The quote reflects the profound suffering experienced by children, which is often underestimated or overlooked due to their limited understanding of their circumstances. Children endure significant hardships, but they tend to downplay their struggles, viewing them through the lens of adult experiences. This perspective leads them to believe that true tragedy is a grand event reserved for the lives of adults rather than acknowledging the depths of their own suffering.

The author, Shirley Hazzard, highlights the stark contrast between the internal realities of children's lives and how these realities are masked by their innocence. While they may not fully grasp the horrors they face, their experiences are significant and inescapable. This disconnect underscores a deeper commentary on how society often fails to recognize and validate the experiences of the young, leaving their true pains hidden from view.