--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A voice from the creature, smooth as…" description: "\"“A voice from the creature, smooth as buttered oil. \"He-llo,\" is said. \"Ding-dong. You look remarkably like dinner.\" I'm Charlie Nancy,\" said Charlie N..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/701/neil-gaiman-29_little-man_a-voice-from-the-creature-smooth-as-butt_1546973.jpg" --- # A voice from the creature, smooth as buttered oil… ![“A voice from the creature, smooth as buttered oil. "He-llo," is said. "Ding-dong. You look remarkably like dinner." I'm Charlie Nancy," said Charlie Nancy. "Who are you?" I am Dragon," said the dragon. "And I shall devour you in one slow mouthful, little man in a hat." Charlie blinked. What would…” quote by Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/701/neil-gaiman-29_little-man_a-voice-from-the-creature-smooth-as-butt_1546973.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/701/neil-gaiman-29_little-man_a-voice-from-the-creature-smooth-as-butt_1546973.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/701/neil-gaiman-29_little-man_a-voice-from-the-creature-smooth-as-butt_1546973.jpg) > ““A voice from the creature, smooth as buttered oil. "He-llo," is said. "Ding-dong. You look remarkably like dinner." I'm Charlie Nancy," said Charlie Nancy. "Who are you?" I am Dragon," said the dragon. "And I shall devour you in one slow mouthful, little man in a hat." Charlie blinked. What would my father do? He wondered. What would Spider have done?... Er. You’re bored with talking to me now, and you’re going to let me pass unhindered,” he told the dragon, with as much conviction as he was able to muster. Gosh. Good try. But I’m afraid I’m not,” said the dragon, enthusiastically. Actually, I’m going to eat you.” You aren’t scared of limes, are you?” asked Charlie, before remembering that he’d given the lime to Daisy. The creature laughed, scornfully. “I,” it said, “am frightened of nothing.” Nothing?” Nothing,” it said. Charlie said “Are you extremely frightened of nothing?” Absolutely terrified of it,” admitted the Dragon. You know,” said Charlie, “Have nothing in my pockets. Would you like to see it?” No,” said the dragon, uncomfortably, “I most definitely would not.” There was a flapping of wings like sails, and Charlie was alone on the beach. “That,” he said, “was much too easy.”” [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A surreal dialogue explores fear, curiosity, and the absurdity of confronting the unknown with humor and bravado. **In simple terms:** Facing the unknown can be both funny and frightening. Key Takeaway Embrace curiosity, even when fear feels absurd. Themes imagination fear humor absurdity courage Mood playful thoughtful enigmatic Type literary dialogue philosophical When to use this quote - reading - creative writing - role‑playing games - storytelling - personal introspection Key Concepts existential dread dialogue surrealism Questions to Reflect On - What does “nothing” represent for you? - How can humor help face fear? A Different Perspective The absurd tone may downplay genuine danger, leading to complacency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dragon/) ## Related quotes > [“You aren't scared of limes, are you?" asked Charlie. The creature laughed, scornfully. "I," it said, "am frightened of nothing." "Nothing?" "Nothing," it said.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/you-aren-t-scared-of-limes-are-you-asked-charlie-the-creature-laughed/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“Dread Lord,” I said. “With respect, I told you that a dragon his age shouldn’t be eating knights. Especially not knights in full plate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-g-huggins/dread-lord-i-said-with-respect-i-told-you-that-a-dragon-his-age/) Scott G. Huggins > [“Maybe I’d better start at the beginning…” “You’re gonna want to sit down,” Jim told the dragon. “Once she gets going, it’s hard to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-macalister/maybe-i-d-better-start-at-the-beginning-you-re-gonna-want-to-sit-down/) [Katie MacAlister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-macalister/) > [“Good,” Dragon said with satisfaction. “Now we’ll try it the other way.” “Other? But this is perfectly fine.” “You can’t get anywhere lying on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-litton/good-dragon-said-with-satisfaction-now-we-ll-try-it-the-other-way/) [Josie Litton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-litton/) > [“Children are infinitely credulous. My Lisa was a dull child, but even so she came up with things that pleased and startled me. 'Are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penelope-lively/children-are-infinitely-credulous-my-lisa-was-a-dull-child-but-even/) [Penelope Lively](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penelope-lively/) > [“Rycca?" "Yes..." "I will take two breaths. Then I am coming out of here, taking that gown off you, and you are going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-litton/rycca-yes-i-will-take-two-breaths-then-i-am-coming-out-of-here-taking/) [Josie Litton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-litton/) > [“Bercelak frowned. “Do we know you?” “I’m Bram,” the dragon said, appearing confused. “I stayed with your parents last summer.” “Oh.” Ghleanna glanced at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-a-aiken/bercelak-frowned-do-we-know-you-i-m-bram-the-dragon-said-appearing/) [G.A. Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-a-aiken/) > [I'm not crazy or anything, but I'm so into my music, I assume the role of Dragon and that's why I said 'Return of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sisqo/i-m-not-crazy-or-anything-but-i-m-so-into-my-music-i-assume-the-role/) [Sisqo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sisqo/) > [“Who is to say that your friend's life is worth more than a Dragon's?' said One Eye, who was taking up most of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cressida-cowell/who-is-to-say-that-your-friend-s-life-is-worth-more-than-a-dragon-s/) [Cressida Cowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cressida-cowell/) > [“\*You have learned well,\* Dragon said. \*But heed me, little one. You must guard the webs you weave that make dreams into flesh. Many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-bishop/you-have-learned-well-dragon-said-but-heed-me-little-one-you-must/) [Anne Bishop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-bishop/) > [“A dragon for a familiar!" Trom exclaimed. "That's what I said to her or close to it anyway," the dragon said. "You're supposed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-priester/a-dragon-for-a-familiar-trom-exclaimed-that-s-what-i-said-to-her-or/) [Jennifer Priester](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-priester/) > [“It’s more powerful than a regular dragon,” said Master Kung.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-anderson/it-s-more-powerful-than-a-regular-dragon-said-master-kung/) [Alex Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-anderson/) > [“Still,” I said, “I am sorry. But I was desperate to rescue my sister.” “I understand,” the sagging dragon assured me. He explained, “I,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivian-vande-velde/still-i-said-i-am-sorry-but-i-was-desperate-to-rescue-my-sister-i/) [Vivian Vande Velde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivian-vande-velde/) > [“Dragon!” she said and moved ahead of her husband to greet her brother-in-law with a warm hug. “You look well. The leg is still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-litton/dragon-she-said-and-moved-ahead-of-her-husband-to-greet-her-brother/) [Josie Litton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-litton/) > [“The day wore on.While yet Rycca slept, Dragon did all the things she had said he would do-paced back and forth, contemplated mayhem,and even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-litton/the-day-wore-on-while-yet-rycca-slept-dragon-did-all-the-things-she/) [Josie Litton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-litton/) ## More by Neil Gaiman > [“People talk about books that write themselves, and it's a lie. Books don't write themselves. It takes thought and research and a backache and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/people-talk-about-books-that-write-themselves-and-it-s-a-lie-books/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“Like all sentient beings, Fat Charlie had a weirdness quotient. For some days the needle had been over in the red, occasionally banging jerkily…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/like-all-sentient-beings-fat-charlie-had-a-weirdness-quotient-for/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“Shadow crawled across the floor to the yellow foam-rubber pad and climbed onto it, pulling the thin blanket over himself, and closed his eyes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/shadow-crawled-across-the-floor-to-the-yellow-foam-rubber-pad-and/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [ “\[T\]hey could not help being amused every time another little human believed itself the center of its world, as each of us does.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/t-hey-could-not-help-being-amused-every-time-another-little-human/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [So many things to see, people to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/so-many-things-to-see-people-to-do/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.’ – Ben Franklin,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/three-may-keep-a-secret-if-two-of-them-are-dead-ben-franklin/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [You need more than a beginning if you're going to start a book. If all you have is a beginning, then once you've written…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/you-need-more-than-a-beginning-if-you-re-going-to-start-a-book-if-all/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [You can tell the date of an old science fiction novel by every word on the page. Nothing dates harder and faster and more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/you-can-tell-the-date-of-an-old-science-fiction-novel-by-every-word/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“The quickest way is sometimes the longest.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/the-quickest-way-is-sometimes-the-longest/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“They were spells, spelled with words to make worlds, waiting for me, in the pages of books.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/they-were-spells-spelled-with-words-to-make-worlds-waiting-for-me-in/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [Finish what you're writing. Whatever you have to do to finish it, finish it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/finish-what-you-re-writing-whatever-you-have-to-do-to-finish-it/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [What do stars do? They shine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/what-do-stars-do-they-shine/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“What," asked Mr Croup, "do you want?" "What," asked the Marquis de Carabas, a little more rhetorically, "does anyone want?" "Dead things," suggested Mr…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/what-asked-mr-croup-do-you-want-what-asked-the-marquis-de-carabas-a/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [You get on with your own life. Lettie gave it to you. You just have to grow up and try and be worth it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/you-get-on-with-your-own-life-lettie-gave-it-to-you-you-just-have-to/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [“Eyes will not see you. Minds will not hold you. Where you are is nothing and nobody”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/eyes-will-not-see-you-minds-will-not-hold-you-where-you-are-is/) [neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) [Explore all 2,526 Neil Gaiman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) ## More Dragon quotes > [ “Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus \[ never tickle a sleeping dragon \]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/draco-dormiens-nunquam-titillandus-never-tickle-a-sleeping-dragon/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [Arouse a bee and it will come at you with the force of a dragon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/takeda-shingen/arouse-a-bee-and-it-will-come-at-you-with-the-force-of-a-dragon/) [Takeda Shingen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/takeda-shingen/) > [Either dragons should exist completely or fail to exist at all, he felt. A dragon only half-existing was worse than the extremes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/either-dragons-should-exist-completely-or-fail-to-exist-at-all-he/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“If you banish the dragons, you banish the heroes...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-solomon/if-you-banish-the-dragons-you-banish-the-heroes/) [Andrew Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-solomon/) > [I especially like the songs Hurry Up and The Curse Of Castle Dragon, and I often include them in my live show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-gilbert/i-especially-like-the-songs-hurry-up-and-the-curse-of-castle-dragon/) [Paul Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-gilbert/) > [“You must see her pucker when she’s a dragon.” “This pucker can light your ass on fire, missy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrienne-woods/you-must-see-her-pucker-when-she-s-a-dragon-this-pucker-can-light/) [Adrienne Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrienne-woods/) > [“I will always be within reach if you need me, little one...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-r-von/i-will-always-be-within-reach-if-you-need-me-little-one/) [A.R. Von](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-r-von/) > [“Unable to help herself, she traced the tat, startled by the black and red ink mixed together. But it was the dragon design itself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-grant/unable-to-help-herself-she-traced-the-tat-startled-by-the-black-and/) [Donna Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-grant/) > [The Soyuz is probably only slightly smaller than the Dragon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-walker/the-soyuz-is-probably-only-slightly-smaller-than-the-dragon/) [Shannon Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-walker/) > [Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/fairy-tales-are-more-than-true-not-because-they-tell-us-that-dragons/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“In the alchemy of man's soul almost all noble attributes--courage, honor, love, hope, faith, duty, loyalty, etc.--can be transmuted into ruthlessness. Compassion alone stands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/in-the-alchemy-of-man-s-soul-almost-all-noble-attributes-courage/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [To have dragons one must have change; that is the first principle of dragon lore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loren-eiseley/to-have-dragons-one-must-have-change-that-is-the-first-principle-of/) [Loren Eiseley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loren-eiseley/) > [I know how the birds fly, how the fishes swim, how animals run. But there is the Dragon. I cannot tell how it mounts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/i-know-how-the-birds-fly-how-the-fishes-swim-how-animals-run-but/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [It was always that detail that drove me. Ever since I was a little kid, I used to get into the nitty gritty... when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graeme-base/it-was-always-that-detail-that-drove-me-ever-since-i-was-a-little-kid/) [Graeme Base](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graeme-base/) > [Holly is alive,' thought Foaly 'My princess lives,'exulted Orion. 'And we're chasing a dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/holly-is-alive-thought-foaly-my-princess-lives-exulted-orion-and-we/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) [Browse all 704 Dragon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dragon/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“A voice from the creature, smooth as buttered oil. \"He-llo,\" is said. \"Ding-dong. You look remarkably like dinner.\" I'm Charlie Nancy,\" said Charlie Nancy. \"Who are you?\" I am Dragon,\" said the dragon. \"And I shall devour you in one slow mouthful, little man in a hat.\" Charlie blinked. What would my father do? He wondered. What would Spider have done?... Er. You’re bored with talking to me now, and you’re going to let me pass unhindered,” he told the dragon, with as much conviction as he was able to muster. Gosh. Good try. But I’m afraid I’m not,” said the dragon, enthusiastically. Actually, I’m going to eat you.” You aren’t scared of limes, are you?” asked Charlie, before remembering that he’d given the lime to Daisy. The creature laughed, scornfully. “I,” it said, “am frightened of nothing.” Nothing?” Nothing,” it said. Charlie said “Are you extremely frightened of nothing?” Absolutely terrified of it,” admitted the Dragon. You know,” said Charlie, “Have nothing in my pockets. Would you like to see it?” No,” said the dragon, uncomfortably, “I most definitely would not.” There was a flapping of wings like sails, and Charlie was alone on the beach. “That,” he said, “was much too easy.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Neil Gaiman" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/a-voice-from-the-creature-smooth-as-buttered-oil-he-llo-is-said-ding/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Dragon" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/a-voice-from-the-creature-smooth-as-buttered-oil-he-llo-is-said-ding/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/701/neil-gaiman-29_little-man_a-voice-from-the-creature-smooth-as-butt_1546973.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/701/neil-gaiman-29_little-man_a-voice-from-the-creature-smooth-as-butt_1546973.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/701/neil-gaiman-29_little-man_a-voice-from-the-creature-smooth-as-butt_1546973.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A voice from the creature, smooth as buttered oil. \"He-llo,\" is said. \"Ding-dong. 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