--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Tiffany took a deep breath. This was…" description: "\"“Tiffany took a deep breath. This was about words, and she knew about words. ‘Here is a story to believe,’ she said. ‘Once we were blobs in the sea, an..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b18/terry-pratchett-19_quote_tiffany-took-a-deep-breath-this-was-abou_1357597.jpg" --- # Tiffany took a deep breath. This was about words, and she… ![“Tiffany took a deep breath. This was about words, and she knew about words. ‘Here is a story to believe,’ she said. ‘Once we were blobs in the sea, and then fishes, and then lizards and rats and then monkeys, and hundreds of things in between. This hand was once a fin, this hand once had claws! In…” quote by Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b18/terry-pratchett-19_quote_tiffany-took-a-deep-breath-this-was-abou_1357597.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b18/terry-pratchett-19_quote_tiffany-took-a-deep-breath-this-was-abou_1357597.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b18/terry-pratchett-19_quote_tiffany-took-a-deep-breath-this-was-abou_1357597.jpg) > ““Tiffany took a deep breath. This was about words, and she knew about words. ‘Here is a story to believe,’ she said. ‘Once we were blobs in the sea, and then fishes, and then lizards and rats and then monkeys, and hundreds of things in between. This hand was once a fin, this hand once had claws! In my human mouth I have the pointy teeth of a wolf and the chisel teeth of a rabbit and the grinding teeth of a cow! Our blood is as salty as the sea we used to live in! When we’re frightened the hair on our skins stands up, just like it did when we had fur. We are history! Everything we’ve ever been on the way to becoming us, we still are. Would you like the rest of the story?”” [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. Human evolution is a layered story of adaptation, each form building on the previous, shaping our present selves. **In simple terms:** We are the sum of many past selves. Key Takeaway Embrace your layered history. Themes evolution identity storytelling Mood playful thoughtful Type literary inspirational When to use this quote - education - creative writing - personal growth - cultural studies Key Concepts anthropology psychology mythology Questions to Reflect On - What part of your evolutionary story defines you? - How does acknowledging past forms affect your present? A Different Perspective Complex metaphors may obscure practical meaning. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Breath Words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/breath-words-1907457/) [Human Mouth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-mouth-2370819/) [Tiffany Took](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tiffany-took-4636757/) [Took Deep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/took-deep/) [Words Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words-story-432444/) ## Related quotes > [Oh, the human mouth is a disgusting place. -Gurgle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finding-nemo/oh-the-human-mouth-is-a-disgusting-place-gurgle/) [Finding Nemo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finding-nemo/) > [“I am strong and human with a mouth that works like a man’s and a more intelligible brain, and I demand to be heard.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-george/i-am-strong-and-human-with-a-mouth-that-works-like-a-man-s-and-a-more/) [Caroline George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-george/) > [“I want to keep a human mouth on my coffee table. It’ll be a great conversation starter.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-want-to-keep-a-human-mouth-on-my-coffee-table-it-ll-be-a-great/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [Although only breath, words which I command are immortal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sappho/although-only-breath-words-which-i-command-are-immortal/) [Sappho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sappho/) > [Then others for breath of words respect, Me for my dumb thoughts, speaking in effect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/then-others-for-breath-of-words-respect-me-for-my-dumb-thoughts/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“Although only breath, words which I speak are immortal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sappho/although-only-breath-words-which-i-speak-are-immortal/) [Sappho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sappho/) > [“Breath the words and they will come to life; as of words of magic”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornelia-funke/breath-the-words-and-they-will-come-to-life-as-of-words-of-magic/) [Cornelia Funke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornelia-funke/) > [“Only the living have the privilege of saying they'll fight to the last breath, and words like conviction and resolve don't mean much to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raven/only-the-living-have-the-privilege-of-saying-they-ll-fight-to-the/) [Raven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raven/) > [“Although they are only breath, words which I command are immortal”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sappho/although-they-are-only-breath-words-which-i-command-are-immortal/) [Sappho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sappho/) > [“Now you must close your eyes. Yes, that is it. Selinda, you, too. Good. Good. Bring in the dark that I may teach you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-yolen/now-you-must-close-your-eyes-yes-that-is-it-selinda-you-too-good-good/) [Jane Yolen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-yolen/) > [“Awash in sensation, it took several moments for Charlotte to come to her senses. 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The words of the story poured out of his mouth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-marmon-silko/he-made-a-story-for-all-of-them-a-story-to-give-them-strength-the/) [Leslie Marmon Silko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-marmon-silko/) > [“in other words, his story was part boast, part confession.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-mezrich/in-other-words-his-story-was-part-boast-part-confession/) [Ben Mezrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-mezrich/) ## 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 Words Story quotes > [“in other words, his story was part boast, part confession.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-mezrich/in-other-words-his-story-was-part-boast-part-confession/) [Ben Mezrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-mezrich/) > [He made a story for all of them, a story to give them strength. The words of the story poured out of his mouth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leslie-marmon-silko/he-made-a-story-for-all-of-them-a-story-to-give-them-strength-the/) [Leslie Marmon Silko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leslie-marmon-silko/) > [There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You never quite know where they'll take you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beatrix-potter/there-is-something-delicious-about-writing-the-first-words-of-a-story/) [Beatrix Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beatrix-potter/) > [“A picture is worth a thousand words. A story is worth a thousand images”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-m-kin/a-picture-is-worth-a-thousand-words-a-story-is-worth-a-thousand-images/) [M.M. Kin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-m-kin/) > [“To live is to change, to acquire the words of a story, and that is the only celebration we mortals really know.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-kingsolver/to-live-is-to-change-to-acquire-the-words-of-a-story-and-that-is-the/) [Barbara Kingsolver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-kingsolver/) > [We read novels. We read hundreds of pages of words, when the story is good because we're willing to stay there. I hope the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veena-sud/we-read-novels-we-read-hundreds-of-pages-of-words-when-the-story-is/) [Veena Sud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veena-sud/) > [“There's something delicious about writing those first few words of a story. You can never quite tell where they will take you. Mine took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beatrix-potter/there-s-something-delicious-about-writing-those-first-few-words-of-a/) [Beatrix Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beatrix-potter/) > [To make films, it always begins with two words: what and how. First of all, you have to find a story, or what are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wong-kar-wai/to-make-films-it-always-begins-with-two-words-what-and-how-first-of/) [Wong Kar-wai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wong-kar-wai/) > [“It is easy to arrange the words in a story born out of a dream; for a story without a dream, a story itself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dejan-stojanovic/it-is-easy-to-arrange-the-words-in-a-story-born-out-of-a-dream-for-a/) [Dejan Stojanovic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dejan-stojanovic/) > [“A great book does not have to be a literary masterpiece with complicated sentences and words no one has heard of. 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Because the greatest part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-smith/it-is-infinitely-more-useful-for-a-child-to-hear-a-story-told-by-a/) [Frank Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-smith/) > [The juxtaposition of words - the color, feeling, and sound of the words together - has as much to do with the story as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-smith/the-juxtaposition-of-words-the-color-feeling-and-sound-of-the-words/) [Chad Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-smith/) > [It's only a story, you say. So it is, and the rest of life with it - creation story, love story, horror, crime, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanette-winterson/it-s-only-a-story-you-say-so-it-is-and-the-rest-of-life-with-it/) [Jeanette Winterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanette-winterson/) [Browse all 15 Words Story quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words-story-432444/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Tiffany took a deep breath. This was about words, and she knew about words. ‘Here is a story to believe,’ she said. ‘Once we were blobs in the sea, and then fishes, and then lizards and rats and then monkeys, and hundreds of things in between. This hand was once a fin, this hand once had claws! In my human mouth I have the pointy teeth of a wolf and the chisel teeth of a rabbit and the grinding teeth of a cow! Our blood is as salty as the sea we used to live in! 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