How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #10
"If you could change one thread, you'd change everything," said Tahl.
"Right," said the Ropemaker. "Went back last night, for instance, two, three minutes only, fiddled with a thread, let me pull you three clear of the fire, that's all. But more than I could chew, almost. Out beyond where I could see, felt the whole rope bucking and heaving around, all of time to come weaving itself fresh. Had to hang on, all my strength, to what I'd got fixed this side, stop it being messed up by stuff happening beyond, till it went and calmed down. Only just made it. Rocked me, that did, badly. Lucky to get back out." (18.56-57)
The Ropemaker discusses the metaphor of time as a great rope. When he altered the course of events—past, present, and future—he tugged on just one little thread. That small action took all the strength he had because altering one miniscule event changes everything that will happen in the future. He took a great risk by saving Meena, Alnor, and Tahl, and meddling in time—which just may be the greatest magic of all.