Wendy, Wendy, when you are sleeping in your silly bed you might be flying about with me saying funny things to the stars.
James M. BarrieRead
Everytime a child says 'I don't believe in fairies' there is a a little fairy somewhere that falls down dead.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the idea that belief fuels existence, especially in the realm of imagination and innocence.
James M. Barrie's quote suggests that the act of disbelief can have profound consequences, particularly when it comes to the world of fantasy and childhood innocence. When children dismiss the existence of fairies, it symbolizes their loss of belief in wonder and magic, which in turn leads to a metaphorical death of such enchantments. This highlights the importance of belief in sustaining the imagination and the beauty of childhood.
Themes
BeliefInnocenceImaginationFairyChildhood
In practice
Example use cases
A teacher might use this quote to inspire students to believe in their ideas and creativity.
More from James M. Barrie
All quotes βHis lordship may compel us to be equal upstairs, but there will never be equality in the servants' hall.
James M. BarrieRead
The secret of happiness is not in doing what one likes, but in liking what one does.
James M. BarrieRead
Never ascribe to an opponent motives meaner than your own.
James M. BarrieRead
It was then that Hook bit him. Not the pain of this but its unfairness was what dazed Peter. It made him quite helpless. He could only stare, horrified. Every child is affected thus the first time he is treated unfairly. All he thinks he has a right to when he comes to you to be yours is fairness. After you have been unfair to him he will love you again, but he will never afterwards be quite the same boy. No one ever gets over the first unfairness; no one except Peter.
James M. BarrieRead
But the years came and went without bringing the careless boy; and when they met again Wendy was a married woman, and Peter was no more to her than a little dust in the box in which she had kept her toys.
James M. BarrieRead
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