William Steig Quotes

Rain caused one to reflect on the shadowed, more poignant parts of life—the inescapable sorrows, the speechless longings, the disappointments, the regrets, the cold miseries. It also allowed one the leisure to ponder questions unasked in the bustle of brighter days; and if one were snug under a sound roof, as Abel was, one felt somehow mothered, though mothers were nowhere around, and absolved of responsibilities.

I wish I were a rock,' he said, and he became a rock.

He began to develop an obstinate patience.

The stubbornness of his character stood him now in good stead. He refused to consider himself defeated.

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

Why had he wanted to be rich, or to feel rich? Was he an unhappy mouse before? Didn't he see the King himself often looking sad? Was anyone completely happy?

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

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