What really happens is that the story-maker proves a successful 'sub-creator'. He makes a Secondary World which your mind can enter. Inside it, what he relates is 'true': it accords with the laws of that world. You therefore believe it, while you are, as it were, inside. The moment disbelief arises, the spell is broken; the magic, or rather art, has failed. You are then out in the Primary World again, looking at the little abortive Secondary World from outside.
J. R. R. TolkienThe Road goes ever on and on Down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the Road has gone, And I must follow, if I can, Pursuing it with eager feet, Until it joins some larger way Where many paths and errands meet. And whither then? I cannot say
J. R. R. TolkienEscaping goblins to be caught by wolves!โ he said, and it became a proverb, though we now say โout of the frying-pan into the fireโ in the same sort of uncomfortable situations.
J. R. R. TolkienA story must be told or there'll be no story, yet it is the untold stories that are most moving.
J. R. R. TolkienYes, they are elves," Legolas said. "and they say that you breathe so loud they could shoot you in the dark." Sam hastily covered his mouth.
J. R. R. Tolkien