“The sun flickers through the trees and shines upon the faces of the men lined up on the porches. Soldiers no more, just ordinary men who, by the grace of God, were spared to tell their stories”

“Just as the sun shines on all the trees and flowers as if each were the only one on earth, so does God care for all souls in a special manner.”

“Sun shines with its light; flowers shine with their beauties and men shine with their goodnesses.”

“There are few men more superstitious than soldiers. They are, after all, the men who live closest to death.”

“Apparently, all men were the same. It was like God had given them different faces just so that women would be able to tell them apart.”

“In fact, I couldn't help thinking that despite their height, adults were just plain unbelievably stupid: men were blowing up other men; soldiers were shooting at children; men were ignoring women they loved; the women who loved them pretended they didn't; and when I read the newspapers to Pir Hederi everyone they talked about seemed to be far more interested in rules and arguments and taking sides than the actual business of living.”