--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There was a tale he had read once, long…" description: "\"There was a tale he had read once, long ago, as a small boy: the story of a traveler who had slipped down a cliff, with man-eating tigers above him and..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/085/neil-gaiman-29_boys_there-was-a-tale-he-had-read-once-long-a_902698.jpg" --- # There was a tale he had read once, long ago, as a small… ![“There was a tale he had read once, long ago, as a small boy: the story of a traveler who had slipped down a cliff, with man-eating tigers above him and a lethal fall below him, who managed to stop his fall halfway down the side of the cliff, holding on for dear life. There was a clump of…” quote by Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/085/neil-gaiman-29_boys_there-was-a-tale-he-had-read-once-long-a_902698.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/085/neil-gaiman-29_boys_there-was-a-tale-he-had-read-once-long-a_902698.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/085/neil-gaiman-29_boys_there-was-a-tale-he-had-read-once-long-a_902698.jpg) > “There was a tale he had read once, long ago, as a small boy: the story of a traveler who had slipped down a cliff, with man-eating tigers above him and a lethal fall below him, who managed to stop his fall halfway down the side of the cliff, holding on for dear life. There was a clump of strawberries beside him, and certain death above him and below. What should he do? went the question. And the reply was, Eat the strawberries. The story had never made sense to him as a boy. It did now.” [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 traveler trapped between deadly tigers and a cliff chooses to eat strawberries, symbolizing embracing small joys despite overwhelming danger. **In simple terms:** He chooses to enjoy a small pleasure amid danger. Key Takeaway Find simple joys in dire situations. Themes choice survival joy Mood reflective hopeful Type fictional philosophical When to use this quote - adventure - crisis management - personal growth Key Concepts risk assessment mindfulness decision making Questions to Reflect On - What small pleasure can you savor now? - When is it wise to pause in danger? A Different Perspective Choosing pleasure may ignore larger threats. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Boys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boys/) [Certain death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/certain-death/) [Eating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eating/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Long ago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-ago/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/story/) [Tales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tales/) [Tigers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tigers/) [Traveler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/traveler/) ## Related quotes > [I cannot bear not to know the end of a tale. 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