Lloyd Alexander (1924 – 2007)
Widely-influential American author of more than forty books, mostly fantasy novels for children and adolescents, as well as several adult books.
Most of us are called on to perform tasks far beyond what we believe we can do. Our capabilities seldom match our aspirations, and we are often woefully unprepared. To this extent, we are all Assistant Pig-Keepers at heart.
“Count yourself lucky,” the potter went on, “that you have understood this now and not spent your years in vain hope. This much have you learned, and no learning is wasted.”
If I fret over tomorrow, I'll have little joy today.
“How then?” Taran asked. “Could The Book of Three deceive you?”
“No, it could not.” Dallben said. “The book is thus called because it tells all three parts of our lives: the past, the present, and the future. But it could as well be called a book of ‘if.’ If you had failed at your tasks; if you had followed an evil path; if you had been slain; if you had not chosen as you did — a thousand ‘ifs,’ my boy, and many times a thousand. The Book of Three can say no more than ‘if’ until at the end, of all things that might have been, one alone becomes what really is. For the deeds of a man, not the words of a prophecy, are what shape his destiny.”
“Believe what you like. You'll be surprised how comforting it is.”
“I ask no comfort,” Taran replied, “but the truth, be it harsh or happy.”
If I do find pride, I'll not find it in what I was or what I am, but what I may become. Not in my birth, but in myself.
“It is easy to judge evil unmixed,” replied Gwydion. “But, alas, in most of us good and bad are closely woven as the threads on a loom; greater wisdom than mine is needed for the judging.”
There is truth in all things, if you understand them well.
“Neither refuse to give help when it is needed,” Medwyn continued, “nor refuse to accept it when it is offered.”
We hold each other’s lives in our open hands, not in clenched fists.
We’re neither good nor evil. We’re simply interested in things as they are.
“When I was a child I dreamed of adventure, glory, honor in feats of arms. I think now that these things are shadows.”
“If you see them as shadows then you see them for what they are,” Annlaw agreed. “Many have pursued honor, and in the pursuit lost more of it than ever they could gain.”
A crown is more discomfort than adornment. If you have learned that, you have already learned much.
Are these signs of hope, or do we deceive ourselves by wishing them to be?
“Llonio said life was a net for luck; to Hevydd the Smith life was a forge; and to Dwyvach the Weaver-Woman a loom. They spoke truly, for it is all of these. But you,” Taran said, his eyes meeting the potter’s, “you have shown me life is one thing more. It is clay to be shaped, as raw clay on a potter’s wheel.”
Even in a fantasy realm, growing up is accomplished not without cost.