--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I didn't know unicorns had names,\" I…" description: "\"“I didn't know unicorns had names,\" I said. \"I didn't know they ever loved people.\" \"They don't. Only this one.\" He turned and walked away swiftly, say..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3b/peter-s-beagle-1665_love_i-didn-t-know-unicorns-had-names-i-said_1079622.jpg" --- # I didn't know unicorns had names," I said. "I didn't know… ![“I didn't know unicorns had names," I said. "I didn't know they ever loved people." "They don't. Only this one." He turned and walked away swiftly, saying over his shoulder, "Her name was Amalthea.” quote by Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3b/peter-s-beagle-1665_love_i-didn-t-know-unicorns-had-names-i-said_1079622.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3b/peter-s-beagle-1665_love_i-didn-t-know-unicorns-had-names-i-said_1079622.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c3b/peter-s-beagle-1665_love_i-didn-t-know-unicorns-had-names-i-said_1079622.jpg) > ““I didn't know unicorns had names," I said. "I didn't know they ever loved people." "They don't. Only this one." He turned and walked away swiftly, saying over his shoulder, "Her name was Amalthea.”” [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character discovers that mythical beings, thought to be aloof, can experience love and individuality, challenging assumptions. **In simple terms:** Even mythical beings can love and have names. Key Takeaway Recognize humanity in the unexpected. Themes myth identity compassion Mood wonder thoughtful Type literary contemplative When to use this quote - literary analysis - personal growth - creative writing Key Concepts personhood empathy Questions to Reflect On - What does naming a creature signify? - How do we project humanity onto myths? A Different Perspective The fantasy may oversimplify complex emotions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Know Unicorns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-unicorns-2561977/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Names Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/names-said-1861898/) [Unicorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unicorn/) [Unicorns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unicorns/) [Unicorns Names](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unicorns-names-2733731/) [Walked away](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/walked-away/) ## Related quotes > [“I squeal, doing a happy dance. ”Wow, that was easier than I thought,” I said, smiling. “But I want to confirm that I'm paying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aurora-rose-reynolds/i-squeal-doing-a-happy-dance-wow-that-was-easier-than-i-thought-i/) [Aurora Rose Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aurora-rose-reynolds/) > [Unicorns are not to be forgiven." The magician felt himself growing giddy with jealousy, not only of the touch but of something like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/unicorns-are-not-to-be-forgiven-the-magician-felt-himself-growing/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [“From that first moment of doubt, there was no peace for her; from the time she first imagined leaving her forest, she could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/from-that-first-moment-of-doubt-there-was-no-peace-for-her-from-the/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [How can it be?" she wondered. "I suppose I could understand it if men had simply forgotten unicorns(…) But not to see them at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/how-can-it-be-she-wondered-i-suppose-i-could-understand-it-if-men-had/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [Unicorns are immortal. It is their nature to live alone in one place: usually a forest where there is a pool clear enough for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/unicorns-are-immortal-it-is-their-nature-to-live-alone-in-one-place-2/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [“I know exactly how you feel," Schmendrick said eagerly. The unicorn looked at him out of dark, endless eyes, and he smiled nervously and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/i-know-exactly-how-you-feel-schmendrick-said-eagerly-the-unicorn/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [“Why did they go away, do you think? If there ever were such things." "Who knows? Times change. Would you call this age a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/why-did-they-go-away-do-you-think-if-there-ever-were-such-things-who/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [What do men know? Because they have seen no unicorns for a while does not mean we have all vanished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/what-do-men-know-because-they-have-seen-no-unicorns-for-a-while-does/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [“Unicorns are immortal. It is their nature to live alone in one place: usually a forest where there is a pool clear enough for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/unicorns-are-immortal-it-is-their-nature-to-live-alone-in-one-place/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [I suppose I could understand it if men had simply forgotten unicorns, but not to see them at all, to look at them and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/i-suppose-i-could-understand-it-if-men-had-simply-forgotten-unicorns-2/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [“Unicorns know naught of shame, or need, or doubt, or debt; But mortals, as you may have noticed, take what they can get.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/unicorns-know-naught-of-shame-or-need-or-doubt-or-debt-but-mortals-as/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [“I suppose I could understand it if men had simply forgotten unicorns, or if they had changed so that they hated all unicorns now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/i-suppose-i-could-understand-it-if-men-had-simply-forgotten-unicorns/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [ “\[The unicorn\] sighed and plodded on, both amused and disappointed. It serves you right, she told herself. You know better than to expect a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/the-unicorn-sighed-and-plodded-on-both-amused-and-disappointed-it/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [I believe I'm a unicorn. Unicorns are very magical and powerful and strong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justine-skye/i-believe-i-m-a-unicorn-unicorns-are-very-magical-and-powerful-and/) [Justine Skye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justine-skye/) > [“Metal makes everything magical. Just ask a unicorn.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sybrina-durant/metal-makes-everything-magical-just-ask-a-unicorn/) [Sybrina Durant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sybrina-durant/) ## More by Peter S. Beagle > [Your name is a golden bell hung in my heart. I would break my body to pieces to call you once by your name.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/your-name-is-a-golden-bell-hung-in-my-heart-i-would-break-my-body-to/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [Farewell,' she said. 'I hope you hear many more songs' - which was the best way she could think of to say good-bye to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/farewell-she-said-i-hope-you-hear-many-more-songs-which-was-the-best/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [He is a great enough magician to tap our most common nightmares, daydreams and twilight fancies, but he never invented them either: he found…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/he-is-a-great-enough-magician-to-tap-our-most-common-nightmares/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [...no place is more enchanted than where a unicorn has been born.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/no-place-is-more-enchanted-than-where-a-unicorn-has-been-born/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [“...and it's not my place to chase around after you, fixing stuff. What I know's what I know, and it don't include putting the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/and-it-s-not-my-place-to-chase-around-after-you-fixing-stuff-what-i/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [The most professional curse ever snarled or croaked or thundered can have no effect on a pure heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/the-most-professional-curse-ever-snarled-or-croaked-or-thundered-can/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [“The baloney weighed the raven down, and the shopkeeper almost caught him as he whisked out the delicatessen door.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/the-baloney-weighed-the-raven-down-and-the-shopkeeper-almost-caught/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [Men have to have heroes, but no man can ever be as big as the need, and so a legend grows around a grain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/men-have-to-have-heroes-but-no-man-can-ever-be-as-big-as-the-need-and/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [A Clock is not time; it's numbers and springs. Pay it no mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/a-clock-is-not-time-it-s-numbers-and-springs-pay-it-no-mind/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [Heroes know that things must happen when it is time for them to happen. A quest may not simply be abandoned; unicorns may go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/heroes-know-that-things-must-happen-when-it-is-time-for-them-to/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [The Lady Amalthea beckoned, and the cat wriggled all over, like a dog, but he would not come near... She was offering her open…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/the-lady-amalthea-beckoned-and-the-cat-wriggled-all-over-like-a-dog/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [“Where have you been?" she cried. "Damn you, where have you been?" She took a few steps toward Schmendrick, but she was looking beyond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/where-have-you-been-she-cried-damn-you-where-have-you-been-she-took-a/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [Unicorns are not to be forgiven." The magician felt himself growing giddy with jealousy, not only of the touch but of something like a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/unicorns-are-not-to-be-forgiven-the-magician-felt-himself-growing/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [The magician stood erect, menacing the attackers with demons, metamorphoses, paralyzing ailments, and secret judo holds. Molly picked up a rock.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/the-magician-stood-erect-menacing-the-attackers-with-demons/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [You pile of stones, you waste, you desolation, I'll stuff you with misery till it comes out of your eyes. I'll change your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/you-pile-of-stones-you-waste-you-desolation-i-ll-stuff-you-with/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) [Explore all 218 Peter S. Beagle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) ## More Love quotes > [Whatever meaning 'Annie's Song' had for me on a personal level, there was also a larger context. 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