--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: On the fourth day, we came upon a cavern…" description: "\"“On the fourth day, we came upon a cavern with a perfectly still pool that gave the illusion of a night sky, its depths sparkling with tiny luminescent..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74c/leigh-bardugo-252_cave_on-the-fourth-day-we-came-upon-a-cavern_1885266.jpg" --- # On the fourth day, we came upon a cavern with a perfectly… ![“On the fourth day, we came upon a cavern with a perfectly still pool that gave the illusion of a night sky, its depths sparkling with tiny luminescent fish. Mal and I were slightly ahead of the others. He dipped his hand in, then yelped and drew back. “They bite.” “Serves you right,” I said. “‘Oh…” quote by Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74c/leigh-bardugo-252_cave_on-the-fourth-day-we-came-upon-a-cavern_1885266.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74c/leigh-bardugo-252_cave_on-the-fourth-day-we-came-upon-a-cavern_1885266.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74c/leigh-bardugo-252_cave_on-the-fourth-day-we-came-upon-a-cavern_1885266.jpg) > ““On the fourth day, we came upon a cavern with a perfectly still pool that gave the illusion of a night sky, its depths sparkling with tiny luminescent fish. Mal and I were slightly ahead of the others. He dipped his hand in, then yelped and drew back. “They bite.” “Serves you right,” I said. “‘Oh, look, a dark lake full of something shiny. Let me put my hand in it.’” “I can’t help being delicious,” he said, that familiar cocky grin flashing across his face like light over water. Then he seemed to catch himself. He shouldered his pack, and I knew he was about to move away from me. I wasn’t sure where the words came from: “You didn’t fail me, Mal.” He wiped his damp hand on his thigh. “We both know better.” “We’re going to be traveling together for who knows how long. Eventually, you’re going to have to talk to me.” “I’m talking to you right now.” “See? Is this so terrible?” “It wouldn’t be,” he said, gazing at me steadily, “if all I wanted to do was talk.” My cheeks heated. You don’t want this, I told myself. But I felt my edges curl like a piece of paper held too close to fire. “Mal—” “I need to keep you safe, Alina, to stay focused on what matters. I can’t do that if . . .” He let out a long breath. “You were meant for more than me, and I’ll die fighting to give it to you. But please don’t ask me to pretend it’s easy.” He plunged ahead into the next cave. I looked down into the glittering pond, the whorls of light in the water still settling after Mal’s brief touch. I could hear the others making their noisy way through the cavern. “Oncat scratches me all the time,” said Harshaw as he ambled up beside me. “Oh?” I asked hollowly. “Funny thing is, she likes to stay close.” “Are you being profound, Harshaw?” “Actually, I was wondering, if I ate enough of those fish, would I start to glow?” I shook my head. Of course one of the last living Inferni would have to be insane. I fell into step with the others and headed into the next tunnel. “Come on, Harshaw,” I called over my shoulder. Then the first explosion hit.”” [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A moment of fragile trust and unspoken affection emerges as characters confront danger and their own vulnerabilities. **In simple terms:** Trust forms in perilous moments. Key Takeaway Acknowledge and protect those you care for. Themes trust vulnerability relationships Mood tension hopeful Type dialogue narrative When to use this quote - exploring caves - team dynamics - conflict resolution - personal growth Key Concepts emotional intimacy heroic sacrifice Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance self‑protection with caring for others? - When does affection become a burden? A Different Perspective Characters may misinterpret protective actions as control. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ate Fish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ate-fish-2689732/) [Came Cavern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/came-cavern-2689731/) [Cave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cave/) [Cave Looked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cave-looked-2689733/) [Fish Mal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fish-mal-2689730/) [Malina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/malina-116792/) [Night sky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/night-sky/) [Right now](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-now/) [Stay focused](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stay-focused/) ## Related quotes > [“They have an ordinary life, full of ordinary things - if love can ever be called that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/they-have-an-ordinary-life-full-of-ordinary-things-if-love-can-ever/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [What's in the cave, Russell?' Madigan asked with heavy sarcasm. I shrugged. 'Rocks. Lots of 'em.' 'Don't patronize me.' His voice lowered to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeaniene-frost/what-s-in-the-cave-russell-madigan-asked-with-heavy-sarcasm-i/) [Jeaniene Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeaniene-frost/) > [Something inside me had dropped away, and nothing came in to fill the cavern.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haruki-murakami/something-inside-me-had-dropped-away-and-nothing-came-in-to-fill-the/) [Haruki Murakami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haruki-murakami/) > [“You will need to make an effort to appear a little less scruffy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-hearne/you-will-need-to-make-an-effort-to-appear-a-little-less-scruffy/) [Kevin Hearne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-hearne/) > [When I was small, I would refuse to drink when I ate fish because I thought the fish would reconstitute itself in my stomach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-ustinov/when-i-was-small-i-would-refuse-to-drink-when-i-ate-fish-because-i/) [Peter Ustinov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-ustinov/) > [“We ate fish-and-chips in a dark pub that belonged in a different country, and we collected beach glass instead of shells, and we kissed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-lacour/we-ate-fish-and-chips-in-a-dark-pub-that-belonged-in-a-different/) [Nina LaCour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-lacour/) > [“Reluctant to return to the empty rooms of Bluebell Cottage, Olivia ate fish and chips on the harbor wall, dangling her legs over the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hazel-gaynor/reluctant-to-return-to-the-empty-rooms-of-bluebell-cottage-olivia-ate/) [Hazel Gaynor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hazel-gaynor/) > [At home we ate fish every Friday, as Catholics were then supposed to do. Being Jewish, I compromised. I wore a hat when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-burns/at-home-we-ate-fish-every-friday-as-catholics-were-then-supposed-to/) [George Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-burns/) > [“And now, restored to the status of daughter in her own home, Amina began to feel the emotions of other people's food seeping into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/and-now-restored-to-the-status-of-daughter-in-her-own-home-amina/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [“My dream is to create something so beautiful that it encourages people to present the best version of themselves to me everywhere I go.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-caligiuri/my-dream-is-to-create-something-so-beautiful-that-it-encourages/) [Ross Caligiuri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-caligiuri/) > [(At the back of the cave, Phoebe placed her hand against one of the stones where a spring release opened an elevator door. Chris…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/at-the-back-of-the-cave-phoebe-placed-her-hand-against-one-of-the/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [Be brave. Don't just live in your cave till your grave.-RVM](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rvm/be-brave-don-t-just-live-in-your-cave-till-your-grave-rvm/) [RVM](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rvm/) > [“Try to think of it as though we are rewriting history––the first time this experience occurred you and I never kissed in this Dream…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-caligiuri/try-to-think-of-it-as-though-we-are-rewriting-history-the-first-time/) [Ross Caligiuri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-caligiuri/) > [A man in a cave or in a camp, a nomad, will die with no more estate than the wolf or the horse leaves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-man-in-a-cave-or-in-a-camp-a-nomad-will-die-with-no-more-estate/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Gravity Falls' didn't just appear overnight - every spooky cave and moss covered tree was created by a team of brilliant artists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-hirsch/gravity-falls-didn-t-just-appear-overnight-every-spooky-cave-and-moss/) [Alex Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-hirsch/) ## More by Leigh Bardugo > [“Aleksander." His eyes fluttered shut. "Don't let me be alone," he murmured. And then he was gone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/aleksander-his-eyes-fluttered-shut-don-t-let-me-be-alone-he-murmured/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I don't care if you danced naked on the roof of the Little Palace with him. I love you, Alina, even the part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-don-t-care-if-you-danced-naked-on-the-roof-of-the-little-palace/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Inej frowned. “I thought you and Nina chose four outbreak sites on the Staves.” Kaz straightened his cuffs. “I also had her stop at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/inej-frowned-i-thought-you-and-nina-chose-four-outbreak-sites-on-the/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I rolled my eyes. "For defending my honor, you dullard." He yanked me beneath a shadowed awning. I had a moment's panic when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-rolled-my-eyes-for-defending-my-honor-you-dullard-he-yanked-me/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I've been waiting for you a long time, Alina" He said. "You and I are going to change the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-ve-been-waiting-for-you-a-long-time-alina-he-said-you-and-i-are/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“They're all crazy, Oncat. Invisible armies, monster princes. Let's go set fire to something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/they-re-all-crazy-oncat-invisible-armies-monster-princes-let-s-go-set/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Saints!" I swore. "I forgot how often I want to stab you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/saints-i-swore-i-forgot-how-often-i-want-to-stab-you/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Inej knew the moment Kaz entered the Slat. His presence reverberated through the cramped rooms and crooked hallways as every thug, thief, dealer, con…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/inej-knew-the-moment-kaz-entered-the-slat-his-presence-reverberated/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I've risked my life for you. I've walked half the length of Ravka for you, and I'd do it again and again and again…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-ve-risked-my-life-for-you-i-ve-walked-half-the-length-of-ravka-for/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“You never know," said Nikolai. "I've been busy. I might have some surprises in store for the Darkling yet." "Please tell me you plan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-never-know-said-nikolai-i-ve-been-busy-i-might-have-some/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Sure we do," said Theo, swatting at a branch. "We get to the spring, Alia gets cured. We argue over the best choice for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/sure-we-do-said-theo-swatting-at-a-branch-we-get-to-the-spring-alia/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“But I pushed down my confused tears and did as she asked, still hoping that whatever I’d broken might be repaired.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/but-i-pushed-down-my-confused-tears-and-did-as-she-asked-still-hoping/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“There, she wrote fantastical tales that charmed children, and under another name, she penned rather more lurid works that kept her in nougat and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/there-she-wrote-fantastical-tales-that-charmed-children-and-under/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Short on friends, your highness?" "And long on enemies," replied Nikolai.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/short-on-friends-your-highness-and-long-on-enemies-replied-nikolai/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Jesper knocked his head against the hull and cast his eyes heavenward. “Fine. But if Pekka Rollins kills us all, I’m going to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/jesper-knocked-his-head-against-the-hull-and-cast-his-eyes-heavenward/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) [Explore all 782 Leigh Bardugo quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) ## More Cave quotes > [Gravity Falls' didn't just appear overnight - every spooky cave and moss covered tree was created by a team of brilliant artists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-hirsch/gravity-falls-didn-t-just-appear-overnight-every-spooky-cave-and-moss/) [Alex Hirsch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-hirsch/) > [A man in a cave or in a camp, a nomad, will die with no more estate than the wolf or the horse leaves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-man-in-a-cave-or-in-a-camp-a-nomad-will-die-with-no-more-estate/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“Try to think of it as though we are rewriting history––the first time this experience occurred you and I never kissed in this Dream…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-caligiuri/try-to-think-of-it-as-though-we-are-rewriting-history-the-first-time/) [Ross Caligiuri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-caligiuri/) > [Be brave. Don't just live in your cave till your grave.-RVM](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rvm/be-brave-don-t-just-live-in-your-cave-till-your-grave-rvm/) [RVM](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rvm/) > [(At the back of the cave, Phoebe placed her hand against one of the stones where a spring release opened an elevator door. Chris…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/at-the-back-of-the-cave-phoebe-placed-her-hand-against-one-of-the/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [“My dream is to create something so beautiful that it encourages people to present the best version of themselves to me everywhere I go.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-caligiuri/my-dream-is-to-create-something-so-beautiful-that-it-encourages/) [Ross Caligiuri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-caligiuri/) > [Leonard Cohen and Nick Cave know best. Although I wear a lot of jeans, I've been told that Nick Cave doesn't own a pair…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-berninger/leonard-cohen-and-nick-cave-know-best-although-i-wear-a-lot-of-jeans/) [Matt Berninger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-berninger/) > [You know,” he said, “I wish you could see this cave.” “What’s it like?” He paused. “It’s...beautiful, really.” “Tell me.” And so Po described…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-cashore/you-know-he-said-i-wish-you-could-see-this-cave-what-s-it-like-he/) [Kristin Cashore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-cashore/) > [A Pitiful person who is afraid of taking risks, will never be disappointed or disillusioned; perhaps he won't suffer the way people do when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-pitiful-person-who-is-afraid-of-taking-risks-will-never-be/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“On the walls of the cave, only the shadows are the truth”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-allegory-of-the-cave-plato/on-the-walls-of-the-cave-only-the-shadows-are-the-truth/) [The Allegory of the Cave Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-allegory-of-the-cave-plato/) > [And then I met Jerry and he's such a creative fiction writer, and I don't know if there's ever been a team put together…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-lahaye/and-then-i-met-jerry-and-he-s-such-a-creative-fiction-writer-and-i/) [Tim LaHaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-lahaye/) > [I'm Andrea Thompson, and unless you've been living in a cave, you probably already know that](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-thompson/i-m-andrea-thompson-and-unless-you-ve-been-living-in-a-cave-you/) [Andrea Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-thompson/) > [“In every dark cave there is always a bright side too.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelleskii/in-every-dark-cave-there-is-always-a-bright-side-too/) [Nelleskii](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelleskii/) > [“Sleep this night is not a dark haunted domain the mind must consciously set itself to invade, but a cave inside himself, into which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-updike/sleep-this-night-is-not-a-dark-haunted-domain-the-mind-must/) [John Updike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-updike/) > [“As her feet beat the concrete ground beneath them, her chest began to ache. It had been a long time since she had run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-caligiuri/as-her-feet-beat-the-concrete-ground-beneath-them-her-chest-began-to/) [Ross Caligiuri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-caligiuri/) [Browse all 212 Cave quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cave/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“On the fourth day, we came upon a cavern with a perfectly still pool that gave the illusion of a night sky, its depths sparkling with tiny luminescent fish. Mal and I were slightly ahead of the others. He dipped his hand in, then yelped and drew back. “They bite.” “Serves you right,” I said. “‘Oh, look, a dark lake full of something shiny. Let me put my hand in it.’” “I can’t help being delicious,” he said, that familiar cocky grin flashing across his face like light over water. Then he seemed to catch himself. He shouldered his pack, and I knew he was about to move away from me. I wasn’t sure where the words came from: “You didn’t fail me, Mal.” He wiped his damp hand on his thigh. “We both know better.” “We’re going to be traveling together for who knows how long. Eventually, you’re going to have to talk to me.” “I’m talking to you right now.” “See? Is this so terrible?” “It wouldn’t be,” he said, gazing at me steadily, “if all I wanted to do was talk.” My cheeks heated. You don’t want this, I told myself. But I felt my edges curl like a piece of paper held too close to fire. “Mal—” “I need to keep you safe, Alina, to stay focused on what matters. I can’t do that if . . .” He let out a long breath. “You were meant for more than me, and I’ll die fighting to give it to you. But please don’t ask me to pretend it’s easy.” He plunged ahead into the next cave. I looked down into the glittering pond, the whorls of light in the water still settling after Mal’s brief touch. I could hear the others making their noisy way through the cavern. “Oncat scratches me all the time,” said Harshaw as he ambled up beside me. “Oh?” I asked hollowly. “Funny thing is, she likes to stay close.” “Are you being profound, Harshaw?” “Actually, I was wondering, if I ate enough of those fish, would I start to glow?” I shook my head. Of course one of the last living Inferni would have to be insane. I fell into step with the others and headed into the next tunnel. “Come on, Harshaw,” I called over my shoulder. Then the first explosion hit.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Leigh Bardugo" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/on-the-fourth-day-we-came-upon-a-cavern-with-a-perfectly-still-pool/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cave" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/on-the-fourth-day-we-came-upon-a-cavern-with-a-perfectly-still-pool/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74c/leigh-bardugo-252_cave_on-the-fourth-day-we-came-upon-a-cavern_1885266.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74c/leigh-bardugo-252_cave_on-the-fourth-day-we-came-upon-a-cavern_1885266.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/74c/leigh-bardugo-252_cave_on-the-fourth-day-we-came-upon-a-cavern_1885266.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“On the fourth day, we came upon a cavern with a perfectly still pool that gave the illusion of a night sky…” — Leigh Bardugo", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Leigh Bardugo", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“On the fourth day, we came...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/on-the-fourth-day-we-came-upon-a-cavern-with-a-perfectly-still-pool/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/on-the-fourth-day-we-came-upon-a-cavern-with-a-perfectly-still-pool/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```