--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But why were there dryads at all? As far…" description: "\"“But why were there dryads at all? As far as he could recall, the tree people had died out centuries before. They had been out-evolved by humans, like ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f85/terry-pratchett-19_dryads_but-why-were-there-dryads-at-all-as-far_3228703.jpg" --- # But why were there dryads at all? As far as he could… ![“But why were there dryads at all? As far as he could recall, the tree people had died out centuries before. They had been out-evolved by humans, like most of the other Twilight Peoples. Only elves and trolls had survived the coming of Man to the discworld; the elves because they were altogether…” quote by Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f85/terry-pratchett-19_dryads_but-why-were-there-dryads-at-all-as-far_3228703.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f85/terry-pratchett-19_dryads_but-why-were-there-dryads-at-all-as-far_3228703.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f85/terry-pratchett-19_dryads_but-why-were-there-dryads-at-all-as-far_3228703.jpg) > ““But why were there dryads at all? As far as he could recall, the tree people had died out centuries before. They had been out-evolved by humans, like most of the other Twilight Peoples. Only elves and trolls had survived the coming of Man to the discworld; the elves because they were altogether too clever by half, and the trollen folk because they were at least as good as humans at being nasty, spiteful and greedy. Dryads were supposed to have died out, along with gnomes and pixies.”” [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Dryads, thought extinct, persist due to narrative necessity, highlighting how world‑building can bend ecological logic for storytelling. **In simple terms:** Dryads survive despite being supposedly extinct. Key Takeaway Accept creative liberties in fantasy world‑building. Themes fantasy world‑building mythology creature ecology humor Mood playful thoughtful humorous Type literary creative analytical When to use this quote - role‑playing games - creative writing - world design Key Concepts narrative design ecological plausibility genre conventions Questions to Reflect On - Why do authors keep extinct species alive in stories? - What does this say about myth versus reality? A Different Perspective Readers may find inconsistencies jarring if not framed humorously. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dryads](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dryads/) ## Related quotes > [“Only elves and trolls had survived the coming of Man to the Discworld; the elves because they were altogether too clever by half, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/only-elves-and-trolls-had-survived-the-coming-of-man-to-the-discworld/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“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/) > [“What if I can’t?” I whispered. “What if the Iron King truly is invincible?” “Then we will all die,” said the Elder Dryad, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/what-if-i-can-t-i-whispered-what-if-the-iron-king-truly-is-invincible/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [“Then Bacchus and Silenus and the Maenads began a dance, far wilder than the dance of the trees; not merely a dance of fun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis-2/then-bacchus-and-silenus-and-the-maenads-began-a-dance-far-wilder/) [C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis-2/) > [ Oh Trees, Trees, Trees...wake. Don't you remember it? Don't you remember me? Dryads and hamadryads, come out, come \[out\] to me. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/oh-trees-trees-trees-wake-don-t-you-remember-it-don-t-you-remember-me/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“We strike our blow, even as Pierre has said. We strike at the coppice that you so desire. We strike there because it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-merritt/we-strike-our-blow-even-as-pierre-has-said-we-strike-at-the-coppice/) [A. Merritt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-merritt/) > [“Lucy's eyes began to grow accustomed to the light, and she saw the trees that were nearest her more distinctly. A great longing for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis-2/lucy-s-eyes-began-to-grow-accustomed-to-the-light-and-she-saw-the/) [C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis-2/) > [“All the trees of the world appeared to be rushing towards Aslan. But as they drew nearer they looked less like trees, and when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis-2/all-the-trees-of-the-world-appeared-to-be-rushing-towards-aslan-but/) [C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis-2/) > [“Yes; but if dryads are foolish they must take the consequences, just as if they were real people," said Paul gravely. "Do you know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-m-montgomery/yes-but-if-dryads-are-foolish-they-must-take-the-consequences-just-as/) [L.M. Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-m-montgomery/) > [Metallic trees. That's new. If you see any steel dryads, be sure to tell me so I can run away screaming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/metallic-trees-that-s-new-if-you-see-any-steel-dryads-be-sure-to-tell/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) ## More by Terry Pratchett > [“This one’s mental.’ ‘Eccentric.’ ‘What’s the difference?’ ‘A bag of cash.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/this-one-s-mental-eccentric-what-s-the-difference-a-bag-of-cash/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“But I did not return until half past four this morning and I distinctly remember stubbing my toe on the stairs. I am as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/but-i-did-not-return-until-half-past-four-this-morning-and-i/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“The universe contains any amount of horrible ways to be woken up, such as the noise of the mob breaking down the front door,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/the-universe-contains-any-amount-of-horrible-ways-to-be-woken-up-such/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“Someone broke from the scrum and, punching and kicking, staggered towards the Klatchian goal. "Isn't that man your butler?" said Ahmed. "Yes." "One of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/someone-broke-from-the-scrum-and-punching-and-kicking-staggered/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [It's an interesting fact that fewer than 17 % of Real cats end their lives with the same name they started with. Much family…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/it-s-an-interesting-fact-that-fewer-than-17-of-real-cats-end-their/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [You can't trust folk songs. They always sneak up on you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/you-can-t-trust-folk-songs-they-always-sneak-up-on-you/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [Either dragons should exist completely or fail to exist at all, he felt. A dragon only half-existing was worse than the extremes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/either-dragons-should-exist-completely-or-fail-to-exist-at-all-he/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“Magrat wondered what it was like, spending your whole life doing something you didn’t want to do. Like being dead, she considered, only worse,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/magrat-wondered-what-it-was-like-spending-your-whole-life-doing/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [A hardback's harder at Christmas time because that's a good hardback buying time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/a-hardback-s-harder-at-christmas-time-because-that-s-a-good-hardback/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“There were more old people. The world was full of them,' said the wizard. 'Yes, I know. And now it's full of young people.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/there-were-more-old-people-the-world-was-full-of-them-said-the-wizard/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“Hobson was big and heavyset, but not exactly fat; he was probably what you’d get if you shaved a bear.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/hobson-was-big-and-heavyset-but-not-exactly-fat-he-was-probably-what/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“There is a night that never comes to an end… The clock of the world turns under its own shadow. Midnight is a moving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/there-is-a-night-that-never-comes-to-an-end-the-clock-of-the-world/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“You'd like Freedom, Truth, and Justice, wouldn't you, Comrade Sergeant?' said Reg encouragingly. 'I'd like a hard-boiled egg,' said Vimes, shaking the match out.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/you-d-like-freedom-truth-and-justice-wouldn-t-you-comrade-sergeant/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“You are not apprehensive, are you? I can't detect no trace of fear none whatsoever Roomy cranium all possible videos of all possible outcomes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/you-are-not-apprehensive-are-you-i-can-t-detect-no-trace-of-fear-none/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [Imagination, not intelligence, made us human.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/imagination-not-intelligence-made-us-human/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) [Explore all 3,328 Terry Pratchett quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) ## More Dryads quotes > [“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/) > [“Yes; but if dryads are foolish they must take the consequences, just as if they were real people," said Paul gravely. "Do you know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-m-montgomery/yes-but-if-dryads-are-foolish-they-must-take-the-consequences-just-as/) [L.M. Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-m-montgomery/) > [“All the trees of the world appeared to be rushing towards Aslan. But as they drew nearer they looked less like trees, and when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis-2/all-the-trees-of-the-world-appeared-to-be-rushing-towards-aslan-but/) [C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis-2/) > [“Lucy's eyes began to grow accustomed to the light, and she saw the trees that were nearest her more distinctly. A great longing for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis-2/lucy-s-eyes-began-to-grow-accustomed-to-the-light-and-she-saw-the/) [C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis-2/) > [“We strike our blow, even as Pierre has said. We strike at the coppice that you so desire. We strike there because it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-merritt/we-strike-our-blow-even-as-pierre-has-said-we-strike-at-the-coppice/) [A. Merritt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-merritt/) > [ Oh Trees, Trees, Trees...wake. Don't you remember it? Don't you remember me? Dryads and hamadryads, come out, come \[out\] to me. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/oh-trees-trees-trees-wake-don-t-you-remember-it-don-t-you-remember-me/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Then Bacchus and Silenus and the Maenads began a dance, far wilder than the dance of the trees; not merely a dance of fun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis-2/then-bacchus-and-silenus-and-the-maenads-began-a-dance-far-wilder/) [C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis-2/) > [“What if I can’t?” I whispered. “What if the Iron King truly is invincible?” “Then we will all die,” said the Elder Dryad, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/what-if-i-can-t-i-whispered-what-if-the-iron-king-truly-is-invincible/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) > [Metallic trees. That's new. If you see any steel dryads, be sure to tell me so I can run away screaming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-kagawa/metallic-trees-that-s-new-if-you-see-any-steel-dryads-be-sure-to-tell/) [Julie Kagawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-kagawa/) [Browse all 10 Dryads quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dryads/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“But why were there dryads at all? As far as he could recall, the tree people had died out centuries before. They had been out-evolved by humans, like most of the other Twilight Peoples. Only elves and trolls had survived the coming of Man to the discworld; the elves because they were altogether too clever by half, and the trollen folk because they were at least as good as humans at being nasty, spiteful and greedy. 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