He was reading from the beginning so that he could get to the end, where the reader was assured that the knight and the fair maiden lived together happily ever after.

I always go to the Agriculture Building, where they make apple cider popsicles for a dollar.

Rats have a sense of humor. Rats, in fact think the world is very funny. And they are right, dear reader. They are right.

The world is dark, and light is precious. Come closer, dear reader. You must trust me. I am telling you a story.

I am just always, always paying attention - waiting for the words, or image, or name that will be the beginning of a story.

... every time you look at the world and the people in it closely, lovingly, imaginatively, it changes you. The world, under the microscope of your attention, opens up like a beautiful, strange flower and gives itself back to you in ways you could never imagine.

Say it, reader. Say the word 'quest' out loud. It is an extraordinary word, isn't it? So small and yet so full of wonder, so full of hope.