A short story is the ultimate close-up magic trick -- a couple of thousand words to take you around the universe or break your heart.
Neil GaimanRead
Birds are the last of the dinosaurs. Tiny velociraptors with wings. Devouring defenseless wiggly things and, and nuts, and fish, and, and other birds. They get the early worms. And have you ever watched a chicken eat? They may look innocent, but birds are, well, they're vicious.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the predatory nature of birds, connecting them to their ancient dinosaur ancestors.
In this quote, Neil Gaiman highlights the often-overlooked brutality of birds, juxtaposing their perceived innocence with their predatory instincts. By referencing their lineage as dinosaurs, particularly velociraptors, Gaiman invites us to reconsider our view of these creatures, showing that even as they exhibit charming behavior, they are still fierce hunters, capable of consuming the vulnerable in their environment.
Themes
BirdsNaturePredationDinosaursVelociraptors
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the role of predators in ecosystems.
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