"If you have never wept bitter tears because a wonderful story has come to an end and you must take your leave of the characters with whom you have shared so many adventures, whom you have loved and admired, for whom you have hoped and feared, and without whose company life seems empty and meaningless -

If such things have not been part of your own experience, you probably won't understand what Bastian did next." Prologue, p. 7

"'Humph!' snorted the horse. 'And where are we going?'

'Wherever you like, Artax,' said Atreyu. 'From this moment on we shall be on the Great Quest."' Chapter 2, p. 40

" 'Everything will turn out all right. You'll see.'

'I can't imagine how,' said Atreyu.

'Neither can I,' said the luckdragon. 'But that's the wonderful part of it. From now on you'll succeed in everything you attempt...