--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: At the next bend I had a brisk argument…" description: "\"“At the next bend I had a brisk argument with two fat peasant ladies, balancing baskets of fruit on their heads, who were wildly indignant at Widdle. H..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8df/gerald-durrell-9611_fat-peasant_at-the-next-bend-i-had-a-brisk-argument_1016634.jpg" --- # At the next bend I had a brisk argument with two fat… ![“At the next bend I had a brisk argument with two fat peasant ladies, balancing baskets of fruit on their heads, who were wildly indignant at Widdle. He had crept up on them when they were engrossed in conversation and after sniffing at them had lived up to his name over their skirts and legs. The…” quote by Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8df/gerald-durrell-9611_fat-peasant_at-the-next-bend-i-had-a-brisk-argument_1016634.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8df/gerald-durrell-9611_fat-peasant_at-the-next-bend-i-had-a-brisk-argument_1016634.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8df/gerald-durrell-9611_fat-peasant_at-the-next-bend-i-had-a-brisk-argument_1016634.jpg) > ““At the next bend I had a brisk argument with two fat peasant ladies, balancing baskets of fruit on their heads, who were wildly indignant at Widdle. He had crept up on them when they were engrossed in conversation and after sniffing at them had lived up to his name over their skirts and legs. The argument as to whose fault it was kept all of us happily occupied for ten minutes, and was then continued as I walked on down the road, until we were separated by such a distance that we could no longer hear and appreciate each other's insults”” [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A humorous encounter with two women over a mischievous act illustrates how petty disputes can fill time and distract from larger journeys. **In simple terms:** A silly argument provides temporary amusement during travel. Key Takeaway Find humor in small conflicts and let them pass. Themes humor travel conflict distraction Mood lighthearted observational Type narrative anecdotal When to use this quote - road trips - market visits - cultural immersion - travel anecdotes Key Concepts social interaction cultural observation storytelling Questions to Reflect On - What does this story reveal about human nature? - How can we learn from brief, absurd moments? A Different Perspective The anecdote may trivialize deeper cultural dynamics. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Argument Fat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argument-fat-2240660/) [Engrossed Conversation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/engrossed-conversation-2240662/) [Fat Peasant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fat-peasant-2240658/) [Legs Argument](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/legs-argument-2240661/) [Peasant Ladies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peasant-ladies-2240659/) ## Related quotes > [I do wish you wouldn't argue with me when I'm knitting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/i-do-wish-you-wouldn-t-argue-with-me-when-i-m-knitting/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [There is no first world and third world. There is only one world, for all of us to live and delight in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/there-is-no-first-world-and-third-world-there-is-only-one-world-for/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [The great ecosystems are like complex tapestries - a million complicated threads, interwoven, make up the whole picture. Nature can cope with small rents…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/the-great-ecosystems-are-like-complex-tapestries-a-million/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [My childhood in Corfu shaped my life. If I had the craft of Merlin, I would give every child the gift of my childhood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/my-childhood-in-corfu-shaped-my-life-if-i-had-the-craft-of-merlin-i/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [“The noise of drinking was exhilarating. Champagne corks popped and the pale, chrysanthemum-coloured liquid, whispering gleefully with bubbles, hissed into the glasses; heavy red…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/the-noise-of-drinking-was-exhilarating-champagne-corks-popped-and-the/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [“No sooner were they drowsing pleasantly than the Magenpies would start the food call, one doing the hiccoughs while the other did the piping.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/no-sooner-were-they-drowsing-pleasantly-than-the-magenpies-would/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [“Larry was always full of ideas about things of which he had no experience.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/larry-was-always-full-of-ideas-about-things-of-which-he-had-no/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [“Lying spread-eagled in the silky water, gazing into the sky, only moving my hands and feet slightly to keep afloat, I was looking at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/lying-spread-eagled-in-the-silky-water-gazing-into-the-sky-only/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [We stared at the odd garment and wondered what it was for. 'What is it?' asked Larry at length. 'It's a bathing costume, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/we-stared-at-the-odd-garment-and-wondered-what-it-was-for-what-is-it/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [Each day had a tranquility a timelessness about it so that you wished it would never end. But then the dark skin of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/each-day-had-a-tranquility-a-timelessness-about-it-so-that-you-wished/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [As I watched the pulsing fire among the trees and heard the beat of the drum merge and tremble with the voices, forming an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/as-i-watched-the-pulsing-fire-among-the-trees-and-heard-the-beat-of/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [“It's all your fault, Mother,' said Larry austerely; 'you shouldn't have brought us up to be so selfish.' 'I like that!' exclaimed Mother. 'I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/it-s-all-your-fault-mother-said-larry-austerely-you-shouldn-t-have/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [They were maps that lived, maps that one could study, frown over, and add to; maps, in short, that really meant something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/they-were-maps-that-lived-maps-that-one-could-study-frown-over-and/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [ Gradually the magic of the island \[Corfu\] settled over us as gently and clingingly as pollen. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/gradually-the-magic-of-the-island-corfu-settled-over-us-as-gently-and/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [Until we consider animal life to be worthy of the consideration and reverence we bestow upon old books and pictures and historic monuments, there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/until-we-consider-animal-life-to-be-worthy-of-the-consideration-and/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) ## More by Gerald Durrell > [I do wish you wouldn't argue with me when I'm knitting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/i-do-wish-you-wouldn-t-argue-with-me-when-i-m-knitting/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [ Gradually the magic of the island \[Corfu\] settled over us as gently and clingingly as pollen. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/gradually-the-magic-of-the-island-corfu-settled-over-us-as-gently-and/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [They were maps that lived, maps that one could study, frown over, and add to; maps, in short, that really meant something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/they-were-maps-that-lived-maps-that-one-could-study-frown-over-and/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [“It's all your fault, Mother,' said Larry austerely; 'you shouldn't have brought us up to be so selfish.' 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'It's a bathing costume, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/we-stared-at-the-odd-garment-and-wondered-what-it-was-for-what-is-it/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [“Lying spread-eagled in the silky water, gazing into the sky, only moving my hands and feet slightly to keep afloat, I was looking at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/lying-spread-eagled-in-the-silky-water-gazing-into-the-sky-only/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [“Larry was always full of ideas about things of which he had no experience.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/larry-was-always-full-of-ideas-about-things-of-which-he-had-no/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [“No sooner were they drowsing pleasantly than the Magenpies would start the food call, one doing the hiccoughs while the other did the piping.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/no-sooner-were-they-drowsing-pleasantly-than-the-magenpies-would/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [“The noise of drinking was exhilarating. Champagne corks popped and the pale, chrysanthemum-coloured liquid, whispering gleefully with bubbles, hissed into the glasses; heavy red…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/the-noise-of-drinking-was-exhilarating-champagne-corks-popped-and-the/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [My childhood in Corfu shaped my life. If I had the craft of Merlin, I would give every child the gift of my childhood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/my-childhood-in-corfu-shaped-my-life-if-i-had-the-craft-of-merlin-i/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [The great ecosystems are like complex tapestries - a million complicated threads, interwoven, make up the whole picture. Nature can cope with small rents…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/the-great-ecosystems-are-like-complex-tapestries-a-million/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [There is no first world and third world. There is only one world, for all of us to live and delight in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/there-is-no-first-world-and-third-world-there-is-only-one-world-for/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [Until we consider animal life to be worthy of the consideration and reverence we bestow upon old books and pictures and historic monuments, there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/until-we-consider-animal-life-to-be-worthy-of-the-consideration-and/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) [Explore all 67 Gerald Durrell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“At the next bend I had a brisk argument with two fat peasant ladies, balancing baskets of fruit on their heads, who were wildly indignant at Widdle. 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