Corfu Quote by Gerald Durrell
““Ah, you may sit under them, yes. They cast a good shadow, cold as well-water; but that's the trouble, they tempt you to sleep. And you must never, for any reason, sleep beneath a cypress.' He paused, stroked his moustache, waited for me to ask why, and then went on: 'Why? Why? Because if you did you would be changed when you woke. Yes, the black cypresses, they are dangerous. While you sleep, their roots grow into your brains and steal them, and when you wake up you are mad, head as empty as a whistle.' I asked whether it was only the cypress that could do that or did it apply to other trees. 'No, only the cypress,' said the old man, peering up fiercely at the trees above me as though to see whether they were listening; 'only the cypress is the thief of intelligence. So be warned, little lord, and don't sleep here.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Bafut Beagles, Gerald Durrell, 1955
Warns that sleeping under cypress trees leads to loss of intellect, using a fantastical tale to caution against complacency.
In simple terms: Avoid sleeping under cypress trees to protect your mind.
Key Takeaway
Steer clear of cypress shadows.
Themes
caution
myth
intelligence
danger
sleep
Mood
cautionary
mythical
reflective
Type
advice
storytelling
philosophical
When to use this quote
- camping
- forest hikes
- nighttime rest
- storytelling sessions
Key Concepts
folklore
warning
psychological metaphor
Questions to Reflect On
- What “cypress” in your life tempts you to become complacent?
- How can you stay alert in seemingly safe environments?
A Different Perspective
The warning is symbolic, not literal.
![“Gradually the magic of the island [Corfu] settled over us as gently and clingingly as pollen.” quote by Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/505/gerald-durrell-9611_gently_gradually-the-magic-of-the-island-corfu_125853.jpg)
