The Neverending Story

by Michael Ende

you’ve gone through the second. How often do I have to tell you that?’ ‘I understand. But what about this third gate?’ ‘That’s where things get really difficult! Because, you see, the No-Key Gate is closed. Simply closed. And that’s that! There’s no handle and no doorknob and no keyhole. Nothing. My theory is that this single, hermetically closed door is made of Fantastican selenium. You may know that there’s no way of destroying, bending, or dissolving Fantastican selenium. It’s absolutely indestructible.’ ‘Then there’s no way of getting through?’ ‘Not so fast. Not so fast, my boy. Certain individuals have got through and spoken with Uyulala. So the door can be opened.’ ‘But how?’ ‘Just listen. Fantastican selenium reacts to our will. It’s our will that makes it unyielding. But if someone succeeds in forgetting all purpose, in wanting nothing at all – to him the gate will open of its own accord.’ Atreyu looked down and said in an undertone: ‘If that’s the case – how can I possibly get through? How can I manage not to want to get through?’