--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The unicorn was gray and still. \"There is…" description: "\"“The unicorn was gray and still. \"There is magic on me,\" she said. \"Why did you not tell me?\" \"I thought you knew,\" the magician answered gently. \"Afte..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d7/peter-s-beagle-1665_magician_the-unicorn-was-gray-and-still-there-is_2845356.png" --- # The unicorn was gray and still. "There is magic on me,"… ![“The unicorn was gray and still. "There is magic on me," she said. "Why did you not tell me?" "I thought you knew," the magician answered gently. "After all, didn't you wonder how it could be that they recognized you?" Then he smiled, which made him look a little older. "No, of course not. You…” quote by Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d7/peter-s-beagle-1665_magician_the-unicorn-was-gray-and-still-there-is_2845356.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d7/peter-s-beagle-1665_magician_the-unicorn-was-gray-and-still-there-is_2845356.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d7/peter-s-beagle-1665_magician_the-unicorn-was-gray-and-still-there-is_2845356.png) > ““The unicorn was gray and still. "There is magic on me," she said. "Why did you not tell me?" "I thought you knew," the magician answered gently. "After all, didn't you wonder how it could be that they recognized you?" Then he smiled, which made him look a little older. "No, of course not. You never would wonder about that." "There has never been a spell on me before," the unicorn said. She shivered long and deep. "There has never been a world in which I was not known.”” [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 unicorn confronts a magician about hidden magic and identity, revealing deep longing for recognition and belonging. **In simple terms:** A magical being seeks to be known and understood. Key Takeaway Seek authentic connection and acknowledge hidden selves. Themes identity magic recognition loneliness truth Mood melancholic hopeful reflective Type literary philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - friendship - personal growth - creative writing - mental health counseling Key Concepts mythology existential longing self‑discovery Questions to Reflect On - What does being truly known mean to you? - How do you confront hidden aspects of yourself? A Different Perspective The narrative assumes magical realism is universally relatable, which may not resonate with all audiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Knew Magician](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knew-magician-1139487/) [Long And Deep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-and-deep/) [Magician](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magician/) [Magician Answered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magician-answered-3753788/) [Spell Unicorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spell-unicorn-3753789/) [Unicorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unicorn/) [Unicorn Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unicorn-said-3132861/) ## Related quotes > [“So, what’s the issue with Unicorns?” “Imagine a cat,” Rose said. “Not just a cat, but a cat that is such a cat, other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-fields/so-what-s-the-issue-with-unicorns-imagine-a-cat-rose-said-not-just-a/) [Bryan Fields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-fields/) > [“That is because it is a monstrous thing, to slay a unicorn,” said Firenze. “Only one who has nothing to lose, and everything to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/that-is-because-it-is-a-monstrous-thing-to-slay-a-unicorn-said/) [J.K. 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Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [The unicorn halted in her slow, desperate round of the cage, realizing for the first time that the magician understood her speech. He smiled,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/the-unicorn-halted-in-her-slow-desperate-round-of-the-cage-realizing/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [The unicorn lived in a lilac wood, and she lived all alone. She was very old, though she did not know it, and she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/the-unicorn-lived-in-a-lilac-wood-and-she-lived-all-alone-she-was/) [Peter S. Beagle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-s-beagle/) > [Unicorn. Old French, unicorne. Latin, unicornis. Literally, one-horned: unus, one and cornu,a horn. A fabulous animal resembling a horse with one horn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-s-beagle/unicorn-old-french-unicorne-latin-unicornis-literally-one-horned-unus/) [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [...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/) ## 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. 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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 Magician quotes > [“He sighed. "Look, love, I know I seem like a tactical genius, but really, I'm just a magician who occasionally kills a bunny or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/delilah-s-dawson/he-sighed-look-love-i-know-i-seem-like-a-tactical-genius-but-really-i/) [Delilah S. Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/delilah-s-dawson/) > [Most magicians consider the palm an easy move to make. They are inclined to believe that they are 'getting away with it,' when they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dai-vernon/most-magicians-consider-the-palm-an-easy-move-to-make-they-are/) [Dai Vernon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dai-vernon/) > [In all forms of magick, the imagination or image-making faculty is the most important factor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-grant/in-all-forms-of-magick-the-imagination-or-image-making-faculty-is-the/) [Kenneth Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-grant/) > [“This is the man who thinks too much, who stands back from his life and never lives it. 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He seemed to dislike the question. “I suppose a magician…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-clarke/can-a-magician-kill-a-man-by-magic-lord-wellington-asked-strange/) [Susanna Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanna-clarke/) [Browse all 639 Magician quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magician/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The unicorn was gray and still. \"There is magic on me,\" she said. \"Why did you not tell me?\" \"I thought you knew,\" the magician answered gently. \"After all, didn't you wonder how it could be that they recognized you?\" Then he smiled, which made him look a little older. \"No, of course not. You never would wonder about that.\" \"There has never been a spell on me before,\" the unicorn said. She shivered long and deep. \"There has never been a world in which I was not known.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Peter S. 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