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
Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Fairy tales convey hope and the possibility of overcoming challenges.
In this quote, Neil Gaiman emphasizes the deeper significance of fairy tales beyond their fantastical elements. While they introduce mythical creatures like dragons, their true power lies in the message that no matter how daunting obstacles may seem, there is always the potential for triumph. Fairy tales inspire us to confront our fears and challenges, reinforcing a belief in our ability to overcome adversity.
Themes
Fairy TalesDragonsOvercoming ChallengesInspirationHope
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during a motivational speech to encourage personal resilience.
More from Neil Gaiman
All quotes →Jesus. Low-Key Lyesmith," said Shadow. and then he heard what he was saying and he understood. "Loki," he said. "Loki Lie-smith." "You're slow," said Loki, "but you get there in the end." And his lips twisted into a scarred smile and the embers danced in the shadows of his eyes.
Neil GaimanRead
As a teenager I wrote to R.A. Lafferty. And he responded, too, with letters that were like R.A. Lafferty short stories, filled with elliptical answers to straight questions and simple answers to complicated ones.
Neil GaimanRead
The important thing to understand about American history, wrote Mr. Ibis, in his leather-bound journal, is that it is fictional, a charcoal-sketched simplicity for the children, or the easily bored.
Neil GaimanRead
Nothing’s changed. You’ll go home. You’ll be bored. You’ll be ignored. No one will listen to you, really listen to you. You’re too clever and too quiet for them to understand. They don’t even get your name right.
Neil GaimanRead
I like the stars. It's the illusion of permanence, I think. I mean, they're always flaring up and caving in and going out. But from here, I can pretend...I can pretend that things last. I can pretend that lives last longer than moments. Gods come, and gods go. Mortals flicker and flash and fade. Worlds don't last; and stars and galaxies are transient, fleeting things that twinkle like fireflies and vanish into cold and dust. But I can pretend.
Neil GaimanRead
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