...now and then a giggling trail of mermaids appeared in our wake. We fed them oatmeal.

One can't be too dangerous, if they like to eat pancakes. Especially with jam on it.

It was a particularly good evening to begin a book.

My bag was as light as my happy-go-lucky heart.

Most of the people are homesick anyway, and a little lonely, and they hide themselves in their hair and are turned into flowers.

There are those who stay at home and those who go away, and it has always been so. Everyone can choose for himself, but he must choose while there is still time and never change his mind.

It’s only the sea,’ said Moomintroll. ‘Every wave that dies on the beach sings a little song to a shell. But you mustn’t go inside because it’s a labyrinth and you may never come out again.