“Nothing comes from nothing, Thieflet; no story comes from nowhere; new stories are born from old--it is the new combinations that make them new.” (pg. 86)
- This quote explains how new stories come to be. It explains that all stories come from somewhere. They are made from the combination of existing stories and create new, exciting stories for all to enjoy.
“Believe in your own eyes and you'll get into a lot of trouble, hot water, a mess.” (pg. 63)
- This excerpt shares that you must see beyond what is physically in front of you. It says that if you only see with the naked eye, you will miss out on a lot of things in life.
“What's the use of stories that aren't even true?" (pg. 22)
- Mr. Sengupta shares this in the early parts of the story. He is skeptical of the power of his father's stories and starts to question Rashid's passion of storytelling. He will later discover the true meaning of stories to the world.
“He knew what he knew: that the real world was full of magic, so magical worlds could easily be real.” (pg. 50)
- This statement explains that magic in our world (e.g. miracles) can exist in other places as well. Therefore, other worlds could have magic in different forms and could be considered magical worlds to us.
“Happy endings must come at the end of something,' the Walrus pointed out. 'If they happen in the middle of a story, or an adventure, or the like, all they do is cheer things up for awhile.” (pg. 202)
- Walrus explains this to Haroun near the end of the story. If happiness comes in the middle of a story, something else bad must happen to continue the story. A happy ending gives eternal happiness to the characters.
- This quote explains how new stories come to be. It explains that all stories come from somewhere. They are made from the combination of existing stories and create new, exciting stories for all to enjoy.
“Believe in your own eyes and you'll get into a lot of trouble, hot water, a mess.” (pg. 63)
- This excerpt shares that you must see beyond what is physically in front of you. It says that if you only see with the naked eye, you will miss out on a lot of things in life.
“What's the use of stories that aren't even true?" (pg. 22)
- Mr. Sengupta shares this in the early parts of the story. He is skeptical of the power of his father's stories and starts to question Rashid's passion of storytelling. He will later discover the true meaning of stories to the world.
“He knew what he knew: that the real world was full of magic, so magical worlds could easily be real.” (pg. 50)
- This statement explains that magic in our world (e.g. miracles) can exist in other places as well. Therefore, other worlds could have magic in different forms and could be considered magical worlds to us.
“Happy endings must come at the end of something,' the Walrus pointed out. 'If they happen in the middle of a story, or an adventure, or the like, all they do is cheer things up for awhile.” (pg. 202)
- Walrus explains this to Haroun near the end of the story. If happiness comes in the middle of a story, something else bad must happen to continue the story. A happy ending gives eternal happiness to the characters.