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When she had got to the third page [of another story] and come to the end, she said, 'That is the loveliest story I've ever read or ever shall read in my whole life. Oh, I wish I could have gone on reading it for ten years. At least I'll read it over again.' - But here part of the magic of the Book came into play. You couldn't turn back. The right-hand pages, the ones ahead, could be turned; the left-hand pages could not. ... 'It was about a cup and a sword and a tree and a green hill, I know that much. But I can't remember, and what shall I do?' (ch. 10)

C. S. Lewis#141

TimeStorytellingBeautyMemoryNostalgia

About this quote

What does it mean?
The most beautiful stories can't be relived, making them feel magical.
In plain terms
She wanted to read the story again but couldn't turn back.
What can you take from it?
Appreciate perfect moments because they can't be repeated.

Where it applies

  • enjoying art
  • remembering the past
  • letting go

Putting it to work

  • cherish perfect moments
  • embrace endings

Questions to consider

  • What story do you wish could go on?
  • Why can't we live the moment again?

Another view

It ignores that we can create new stories.

More from C. S. Lewis

  1. And all in a hurry, for fear her mind would change, she said the words [for a different spell] (nothing will induce me to tell you what they were). Then she wa…

    Permalink to quote #140
  2. 'Aslan!' said Lucy almost a little reproachfully. 'Don't make fun of me. As if anything I could do would make you visible!' 'It did,' said Aslan. 'Do you think…

    Permalink to quote #142
  3. 'I will say the spell,' said Lucy. 'I don't care. I will.' She said I don't care because she had a strong feeling that she mustn't. But when she looked back at…

    Permalink to quote #139

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