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About this quote

What does it mean?
Claims the sandbox was quicksand and implies he was an only child because of the danger.
In plain terms
He played in quicksand and survived alone, suggesting others might have died.
What can you take from it?
Dangerous environments can isolate individuals or imply hidden past events.

Where it applies

  • playground safety
  • storytelling
  • comedy

Putting it to work

  • writing dark humor
  • safety checks
  • memory work

Questions to consider

  • What childhood memories feel dangerous now?
  • How does environment shape us?

Another view

The implication about others dying is dark and not necessarily true.

More from Steven Wright

  1. When I was a fetus, I used to sneak out at night when my mother was sleeping. I figured I should start stealing stuff while I still had no fingerprints.

    Permalink to quote #152
  2. When I was crossing the border into Canada, they asked if I had any firearms with me. I said, 'Well, what do you need?'

    Permalink to quote #154
  3. When I turned two I was really anxious, because I'd doubled my age in a year. I thought, if this keeps up, by the time I'm six I'll be ninety.

    Permalink to quote #151

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