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Children are infinitely credulous. My Lisa was a dull…

“Children are infinitely credulous. My Lisa was a dull child, but even so she came up with things that pleased and startled me. 'Are there dragons?' she asked. I said that there were not. 'Have there ever been?' I said all the evidence was to the contrary. 'But if there is a word dragon,' she said…” quote by Penelope Lively
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““Children are infinitely credulous. My Lisa was a dull child, but even so she came up with things that pleased and startled me. 'Are there dragons?' she asked. I said that there were not. 'Have there ever been?' I said all the evidence was to the contrary. 'But if there is a word dragon,' she said, 'then once there must have been dragons.””

Penelope Lively

About This Quote

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

Children’s imagination can create reality‑like narratives, challenging adult assumptions about truth.

In simple terms: Children’s imagination blurs fact and fantasy.

Key Takeaway

Respect and nurture imaginative thinking.

Themes

imagination truth childhood curiosity

Mood

wonderful thoughtful

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • education
  • parenting
  • creative writing
  • therapy

Key Concepts

cognitive development storytelling psychology

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does imagination shape learning?
  • When did you first question reality?
A Different Perspective

Adults may dismiss children’s ideas as nonsense, missing insight.

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