Air Quote by Terry Pratchett
“Nigel gave the lamp a cautious buff and small smoking red letters appeared in the air. "Hi," Nigel read aloud, "Do not put down the lamp because your custom is important to us. Please leave a wish after the tone and, very shortly, it will be our command. In the meantime, have a nice eternity."”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Discworld – The Light Fantastic, 1986
A whimsical warning about a lamp that grants wishes, highlighting the absurdity of bureaucratic promises.
In simple terms: A lamp offers wishes with a humorous twist.
Key Takeaway
Question the fine of too‑good‑to‑be‑true offers.
Themes
fantasy
humor
wish fulfillment
bureaucracy
Mood
playful
critical
Type
literary
satirical
When to use this quote
- advertising
- customer service
- personal wishes
Key Concepts
satire
magical realism
consumer culture
Questions to Reflect On
- What would you wish for from a mysterious source?
- How do you handle too‑good‑to‑be‑true offers?
A Different Perspective
Promises may hide hidden costs.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
![“[A]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air. And be careful what you swallow.” quote by Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/da8/dr-seuss-1224_advice_a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-f_6806.jpg)