--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That's the trouble with stories. People…" description: "\"That's the trouble with stories. People start out fantastic. You think they're extraordinary, but it turns out as the work goes along, they're just ave..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad5/grace-paley-3243_along_that-s-the-trouble-with-stories-people-s_3055535.jpg" --- # That's the trouble with stories. People start out… ![“That's the trouble with stories. People start out fantastic. You think they're extraordinary, but it turns out as the work goes along, they're just average with a good education.” quote by Grace Paley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad5/grace-paley-3243_along_that-s-the-trouble-with-stories-people-s_3055535.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad5/grace-paley-3243_along_that-s-the-trouble-with-stories-people-s_3055535.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad5/grace-paley-3243_along_that-s-the-trouble-with-stories-people-s_3055535.jpg) > “That's the trouble with stories. People start out fantastic. You think they're extraordinary, but it turns out as the work goes along, they're just average with a good education.” [Grace Paley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-paley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The author critiques that stories often begin with extraordinary characters, but as the narrative progresses they become ordinary, suggesting that education alone does not sustain exceptionalism. **In simple terms:** Stories start great, become average despite education. Key Takeaway Recognize that talent and effort matter beyond schooling. Themes storytelling education mediocrity expectations Mood thoughtful analytical Type literary reflective When to use this quote - creative writing - teaching - career development - personal growth Key Concepts Literary criticism social commentary human potential Questions to Reflect On - What sustains excellence? - How does education shape but limit potential? A Different Perspective May overlook systemic factors influencing achievement. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Fantastic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fantastic/) [Good education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-education/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) ## Related quotes > [I do believe the world is a pretty sad, troubled, and violent place. Maybe that's why I focus on the trouble. Even though there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-ray-pollock/i-do-believe-the-world-is-a-pretty-sad-troubled-and-violent-place/) [Donald Ray Pollock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-ray-pollock/) > [I am an average good Christian, when you don't push my Christianity too far. 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We can choose to notice or ignore them, unaware…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/although-we-think-of-them-as-extraordinary-miracles-also-streak/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [I always say to myself, what is the most important thing we can think about at this extraordinary moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/i-always-say-to-myself-what-is-the-most-important-thing-we-can-think/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [“The great inventions would have not become a reality if their inventors listened to criticism or paid attention to people who tried to hold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-taskinsoy/the-great-inventions-would-have-not-become-a-reality-if-their/) [JOHN TASKINSOY](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-taskinsoy/) ## More by Grace Paley > [The only recognizable feature of hope is action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-paley/the-only-recognizable-feature-of-hope-is-action/) [Grace Paley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-paley/) > [“Near home I ran through our park, where I had aired my children on weekends and late-summer afternoons. I stopped at the northeast playground,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-paley/near-home-i-ran-through-our-park-where-i-had-aired-my-children-on/) [Grace Paley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-paley/) > [Old age is not a good thing. It can be really hard, and those of us who have it a little easier should keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-paley/old-age-is-not-a-good-thing-it-can-be-really-hard-and-those-of-us-who/) [Grace Paley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-paley/) > [Well, by now you must know yourself, honey, whatever you do, life don't stop. 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