“The world was all magic, and he had a special bottle of it in his right hand.”

“How did the world ever manage without me before I was born?' he wondered. 'Didn't they feel something was missing?”

“He was able to love them again, but he loved them now in a wiser way, knowing their weakness.”

“And they lived horribly ever after, scaring the socks off all who fell afoul of them.”

“Did you ever see anybody so disgusting: said lightning to thunder, "never," growled thunder, "let's give him the works.”

“Oh, Life, I am yours. Whatever it is you want of me, I am ready to give.”

“Later she sat on the ground in the forest between school and home, and spring was so bright and beautiful, the warm air touched her so tenderly, she could almost feel herself changing into a flower. Her light dress felt like petals."I love everything," she heard herself say."So do I," a voice answered.Pearl straightened up and looked around. No one was there.”