Lloyd Alexander

"This is a place of peace," Medwyn said, "and therefore not suitable for men, at least, not yet."

Most of us are called on to perform tasks far beyond what we believe we can do. Our capabilities seldom match our aspirations, and we are often woefully unprepared. To this extent, we are all Assistant Pig-Keepers at heart.

It is not the trappings that make the prince, nor, indeed, the sword that makes the warrior.

Well, that is one of the three foundations of learning: see much, study much, suffer much.