The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm

That was the best kind of story: when the teller was as much under its spell as the listener.

She took to reading with a fervor so extreme, Baba Joseph had to take the books from her hands by force. 'Your eyes are not tractors. They are not meant to pull heavy loads,' he said sternly.

Knowledge is a house that must be built from the ground up. We know how to make the roof. The information is useless if we don't understand the foundations on which it is to be placed.

I am one for whom dangers are play- things One who empties men of their strength as a nut from its shell The charms you use I chop up for relish on my porridge Beware! I am a deadly mamba Wrestler of legends A hive of hornets A man among men

If you squat on a path, you'll get boils on your backside.

Tendai remembered his last birthday. It seemed one shouldn't make wishes idly. Who knew which spirits were listening. He considered a moment and then thought, I wish for courage. Because with courage, you weren't afraid to look at the truth. You weren't afraid to ask questions or do the right thing.