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...Borrower's don't steal." "Except from human beings,"…

“...Borrower's don't steal." "Except from human beings," said the boy. Arrietty burst out laughing; she laughed so much that she had to hide her face in the primrose. "Oh dear," she gasped with tears in her eyes, "you are funny!" She stared upward at his puzzled face. "Human beans are for Borrowers…” quote by Mary Norton
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““...Borrower's don't steal." "Except from human beings," said the boy. Arrietty burst out laughing; she laughed so much that she had to hide her face in the primrose. "Oh dear," she gasped with tears in her eyes, "you are funny!" She stared upward at his puzzled face. "Human beans are for Borrowers - like bread's for butter!””

Mary Norton

About This Quote

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

Borrowers find humor in human traits, likening humans to beans for Borrowers, highlighting playful perspective on size and dependence.

In simple terms: Borrowers see humans as food, creating humor.

Key Takeaway

Embrace playful perspectives on differences.

Themes

humor perspective size dependence

Mood

lighthearted imaginative

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • childhood imagination
  • storytelling
  • creative writing

Key Concepts

literary satire anthropomorphism

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does “human beans” symbolize?
  • How can humor bridge gaps?
A Different Perspective

Humor may mask deeper anxieties.

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