A Wizard of Earthsea (Earthsea Cycle, #1)

by Ursula K. Le Guin

He looked down at the pebble again. “A rock is a good thing, too, you know,” he said, speaking less gravely. “If the Isles of Earthsea were all made of diamond, we’d lead a hard life here. Enjoy illusions, lad, and let the rocks be rocks.”