Fortune Quote by Neil Gaiman
““At the end of the street was a large glass box with a female mannequin inside it, dressed as a gypsy fortune teller. “Now,” said Wednesday, “at the start of any quest or enterprise it behooves us to consult the Norns.” He dropped a coin into the slot. With jagged, mechanical motions, the gypsy lifted her arm and lowered it once more. A slip of paper chunked out of the slot. Wednesday took it, read it, grunted, folded it up and put it in his pocket. “Aren’t you going to show it to me? I’ll show you mine,” said Shadow. “A man’s fortune is his own affair,” said Wednesday, stiffly. “I would not ask to see yours.” Shadow put his own coin into the slot. He took his slip of paper. He read it. EVERY ENDING IS A NEW BEGINNING. YOUR LUCKY NUMBER IS NONE. YOUR LUCKY COLOUR IS DEAD. Motto: LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON. Shadow made a face. He folded the fortune up and put it inside his pocket.””
About This Quote
Source Short Story: “The Sandman: The Wake” by Neil Gaiman, 1995
Characters seek guidance from a mystical oracle, receiving cryptic fortunes that hint at cycles of endings and beginnings.
In simple terms: Seeking advice from a fortune teller yields vague, symbolic messages.
Key Takeaway
Treat cryptic guidance as a prompt for self‑reflection.
Themes
mythology
fate
choice
ritual
Mood
mysterious
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal decision making
- creative projects
- spiritual quests
- role‑playing games
Key Concepts
symbolism
narrative structure
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What personal meaning can you extract from the fortune?
- Do you trust random signs?
A Different Perspective
Fortunes are ambiguous and may reinforce fatalism rather than agency.
![“[T]hey could not help being amused every time another little human believed itself the center of its world, as each of us does.” quote by Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/19e/neil-gaiman-29_amused_t-hey-could-not-help-being-amused-every_4551.jpg)
