--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What was I thinking?\" Chiron cried. \" I…" description: "\"“What was I thinking?\" Chiron cried. \" I can't let you get away without this.\" He pulled a pen from his coat pocket. It was an ordinary disposable ball..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f2/rick-riordan-27_ancient-greek_what-was-i-thinking-chiron-cried-i-can-t_900907.jpg" --- # What was I thinking?" Chiron cried. " I can't let you get… ![“What was I thinking?" Chiron cried. " I can't let you get away without this." He pulled a pen from his coat pocket. It was an ordinary disposable ballpoint, black ink, removable cap. Probably thirty cents. Gee," I said. "Thanks." Percy, that's a gift from your father. I've kept it for years, not…” quote by Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f2/rick-riordan-27_ancient-greek_what-was-i-thinking-chiron-cried-i-can-t_900907.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f2/rick-riordan-27_ancient-greek_what-was-i-thinking-chiron-cried-i-can-t_900907.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f2/rick-riordan-27_ancient-greek_what-was-i-thinking-chiron-cried-i-can-t_900907.jpg) > ““What was I thinking?" Chiron cried. " I can't let you get away without this." He pulled a pen from his coat pocket. It was an ordinary disposable ballpoint, black ink, removable cap. Probably thirty cents. Gee," I said. "Thanks." Percy, that's a gift from your father. I've kept it for years, not knowing you were who I was waiting for. But the profecy is clear to me now. You are the one. I remembered the feild trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, when I'd vaporized Mrs. Dodds. Chiron had thrown me a pen that turned into a sword. Could this be...? I took off the cap, and the pen grew longer and heavier in my hand. In half a second, I held a shimmering bronze sword with a double-edged blade, a leather=wrapped grip, and a flat hilt riveted with gold studs. It was the first weapon that actually felt balanced in my hands. The sword has a long and tragic history that we need not go into," Chiron told me. "It's name is Anaklusmos." Riptide," I translated, surprised the Ancient Greek came so easily. Use it only for emergencies" Chiron said, "and only against monsters No hero should harm mortals unless absolutely, of course, but this sword wouldn't harm them in any case.”” [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A magical pen transforms into a sword, symbolizing hidden potential unlocked through courage **In simple terms:** A simple tool becomes a powerful weapon when used bravely Key Takeaway Embrace unexpected gifts and act decisively in crisis Themes heroism transformation destiny mythology Mood adventurous hopeful Type mythic fantasy When to use this quote - emergencies - facing monsters - self-discovery Key Concepts latent power choice responsibility Questions to Reflect On - What does the pen‑to‑sword transformation teach about inner strength? - When should you wield newfound power? A Different Perspective Power may be limited to emergencies and non‑lethal use ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ancient greek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ancient-greek/) [Chiron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chiron/) [Percy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/percy/) [Riptide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/riptide/) [Sword](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sword/) [Weapon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weapon/) ## Related quotes > [Yeah, flattering." Percy raised Riptide. "But actually I'm the son of Poseidon. I'm from Camp Half-Blood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/yeah-flattering-percy-raised-riptide-but-actually-i-m-the-son-of/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Chiron looked surprised. “I thought that would be obvious enough. The entrance to the Underworld is in Los Angeles.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/chiron-looked-surprised-i-thought-that-would-be-obvious-enough-the/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“You'll do well, Percy. Just remember your strengths and beware your weaknesses.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/you-ll-do-well-percy-just-remember-your-strengths-and-beware-your/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Percy glanced over. He saw the fallen giant and seemed to understand what was happening. He yelled something that was lost in the wind,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/percy-glanced-over-he-saw-the-fallen-giant-and-seemed-to-understand/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [I pulled out Riptide.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/i-pulled-out-riptide/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [I looked at the campers, all of them grim and determined. I tried not to feel like this was the last time I'd ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/i-looked-at-the-campers-all-of-them-grim-and-determined-i-tried-not/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Doubtful, but it did work... "Annabeth?" Percy said again. "You're planning something. You've got that I'm-planning-something look." "I don't have an I'm-planning-something look." "Yeah,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/doubtful-but-it-did-work-annabeth-percy-said-again-you-re-planning/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“You carry the hopes of humanity into the realm of the eternal. Monsters never die. They are reborn from the chaos and barbarism that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/you-carry-the-hopes-of-humanity-into-the-realm-of-the-eternal/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Argh!" Thalia pushed me, and a shock went through my body that blew me backward ten feet into the water. Some of the campers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/argh-thalia-pushed-me-and-a-shock-went-through-my-body-that-blew-me/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Meg gawked. “He—he really is a centaur.” “Well spotted,” I said. “I suppose the lower body of a horse is what gave him away?”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/meg-gawked-he-he-really-is-a-centaur-well-spotted-i-said-i-suppose/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Percy says be talked to a Nereid in Charleston Harbor!” “Good for him!” Leo yelled back. “The Nereid said we should seek help from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/percy-says-be-talked-to-a-nereid-in-charleston-harbor-good-for-him/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Humans don't exist on the same level as immortals. They can't even be hurt by our weapons. But you, Percy--you are part god, part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/humans-don-t-exist-on-the-same-level-as-immortals-they-can-t-even-be-2/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“You can play with your flamethrower later.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/you-can-play-with-your-flamethrower-later/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“I guess that was nice of Chiron, for the dogs' sake, but it kind of makes me wonder if he's got a Percy Jackson…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/i-guess-that-was-nice-of-chiron-for-the-dogs-sake-but-it-kind-of/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“She glanced back at Chiron for guidance, but the centaur stood grim and silent as if he were watching a play he couldn’t interrupt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/she-glanced-back-at-chiron-for-guidance-but-the-centaur-stood-grim/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) ## More by Rick Riordan > [“It made sense, and I felt kind of stupid. I’d been hanging around dryads”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/it-made-sense-and-i-felt-kind-of-stupid-i-d-been-hanging-around-dryads/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“That awkward moment when you jump out a window because your friend jumped out a window, then you remember that your other friend can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/that-awkward-moment-when-you-jump-out-a-window-because-your-friend/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Oh, dear Hazel.” Aphrodite folded her fan. “Such optimism, yet you have heartrending days ahead of you. Of course war is coming. Love and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/oh-dear-hazel-aphrodite-folded-her-fan-such-optimism-yet-you-have/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Kids, if anything, are harder to write for because they are a more discerning audience. They will not stay with you if you go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/kids-if-anything-are-harder-to-write-for-because-they-are-a-more/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“He started toward the entrance. Seriously, how could he not? He stopped when he noticed the girl. She was kneeling in her vegetable garden,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/he-started-toward-the-entrance-seriously-how-could-he-not-he-stopped/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Hercules used noise! Brass bells! He scared them away with the most horrible sound he could-" said Percy "Percy... Chiron's collection!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/hercules-used-noise-brass-bells-he-scared-them-away-with-the-most/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“When you take someone’s hand and lead them to Valhalla, you get a glimpse into their soul.” “Did that happen when you took me?”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/when-you-take-someone-s-hand-and-lead-them-to-valhalla-you-get-a/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“he didn’t look as good as Piper had last night after she’d suddenly been transformed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/he-didn-t-look-as-good-as-piper-had-last-night-after-she-d-suddenly/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [There’s my baby!” I cried, quite carried away. “There’s my Poochiekins!” Ammit ran at me and leaped into my arms, nuzzling me with his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/there-s-my-baby-i-cried-quite-carried-away-there-s-my-poochiekins/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Leo plunked the cheese wheel in front of me. "Cut me a wedge of this, my good ma. Chop-chop!" I scowled at him. "Don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/leo-plunked-the-cheese-wheel-in-front-of-me-cut-me-a-wedge-of-this-my/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [It's all still about having a good story. You have to have a good story as your anchor, as your main focus. So for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/it-s-all-still-about-having-a-good-story-you-have-to-have-a-good/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [I disobeyed Ra's wishes, and so he ordered my onw father, Shu-" "Hang on," I said. "Shoe?" "S-h-u," she said. "The god of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/i-disobeyed-ra-s-wishes-and-so-he-ordered-my-onw-father-shu-hang-on-i/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [“Nico knelt and picked it up. He regarded Jason, as if waiting for an attack. "If the others found out-" "If the others found…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/nico-knelt-and-picked-it-up-he-regarded-jason-as-if-waiting-for-an/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Wouldn't that put a twist in your toga?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/wouldn-t-that-put-a-twist-in-your-toga/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [ \[Hazel\] hissed in frustration. 'I hate eidolons. I thought Piper made them promise to stay away.' 'Oh...' Frank said, like he'd just had his… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/hazel-hissed-in-frustration-i-hate-eidolons-i-thought-piper-made-them/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) [Explore all 2,993 Rick Riordan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) ## More Ancient greek quotes > [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [In all of Western civilization, there have been societies that celebrating the homosexuality, the ancient Greeks. But they, in fact, protected the institution of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-blackwell/in-all-of-western-civilization-there-have-been-societies-that/) [Ken Blackwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-blackwell/) > [The ancient Greek philosophers were all natural-born dialecticians and Aristotle, the most encyclopaedic intellect among them, had even already analysed the most essential forms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-engels/the-ancient-greek-philosophers-were-all-natural-born-dialecticians/) [Friedrich Engels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-engels/) > [“Greek women were not allowed to be: free and untamed. In fact, Artemis is a bit of a paradox. On the one hand, her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/greek-women-were-not-allowed-to-be-free-and-untamed-in-fact-artemis/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [The ancient Greek oral poets all had this anxiety about the deficiencies of their memories and always began poems by praying to the Muse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-antin/the-ancient-greek-oral-poets-all-had-this-anxiety-about-the/) [David Antin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-antin/) > [“We will have have the dead at our councils. The ancient Greeks voted by stones; these shall vote by tombstones. It is all quite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-k-chesterton/we-will-have-have-the-dead-at-our-councils-the-ancient-greeks-voted/) [G.K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-k-chesterton/) > [Again, if there are really no fairies, why do people believe in them, all over the world? The ancient Greeks believed, so did the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/again-if-there-are-really-no-fairies-why-do-people-believe-in-them/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [I believe in logic, the sequence of cause and effect, and in science its only begotten son our law, which was conceived by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-believe-in-logic-the-sequence-of-cause-and-effect-and-in-science/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Tragedy is a tool for the living to gain wisdom. ‘All men make mistakes,’ said the ancient Greek Sophocles. ‘But a good man yields…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-follett/tragedy-is-a-tool-for-the-living-to-gain-wisdom-all-men-make-mistakes/) [Ken Follett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-follett/) > [The ancient Greek definition of happiness was the full use of your powers along lines of excellence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/the-ancient-greek-definition-of-happiness-was-the-full-use-of-your/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [In some ways, Lotus Eaters is a journey disguised as a party film; there's a circus in the movie, and there are parties, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-mcguinness/in-some-ways-lotus-eaters-is-a-journey-disguised-as-a-party-film/) Alexandra McGuinness > [“Modern architects and engineers are still trying to understand how the ancient Greeks were able to build the Parthenon in ten years when the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-dunn/modern-architects-and-engineers-are-still-trying-to-understand-how/) Christopher Dunn > [Nobody can say a word against Greek: it stamps a man at once as an educated gentlemen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/nobody-can-say-a-word-against-greek-it-stamps-a-man-at-once-as-an/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [“After he cut off their genitals, Chronos threw them into the sea, where they floated in a "white foam." Out of this foam‒or "Aphros”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/after-he-cut-off-their-genitals-chronos-threw-them-into-the-sea-where/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [“One of its (civilisations) most powerful weapons has always been 'barbarity': 'we' know that 'we' are civilised by contrasting ourselves with those we deem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-beard/one-of-its-civilisations-most-powerful-weapons-has-always-been/) [Mary Beard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-beard/) [Browse all 210 Ancient greek quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ancient-greek/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“What was I thinking?\" Chiron cried. \" I can't let you get away without this.\" He pulled a pen from his coat pocket. It was an ordinary disposable ballpoint, black ink, removable cap. Probably thirty cents. Gee,\" I said. \"Thanks.\" Percy, that's a gift from your father. I've kept it for years, not knowing you were who I was waiting for. But the profecy is clear to me now. You are the one. I remembered the feild trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, when I'd vaporized Mrs. Dodds. Chiron had thrown me a pen that turned into a sword. Could this be...? I took off the cap, and the pen grew longer and heavier in my hand. In half a second, I held a shimmering bronze sword with a double-edged blade, a leather=wrapped grip, and a flat hilt riveted with gold studs. It was the first weapon that actually felt balanced in my hands. The sword has a long and tragic history that we need not go into,\" Chiron told me. \"It's name is Anaklusmos.\" Riptide,\" I translated, surprised the Ancient Greek came so easily. Use it only for emergencies\" Chiron said, \"and only against monsters No hero should harm mortals unless absolutely, of course, but this sword wouldn't harm them in any case.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Rick Riordan" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/what-was-i-thinking-chiron-cried-i-can-t-let-you-get-away-without/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ancient greek" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/what-was-i-thinking-chiron-cried-i-can-t-let-you-get-away-without/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f2/rick-riordan-27_ancient-greek_what-was-i-thinking-chiron-cried-i-can-t_900907.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f2/rick-riordan-27_ancient-greek_what-was-i-thinking-chiron-cried-i-can-t_900907.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9f2/rick-riordan-27_ancient-greek_what-was-i-thinking-chiron-cried-i-can-t_900907.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What was I thinking?\" Chiron cried. \" I can't let you get away without this.\" He pulled a pen from his coat…” — Rick Riordan", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Rick Riordan", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“What was I thinking?\" Chiron cried....", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/what-was-i-thinking-chiron-cried-i-can-t-let-you-get-away-without/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/what-was-i-thinking-chiron-cried-i-can-t-let-you-get-away-without/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```