Skip to content

Asked Quote by Meg Cabot

“But who cooks it?" I asked, imaging an underground kitchen staffed by tiny, invisible chefs. "Who serves it?" "I don't know," he said, with a disinterested shrug. I couldn't help laughing. "John, food magically appears here three times a day, and you don't know where it comes from? You've been…” quote by Meg Cabot
Download Open image
““But who cooks it?" I asked, imaging an underground kitchen staffed by tiny, invisible chefs. "Who serves it?" "I don't know," he said, with a disinterested shrug. I couldn't help laughing. "John, food magically appears here three times a day, and you don't know where it comes from? You've been here for almost two hundred years. Haven't you ever tried to find out?" He shot me a sarcastic look of his own. "Of course. I have theories. I think it's part of the compensation for the job I do, since there isn't any pay. But there's room and board. Anything I've ever wanted or needed badly enough usually appears, eventually. For instance"-he sent one of those knee-melting smiles in my direction-"you." I swallowed. The smile made it astonishingly hard to follow the conversation, even though I was the one who'd started it. "Compensation from whom?" He shrugged again. It was clear this was something he didn't care to discuss. "I have passengers waiting. For now, here." He lifted the lid of a platter. "I highly recommend these." I don't know what I expected to see when I looked down...a big platter of pomegranates? Of course that wasn't it at all. "Waffles?””

Meg Cabot

About This Quote

Source Novel: Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk, 1999

A character questions the mysterious source of sustenance, revealing that desires are often met without understanding their origin, and that compensation can be intangible.

In simple terms: We get what we need without knowing how it arrives.

Key Takeaway

Accept mystery, focus on what matters.

Themes

mystery desire compensation communication humor

Mood

curious ironic lighthearted

Type

narrative conversational humorous

When to use this quote

  • seeking answers
  • daily work
  • relationships
  • unexpected generosity

Key Concepts

existentialism consumerism social dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

  • What do you assume about the source of your needs?
  • How does mystery affect your gratitude?
A Different Perspective

The lack of transparency can breed mistrust or complacency.

4.9 out of 5 (10 ratings)

More by Meg Cabot

Explore all 532 Meg Cabot quotes

More Asked quotes

Browse all 2,259 Asked quotes