“Stories are the wildest things of all, the monster rumbled. Stories chase and bite and hunt.”

“It is a true story, the monster said. Many things that are true feel like a cheat.”

“Conor shook his head. "That's a terrible story. And a cheat." "It is a true story," the monster said. "Many things that are true feel like a cheat.”

“Stories don't always have happy endings."This stopped him. Because they didn't, did they? That's one thing the monster had definitely taught him. Stories were wild, wild animals and went off in directions you couldn't expect.”

“Stories are important, the monster said. They can be more important than anything. If they carry the truth.”

“Stories are wild creatures, the monster said. When you let them loose, who knows what havoc they might wreak?”

“You think I tell you stories to teach you lessons? the monster said. You think I have coming walking out of time and earth itself to teach you a lesson in niceness?”