“Today I watched and heard a wren, a sparrow, and the mocking-bird singing. My brain started to trill why why why, what is the meaning meaning meaning? It’s not that they know something we don’t; we know much more than they do, and surely they don’t even know why they sing. No; we have been as usual asking the wrong question. It does not matter a hoot what the mockingbird on the chimney is singing…The real and proper question is: Why is it beautiful?”
–Annie Dillard
“Dad, you’ve got something in your ear. I’m going to get it out with the thermometer. This is going to hurt.”
-Madeline
