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One of you needs food,' said the Old Woman, 'and three of…

“One of you needs food,' said the Old Woman, 'and three of you need healing.' So the Princess sat down to good soup, and fresh bread, and fruit tart with clotted cream and a mug of sharp cider, and the Old Woman put the creatures on the table, and healed them in her way. Her way was to make them…” quote by A.S. Byatt
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““One of you needs food,' said the Old Woman, 'and three of you need healing.' So the Princess sat down to good soup, and fresh bread, and fruit tart with clotted cream and a mug of sharp cider, and the Old Woman put the creatures on the table, and healed them in her way. Her way was to make them tell the story of their hurts, and as they told, she applied ointments and drops with tiny feathery brushes and little bone pins ...””

A.S. Byatt

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Compassionate healing comes from listening to pain and addressing it with care.

In simple terms: Healing requires listening and gentle care.

Key Takeaway

Listen, then heal with empathy.

Themes

compassion healing storytelling

Mood

empathetic reflective

Type

narrative inspirational

When to use this quote

  • family meals
  • conflict resolution
  • mental health support

Key Concepts

empathy narrative therapy ritual care

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does sharing pain enable recovery?
  • What rituals help you process hurt?
A Different Perspective

Healing alone cannot fix systemic injustice.

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