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'Niggle's Picture!' said Parish in astonishment. 'Did you think of all this, Niggle? I never knew you were so clever. Why didn't you tell me?' 'He tried to tell you long ago,' said the man; 'but you would not look. He had only got canvas and paint in those days, and you wanted to mend your roof with them. This is what you and your wife used to call Niggle's Nonsense, or That Daubing.' 'But it did not look like this then, not real,' said Parish. 'No, it was only a glimpse then,' said the man; 'but you might have caught the glimpse, if you had ever thought it worth while to try.' 'I did not give you much chance,' said Niggle. 'I never tried to explain. I used to call you Old Earth-grubber. But what does it matter? We have lived and worked together now. Things might have been different, but they could not have been better. All the same, I am afraid I shall have to be going on. We shall meet again, I expect: there must be many more things we can do together. Good-bye!'

J. R. R. Tolkien#31

ArtFriendshipRecognitionRegretTalentUnderstanding

About this quote

What does it mean?
Parish acknowledges Niggle's hidden talent and regret that he dismissed it, recognizing the value now that the work is revealed.
In plain terms
Parish realizes Niggle was clever all along and regrets not appreciating his art sooner.
What can you take from it?
Talent is often overlooked until it is too late to appreciate fully.

Where it applies

  • artistic critique
  • friendship reconciliation
  • reviewing past work

Putting it to work

  • valuing others' efforts
  • looking beyond appearances
  • supporting creativity

Questions to consider

  • When did you dismiss something valuable too soon?
  • How can we better recognize hidden talents?

Another view

Sometimes dismissal happens out of ignorance rather than malice.

More from J. R. R. Tolkien

  1. As their work drew to an end they allowed themselves more and more time for walking about, looking at the trees, and the flowers, and the lights and shapes, an…

    Permalink to quote #30
  2. The blossom on the Great Tree was shining like flame. All the birds were flying in the air and singing. Then he smiled, and nodded to Parish, and went off with…

    Permalink to quote #32
  3. They found the Spring in the heart of the Forest; only once long ago had Niggle imagined it, but he had never drawn it. Now he perceived that it was the source…

    Permalink to quote #29

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