“Between the beach and the big breaking waves about a quarter mile off was a stretch of bumpy, glistening reef, its usual blanket of water pulled back by a celestial hand.”

“Metaphors have a way of holding the most truth in the least space.”

“Just because something is a metaphor doesn't mean it can't be real.”

“You should never wish for wishful thinking.”

“What you desire is what you want, what you have is what Allah wants.”

“Most people say if you tell a wish it won't come true. But I don't think wishes work like that. I don't believe there's some bad-tempered wish-fairy with a clipboard, checking off whether or not yo...”