The quote from Susan Cooper's "Silver on the Tree" highlights the relationship between different temporal phases—past, present, and future. It suggests that each timeframe carries its own consequences and challenges, emphasizing that we cannot shift blame from one to the other. The future, shaped by our current actions, must confront its own realities without holding the present accountable for its circumstances.

This perspective encourages accountability in the present moment while recognizing that decisions made now will dictate the outcomes later. It serves as a reminder that we must take responsibility for our actions today, as they lay the groundwork for what is to come, and that we should view past events as lessons rather than excuses.