“Seeing is believing, but sometimes the real things in the world are the things we can’t see.” This ties back to the lessons the main character learned while on his long but wonder filled journey the importance of friendship, having an imagination and believing in things you can’t always see, and the true meaning of Christmas.