I don't know your life history, but I think children need to believe in powers outside themselves. That's why they read books about witches and wizards and God knows what. There is a human need for that which childhood normally exhausts. But if a child's world is broken up by too much reality, that need goes underground.
The quote emphasizes the importance of imagination and belief in something greater than oneself during childhood. Children are naturally drawn to stories of magic and supernatural beings, as these narratives fulfill an innate desire for wonder and possibility. Such stories help children escape from the harshness of reality and allow them to explore their hopes and dreams.
However, if a child's environment is overwhelmed with harsh realities and practical concerns, this imaginative impulse may be stifled. When a child's life is filled with too much seriousness or negativity, their sense of wonder and the need for belief in something beyond themselves may be suppressed, forcing these emotions underground and potentially impacting their development.
