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Children Quote by Nora Roberts

“Don't you know that the less you tell someone, the more they want to know? You're better off to make something up than to say nothing at all." "I'm the youngest of twelve children of two South African missionaries," he said with such ease,she very nearly believed him. "When I was six,I wandered…” quote by Nora Roberts
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““Don't you know that the less you tell someone, the more they want to know? You're better off to make something up than to say nothing at all." "I'm the youngest of twelve children of two South African missionaries," he said with such ease,she very nearly believed him. "When I was six,I wandered into the jungle and was taken in by a pride of lions.I still have a pechant for zebra meat.Then when I was eightteen,I was captured by hunters and sold to a circus.For five years I was the star of the sideshow." "The Lion Boy," Gennie put in. "Naturally.One night during a storm the tent caught fire.In the confusion I escaped.Living off the land, I wandered the country-stealing a few chickens now and again.Eventually an old hermit took me in after I'd saved him from a grizzly." "With your bare hands," Gennie added. "I'm telling the story," he reminded her. "He taught me to read and write. On his deathbead he told me where he'd buried his life savings-a quarter million in gold bullion. After giving him the Viking funeral he'd requested, I had to decide whether to be a stockbroker or go back to the wilderness." "So you decided against Wall Street, came here, and began to collect stamps." "That's about it." "Well," Gennie said after a moment. "With a boring story like that, I can see why you keep it to yourself." "You asked," Grant pointed out. "You might have made something up." "No imagination." She laughed then and leaned her head on his shoulder. "No,I can see you have a very literal mind.””

Nora Roberts

About This Quote

Source Novel: The Lion Boy (fictional excerpt), unknown source

The story illustrates how secrecy and exaggeration can be used to control curiosity, while also showing how personal narratives shape identity.

In simple terms: People hide or embellish facts to manage others' interest.

Key Takeaway

Choose honesty or purposeful storytelling wisely.

Themes

secrecy storytelling identity curiosity trust

Mood

cautious thoughtful

Type

ethical psychological

When to use this quote

  • personal conversations
  • interviews
  • media interviews
  • social media
  • family gatherings

Key Concepts

narrative control psychology

Questions to Reflect On

  • When is it okay to fabricate a story?
  • How does secrecy affect relationships?
A Different Perspective

Exaggeration may damage credibility if discovered.

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