Wishing gets you nothing.
-- Vandalism in an old tree (Chapter 1 paragraph 1)

Importance: When the novel begins, Clara considers these words which have been carved into an old tree on the mountain where she lives. Wishes and dreams do not come true if people do not act on them to make them happen. This is in sharp contrast to the pond where people throw pebbles for payment to make wishes come true. Sometimes, wishes cannot come true.

She is changing. I am losing her. I wish I would not. But wishing gets you nothing.
-- Clara (Chapter 1 paragraph 22)

Importance: Some wishes may not come true. Clara must learn this the hard way with respect to Maren, who is turning into a mermaid. Each day brings new changes, as Maren transforms. Maren longs to live in the sea with her fellow mermaids, but Clara panics about this because she doesn’t want Maren to leave her.

Worry-bird, do you not trust me to do as...
-- O’Neill (Chapter 3 paragraph 4)