A long time ago, there was no such thing as school, and children spent their days learning a trade, a phrase which here means "standing around doing tedious tasks under the instruction of a bossy adult." In time, however, people realized that the children could be allowed to sit, and the first school was invented.

Troublesome things tend to remain troublesome no matter how many times you do them.

Unless you have been very, very lucky, you have undoubtedly experienced events in your life that have made you cry. So unless you have been very, very lucky, you know that a good, long session of weeping can often make you feel better, even if your circumstances have not changed one bit.

It was a curious feeling, that something could be so close and so distant at the same time.

If you have ever lost a loved one, then you know exactly how it feels. And if you have not, then you cannot possibly imagine it.

Tell it to everyone you know, but pretend you're kidding.

Sometimes, just saying that you hate something, and having someone agree with you, can make you feel better about a terrible situation.