Michael Cunningham, A Wild Swan: And Other Tales Quotes
The implication of this particular tale is: Trust strangers. Believe in magic.
One of the reasons ordinary people are incapable of magic is simple dearth of conviction.
End of story. ‘Happily ever after’ fell on everyone like a guillotine’s blade.
It's the solitude that slays you. Maybe because you'd expected ruin to arrive in a grander and more romantic form.