In the midst of such industry, gawky Simon was the fabled grasshopper in the nest of ants. He knew he would never amount to much: many people had told him so, and nearly all of them were older-and presumably wiser-than he. At an age when other boys were clamoring for the responsibilities of manhood, Simon was still a muddler and a meanderer. No matter what task he was given to do, his attention soon wandered, and he would be dreaming of battles, and giants, and sea voyages on tall, shining ships ... and somehow, things would get broken, or lost, or done wrong.
In the midst of hard work and industriousness, Simon stood out like a grasshopper among diligent ants. He was aware of his limitations, having been repeatedly told by others, mostly older individuals, that he would not achieve much in life. While his peers aspired to embrace the responsibilities of adulthood, Simon remained indecisive and lost in thought.
His mind often drifted off to dreams of heroic adventures and fantastical journeys, leading to careless mistakes and unfinished tasks. No matter what he focused on, distractions would pull him away, resulting in broken items or errors. Simon’s character embodies the struggle between aspiration and reality, reflecting his sense of inadequacy in a world that demands productivity.
Rate the Quote
User Reviews
Other quotes in book quote
All the things you can talk about in anyone's work are the things that are least important.
Race of Cain, ascend to heaven, And cast God down upon the earth!
