A girl expecting rescue never learns to save herself. Even with the means, she will find her courage wanting.

Mother didn't understand that children aren't frightened by stories; that their lives are full of far more frightening things than those contained in fairy tales.

...which fairy-tale princess ever chose her maid over her prince?

I've heard it said that children born to stressful times never shake the air of woe . . . .

I sound contemptuous, but I am not. I am interested--intrigued even--by the way time erases real lives, leaving only vague imprints. Blood and spirit fade away so that only names and dates remain.

Reluctance to begin is quick to befriend procrastination. . . .

His words had tossed the book that was her life into the air and the pages had been blown into disarray, could never be put back together to tell the same story.