Childhood Quote by Paulette Jiles
““So they all went home afterwards. My sisters and I sat on the veranda and cried until a storm drove us inside. We agreed to meet in the barn loft for crying once a week but after a while we forgot. Once we did but nobody could work up a cry and we started playing wolves and chickens and Little Mary had to be the chicken and Savannah shoved her out of the loft and broke her collarbone. The hearts of children are hard naturally because of their short memories. Everything they play with becomes true and unquestionable such as an acorn cap for a Holy Grail, such is the power of the untrained mind, and all our training of it is both of advantage and not. ””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Evening and by Paulette Jiles, 1999
Children’s memories are fleeting, so their play can turn imagined objects into unquestioned truths, shaping their perception of reality.
In simple terms: Kids quickly forget, making their games feel real and influential.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how early experiences shape belief.
Themes
childhood
imagination
memory
truth
perception
Mood
nostalgic
reflective
thoughtful
Type
narrative
reflective
psychological
When to use this quote
- family gatherings
- play therapy
- education
- storytelling
- parenting
Key Concepts
psychology
development
cognitive bias
Questions to Reflect On
- How do early games influence adult beliefs?
- What role does memory play in shaping reality?
A Different Perspective
Children may later reinterpret or forget the emotional impact of these moments.
