18 quotes
A Call to Moonchild
Bastian
MOONCHILD!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Perseverance Leads to Hope and Discovery
Falkor
Never give up, and ] ] will find you.
[[good; [luck]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Southern Oracle Awaits Atreyu's Arrival
Southern Oracle
Do not be afraid. We will not harm you. We have been waiting for you a long time, Atreyu.
Atreyu
Are you the Southern Oracle?
Southern Oracle
Yes, we are.
Atreyu
Then you must know what can save Fantasia!
Southern Oracle
Yes, we do.
Atreyu
Well, what is it? I have to know!
Southern Oracle
The Empress needs a new name.
Atreyu
A new name? That's all? But that's easy! I can give her any name she wants!
Southern Oracle
No one from Fantasia can do it. Only a human child can give her this new name.
Atreyu
A human child? Where can I find one?
Southern Oracle
You can only find one beyond the boundaries of Fantasia. If you want to save our world, you must hurry! We don't know how much longer we can withstand the Nothing.
[begins to crumble]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Loss of Exquisite Gourmet Rocks
Rockbiter
Where I come from, in the North, we used to have exquisite gourmet rocks. Only now... now, they're all gone.
Nighthob
I know how it happened.
[chuckles]
Rockbiter
Oh, I-I swear it wasn't me!
Nighthob
Oh, heck, no!
Teeny Weeny
I think I know what it was. Tell us more.
Rockbiter
Near my home, there used to be a beautiful lake. But then... then it... it was gone.
Teeny Weeny
Did the lake dry up?
Rockbiter
No. It just wasn't there anymore. Nothing was there anymore. Not even a dried-up lake.
Teeny Weeny
A hole?
Rockbiter
A hole would be something. No, it was... nothing. And it got bigger and bigger. First there was no lake anymore, and then, finally... no rocks.
[starts chewing a rock, and the pieces nearly fall onto the Nighthob]
Nighthob
If he keeps stuffing his face like that, soon there won't be any rocks here either!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Embracing Darkness in New Beginnings
Bastian
Why is it so dark?
The Childlike Empress
In the beginning, it is always dark.
Bastian
What is that?
The Childlike Empress
One grain of sand. It is all that remains of my vast empire.
Bastian
Fantasia has totally disappeared?
The Childlike Empress
Yes.
Bastian
Then... everything's been in vain.
The Childlike Empress
No, it hasn't. Fantasia can rise anew. From your dreams and wishes, Bastian.
Bastian
How?
The Childlike Empress
Open your hand. What are you going to wish for?
[places the grain in the palm of his hand]
Bastian
I don't know...
The Childlike Empress
Then there will be no Fantasia anymore.
Bastian
How many wishes do I get?
The Childlike Empress
As many as you want. And the more wishes you make, the more magnificent Fantasia will become.
Bastian
Really?
The Childlike Empress
Try it.
Bastian
Then my first wish is...
[starting to smile]
Bastian
YEAH! Falkor, it's even more beautiful than I thought!
Falkor
Like it?
Bastian
Falkor, it's wonderful! Falkor, it's like the Nothing never was!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Confrontation in the Library
Mr. Koreander
Are you still here? Didn't you hear what I said, boy?
Bastian
Um, I was...
Mr. Koreander
You're hiding, aren't you?
Bastian
No, I was...
Mr. Koreander
The video arcade is down the street. Here we just sell small rectangular objects. They're called ]. They require a little effort on your part, and make no "bee-beep-beeps". On your way, please.
[[books]
Bastian
I know books! I have 186 of them at home.
Mr. Koreander
Aah, comic books.
Bastian
No, I've read ], ], ], ], ], ]...
[[Treasure Island|''Treasure Island''; [James Fenimore Cooper#The Last of the Mohicans (1826)|''Last of the Mohicans''; [L. Frank Baum#The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900)|''The Wizard of Oz''; [The Lord of the Rings|''Lord of the Rings''; [Jules Verne#Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (1870)|''20,000 Leagues Under the Sea''; [Edgar Rice Burroughs#Tarzan of the Apes (1912)|''Tarzan'']
Mr. Koreander
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa... who are you running away from?
Bastian
Just some kids from school.
Mr. Koreander
Why?
Bastian
They wanna throw me in the garbage.
Mr. Koreander
Well, why don't you give em a good punch in the nose, hmm?
Bastian
Well, I don't know... What's that book about?
[notices the book that Mr. Koreander was reading]
Mr. Koreander
Oh, this is something special.
Bastian
Well, what is it?
Mr. Koreander
Look, your books are safe. While you're reading them, you get to become Tarzan, or Robinson Crusoe.
Bastian
But that's what I like about em.
Mr. Koreander
Ah, but afterwards you get to be a little boy again.
Bastian
What do you mean?
Mr. Koreander
Listen. Have you ever been Captain Nemo, trapped inside your submarine, while the giant squid is attacking you?
Bastian
...Yes.
Mr. Koreander
Weren't you afraid you couldn't escape?
Bastian
But it's only a story.
Mr. Koreander
That's what I'm talking about. The ones you read are safe.
Bastian
And that one isn't?
Mr. Koreander
Don't worry about it.
Bastian
But you just said it was...
Mr. Koreander
Forget about it. This book is not for you.
[closes the book]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Repetition of Frustration in Bastian's Journey
Bastian
No, not again. No, not again!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Misunderstanding of Identity and Purpose
Cairon
I'm sorry, but this is not the time nor place for children. I must ask you to leave.
Atreyu
If you don't want me here, you shouldn't have sent for me.
Cairon
It was not you we sent for. We wanted Atreyu.
Atreyu
I am Atreyu.
Cairon
Not Atreyu the Child! Atreyu the Warrior.
[laughs]
Atreyu
I am the only Atreyu of the Plains People. But I'll be happy to go back hunting the purple buffalo.
[turns to leave]
Cairon
No, wait! Come back, please. If you really are the Atreyu we sent for, you would be willing to go on a quest?
Atreyu
Yes, of course. What kind of a quest?
Cairon
To find a cure for the Empress, and to save our world. No one can give you any advice except this: You must go alone. You must leave all your weapons behind. It will be very dangerous.
Atreyu
Is there any chance of success?
Cairon
I do not know. But if you fail, the Empress will surely die, and our whole world will be utterly destroyed.
Atreyu
When do I begin?
[takes off his bow and quiver of arrows and lays them on the ground]
Cairon
Now. And you must hurry, Atreyu. The Nothing grows stronger every day. Take this. He who wears the Auryn speaks for the Empress. It will guide and protect you.
[places the Auryn necklace around Atreyu's neck]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Challenge of Self-Worth
Atreyu
Is that the Southern Oracle?
Engwwook
Oh, no. It's the first of the two gates you must pass through, before you reach the Southern Oracle, and get me the final information for my book. Of course, most people never get that far.
Atreyu
Why?
Engywook
The sphinxes eyes stay closed, until someone who does not feel his own worth tries to pass by.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Celebration of Atreyu's Success Through the Sphinx Gate
Engywook
He made it! Atreyu! He made it through the Sphinx Gate! I always said he could do it!
Urgl
Oh, good! But that's no reason for you to fall out of the basket again!
Engywook
Ooh!
Falkor
I knew he would be safe.
Engywook
Nonsense! You don't understand anything! The worst one is coming up. Next is the Magic Mirror Gate. Atreyu has to look his true self!
Falkor
So what? That won't be too hard for him.
Engywook
Oh, that's what everyone thinks! But kind people find that they are cruel. Brave men discover that they are really cowards! Confronted with their true selves, most men run away, screaming!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Hesitant Departure Between Friends
Falkor
Leaving so soon? Hmm?
Atreyu
Uh, I was just going to – I-I-I have to... I was trying to–
Falkor
Sneak away?
Atreyu
Yeah... I mean no, no!
[Falkor chuckles]
Falkor
I like children.
Atreyu
For breakfast?
Falkor
Never! I'm a luckdragon. My name is Falkor.
[laughs]
Atreyu
And my name is–
Falkor
Atreyu. And you're on a quest.
Atreyu
How'd you know that?
Falkor
You were unconscious, and you talked in your sleep.
[winks]
Atreyu
Wha–?
Falkor
Could you... get round and scratch behind my right ear? I can never quite reach it!
[wiggles his right ear, and strains to reach it with his short leg; Atreyu giggles]
Atreyu
Here?
[approaches him and starts scratching]
Falkor
Oh... yeah! That's so good. Thank you. So, little fella – you're on your way to the Southern Oracle?
[chuckles]
Atreyu
Yes. But it's hopeless. It's too far away!
Falkor
Oh, I wouldn't necessarily say that.
Atreyu
You... you know how to get there?
Falkor
Why, sure. It's right around the corner.
Atreyu
How'd all this happen?!
Falkor
With luck!
[chuckles; winks again]
Atreyu
You've already brought me the entire 10,000 miles?
Falkor
No, only 9,891... as the dragon flies.
Atreyu
You're amazing!
Falkor
Having a luckdragon with you is the only way to go on a quest. Things will work out fine, Atreyu. Never give up, and good luck will find you.
[chuckles]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
The Weight of Loss and Responsibility
Rockbiter
They look like big, good, strong hands, don't they? I always thought that's what they were. Oh, my little friends... the little man with his racing snail, the Nighthob, even the stupid bat. I couldn't hold onto them. The Nothing pulled them right out of my hands. I failed.
[holding up his hands]
Atreyu
No, you didn't fail. I'm the one who failed. I was the one chosen to stop the Nothing. But I lost the Auryn, I can't find my luckdragon, so I won't be able to get beyond the boundaries of Fantasia!
Rockbiter
Listen. The Nothing will be here any minute. I will just sit here, and let it take me away too. They look like good, strong hands, don't they?
[holds up his hands again]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Confrontation between G'mork and Atreyu
G'mork
If you come any closer, I will rip you to shreds.
Atreyu
Who are you?
G'mork
I am G'mork. And you, whoever you are, can have the honor of being my last victim.
Atreyu
I will not die easily. I am a warrior.
G'mork
Ha! Brave warrior. Then fight the Nothing.
Atreyu
But I can't! I can't get beyond the boundaries of Fantasia! What's so funny about that?
[G'mork laughs mockingly]
G'mork
Fantasia has no boundaries.
Atreyu
That's not true. You're lying!
G'mork
Foolish boy. Don't you know anything about Fantasia? It's the world of human fantasy. Every part, every creature of it, is a piece of the dreams and hopes of mankind. Therefore, it has no boundaries.
Atreyu
But why is Fantasia dying, then?
G'mork
Because people have begun to lose their hopes and forget their dreams. So the Nothing grows stronger.
Atreyu
What is the Nothing?
G'mork
It's the emptiness that's left. It is like a despair, destroying this world. And I have been trying to help it.
Atreyu
But why?!
G'mork
Because people who have no hopes are easy to control. And whoever has the control has the Power.
Atreyu
Who are you really?
[briefly loses his balance, but regains it and turns towards G'mork with a cold look]
G'mork
I am the servant of the Power behind the Nothing. I was sent to kill the only one who could have stopped the Nothing. I lost him in the Swamps of Sadness. His name was Atreyu.
[last words]
Atreyu
If we're about to die anyway, I'd rather die fighting! Come for me, G'mork! I AM ATREYU!
[falls, but grabs a sharp piece of stone and stands up]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Conflict Between Science and Magic
Engywook
Get out of my light, wench!! You're disturbing my scientific work!!!
Urgl
You and your SCIENTIFIC WORK!!!! What the boy needs now... is one of my potions!!
Engywook
The boy will need my scientific advice much more! ...
Atreyu
Ahem...
Engywook
Ahhhhhh!!! He's well!!! Now it's my turn with him!
Urgl
Oh no, you don't! ... It's your turn when I say it's your turn. Well, little man... still in pain??
Atreyu
A little... but it's all right.
Urgl
I like that!!! The patient telling the doctor it's all right?? It has to hurt if it's to heal! Here. Drink that... that's my batwing broth!! There's eye of newt in there, tree mold... old lizard brains... scales from a rancid sea serpent!
[hands Atreyu cup]
Engywook
Just where did you and your dragon come from? What are you on to? Anything of interest in the, uh, scientific community?
Atreyu
My name's Atreyu. I came here to find the Southern Oracle.
Engywook
Oh!
Urgl
Here we go again!
Engywook
You've come to the right place, my boy! I am somewhat of an expert on the Southern Oracle.
Urgl
It is my scientific specialty.
Engywook
It's my scientific specialty!
Urgl
Why don't you sit down and be quiet for once?!
Engywook
You keep quiet, wench!
Urgl
Ooh!!
Engywook
It's now my turn. My name is Engywook. She's Urgl. Ever heard of me?
[to Atreyu]
Atreyu
I don't think so.
Engywook
You don't move in scientific circles. I am the expert on the Southern Oracle. Oh, you've come to the right place, my boy!
[Atreyu shakes his head]
Urgl
There's no fool like an old fool.
Engywook
Wait! Stay here! The observatory. To the winch, wench!
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Confronting Loss and Responsibilities in Family
Bastian
I had another dream, Dad. About Mom.
Bastian's Father
I understand, son. But we have to get on with things, right? Bastian, we each have responsibilities. We can't let Mom's death be an excuse for not getting the old job done, right?
[Bastian doesn't reply]
Bastian
Yeah.
Bastian's Father
Son, I think it's time you and I had a little talk. I got a call from your math teacher yesterday. She says that you were drawing horses in your math book.
Bastian
Unicorns. They were unicorns.
[crossing his fingers]
Bastian's Father
What?
Bastian
Nothing.
Bastian's Father
She also says that you haven't been turning in your homework on time. And I'm very disappointed that you didn't even try out for the swimming team. As to those riding lessons you wanted, you say you love horses, and yet you seem to be afraid to get on a real one. Now Bastian, you're old enough to get your head down out of the clouds and start keeping both feet on the ground, right?
Bastian
Okay.
Bastian's Father
Stop daydreaming. Start facing your problems. Okay?
[smiles]
Bastian
Okay.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Encounter with the Ancient One
Atreyu
Are you Morla, the Ancient One?
Morla
Not that it matters, but yes.
[yawns]
Atreyu
Please help me, Morla! Do you recognize this?
[holds out the Auryn]
Morla
Well... we haven't seen the Auryn in a long time.
Atreyu
We? Is there someone else here, too?
[looks around him]
Morla
We haven't spoken to anyone else for thousands of years, so we started talking to ourselves.
[lets out an enormous sneeze, knocking Atreyu out of the tree]
Atreyu
Morla! I bring terrible news! Did you know that the Empress is very ill?
[climbing back up]
Morla
Not that it matters, but yes. Actually, we don't care.
Atreyu
If I don't save her, she'll die! There's a terrible Nothing sweeping over the land! Don't you care about that?
Morla
We don't even care... whether or not we care.
[stifles a sneeze, Atreyu braces himself]
Atreyu
Do you have a cold?
Morla
No. We're allergic... to youth!
[sneezes again]
Atreyu
You know how I can help the Empress, don't you?
Morla
Not that it matters, but... yes.
Atreyu
If you don't tell me and the Nothing keeps coming, you'll die too! Both of you!
Morla
Die? That, at least, would be something.
[starts to sneeze, Atreyu braces himself again]
Atreyu
Please help me. You said you knew the answer–
Morla
We're tired of sneezing. Go away! Nothing matters.
[sneezes again, knocking Atreyu out of the tree]
Atreyu
That's not true! If it didn't really matter to you, you could tell me.
[climbing back up again]
Morla
Ah ha ha! Clever boy.
[laughs]
Atreyu
TELL ME, PLEASE!
Morla
We don't know, but you can ask the Southern Oracle.
Atreyu
How can I get there?
Morla
You can't. It's 10,000 miles away.
Atreyu
But that's so far.
Morla
That's right. Forget it. Give up.
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
Understanding Failure and Support in Friendship
The Childlike Empress
Atreyu, why do you look so sad?
Atreyu
I have failed you, Empress.
The Childlike Empress
No, you haven't. You brought him with you.
Atreyu
Who?
The Childlike Empress
The earthling child. The one who can save us all.
Atreyu
You knew about the earthling child?
The Childlike Empress
Of course. I knew everything.
Atreyu
My horse died! I nearly drowned. I just barely got away from the Nothing! For what?! To find out what you already knew?!
The Childlike Empress
It was the only way to get in touch with an earthling.
Atreyu
But I didn't get in touch with an earthling!
The Childlike Empress
Yes, you did. He has suffered with you. He went through everything you went through, and now he has come here, with you. He is very close, listening to every word we say.
Bastian
What?!
[confused]
Atreyu
Where is he?! If he's so close, why doesn't he arrive?!
The Childlike Empress
He doesn't realize he's already a part of The NeverEnding Story.
Atreyu
The NeverEnding Story"?! What's that?!
The Childlike Empress
Just as he is sharing all your adventures, others are sharing his. They were with him when he hid from the boys in the bookstore.
Bastian
But that's impossible!
[cannot believe it]
The Childlike Empress
They were with him when he took the book with the Auryn symbol on the cover, in which he's reading his own story, right now.
Bastian
I can't believe it! They can't be talking about me.
[runs off and catches himself; goes back to the book]
Atreyu
What will happen when he doesn't appear?!
The Childlike Empress
Then our world will disappear, and so will I.
[in a grave tone]
Atreyu
How could he let that happen?!
The Childlike Empress
He doesn't understand that he's the one who has the power to stop it. He simply can't imagine that one little boy could be that important.
Bastian
Is it really me? How could I make any difference?
Atreyu
MAYBE HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT HE HAS TO DO!!
Bastian
WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?!
The Childlike Empress
He has to give me a new name.
Atreyu
WHAT IF HE DOESN'T COME UP WITH THE RIGHT NAME?!
The Childlike Empress
He's already chosen it. He just has to call it out.
Atreyu
WHERE IS HE?!?!?!? WHY ISN'T HE HERE?!?!?!
[now desperate and hysterical]
The Childlike Empress
He still does not have the confidence.
Bastian
But it's only a story, it's not real, it's only a story! ATREYU, NOOOO!!!
[the Nothing continues to consume the tower and another quake from the Nothing kills Atreyu]
The Childlike Empress
ATREYU!
[seeing Atreyu's death]
The Childlike Empress
Don't you have the courage to save us, Bastian?
[to Bastian]
Bastian
I WISH I COULD!!
[now scared and terrified]
The Childlike Empress
Why don't you do what you dream, Bastian?
Bastian
BUT I CAN'T! I HAVE TO KEEP MY FEET ON THE GROUND!!
[on the verge of tears]
The Childlike Empress
Call my name! Please, call my name! BASTIAN, PLEASE!!! SAVE US!!!
[as the Ivory Tower is seconds away from being consumed by the nothing]
Bastian
ALL RIGHT! I'LL DO IT! I'LL SAVE YOU!! I WILL DO WHAT I DREAM!!! MOONCHILD!!!!!!
[finally giving in; climbs up to the window and yells at the storm]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.
A Journey of Wishes and Adventures
Narrator
Bastian made many other wishes, and had many other amazing adventures – before he finally returned to the ordinary world. But that's... another story.
[last lines]
Quotes sourced from Wikiquote (© Wikiquote contributors), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Modified for formatting/length.