A rhinoceros is as ugly as a human being, and it too is going to die, but at least it never thinks that it is beautiful.
Peter S. BeagleThis creature is the Pooka. Pay no mind to the shape he wears, for heโs none of his own, and no soul either. Ware him ever, trust him never, but when the windโs right he has his uses. Never forget that you will never know him. The Pookaโs mystery even to the Pooka.
Peter S. BeagleWhat happened instead was that the tree fell in love with him and began to murmur fondly of the joy to be found in the eternal embrace of a red oak. "Always, always," it sighed, "faithful beyond any man's deserving. I will keep the color of your eyes when no other in the world remembers your name. There is no immortality but a tree's love.
Peter S. BeagleIf she had touched me," he said very softly, "I would have been hers and not my own, not ever again. I wanted her to touch me but I could not let her. No cat will. We let human beings caress us because it is pleasant enough and calms them - but not her. The price is more than a cat can pay.
Peter S. Beagle