Don't you know that everybody's got a Fairyland of their own?
P. L. TraversRead
Could it be ... that the hero is one who is willing to set out, take the first step, shoulder something? Perhaps the hero is one who puts his foot upon a path not knowing what he may expect from life but in some way feeling in his bones that life expects something of him.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A hero is someone who takes the initiative despite uncertainty and responds to life's expectations.
In this quote, P. L. Travers suggests that true heroism lies in the ability to embark on a journey without knowing the outcome. It speaks to the courage required to take that initial step into the unknown, driven by an inner sense of duty or expectation from life itself. This defines a hero not by their achievements, but by their willingness to confront what lies ahead and carry the weight of responsibility.
Themes
HeroCourageInitiativeLifeExpectation
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can inspire students on the first day of school to embrace their journey ahead.
More from P. L. Travers
All quotes →Every child needs to have for itself not only its loving parents and siblings and friends of its own age, but a grown-up friend.
P. L. TraversRead
My father died when I was 7. I was his favorite child, and he was my beloved father. I brought him along with me all through my life. Every elderly man has a bit of my father in him for me.
P. L. TraversRead
For me there are no answers, only questions, and I am grateful that the questions go on and on. I don't look for an answer, because I don't think there is one. I'm very glad to be the bearer of a question.
P. L. TraversRead
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