The Neverending Story

by Michael Ende

‘What about F...

‘How’s he getting along?’ ‘Falkor? Who’s that?’ ‘The white luckdragon.’ ‘Oh. I don’t know yet. Took a little more punishment than you. But then he’s bigger and stronger, so he ought to make it. Why not...

that poison? And where have you come from all of a sudden? And where are you going? And who a...

‘Don’t let her tone bother you, Atreyu. Old Urgl is a little crude, but she means no harm. My name is Engywook. We are the well-known Gnomics. Ever hear of us?’ ‘No,’

‘Oh well,’

‘Apparently you don’t move in scientific circles, or someone would undoubtedly have told you that you couldn’t find a better adviser than yours truly if you’re looking for Uyulala in the Southern Oracle. You’ve come to the right address, my boy.’ ‘Don’t give yourself airs,’

‘I can explain everything,’

‘I’ve studied the question all my life. Inside and out. I set up my observatory just for that. I’m in the last stage of a great scientific work on the Oracle. “The Riddle of Uyulala, solved by Professor Engywook.”

That’s the title. Sounds all right, doesn’t it? To be pub...

near future. Unfortunately a few details are still lacking. You can help me, my...

‘Bright moonlight tonight,’ said Engywook. ‘You’ll see them all right.’ ‘See who?’

‘Uyulala?’

‘Don’t bother!’

‘You won’t solve it. It’s the same with everyone. I’ve observed it all my life and I haven’t found the answer. Now for the other one.’

‘Are they statues?’

‘Oh no!’

‘They are real live sphinxes – very much alive! You’ve seen enough for now. Come, we’ll go dow...

‘Sit down!’

‘Atreyu must eat and drink something to give him strength. Medicine alone is not enough.’

‘Thank...

‘I’m feeling fine ...

‘No back ...

‘As long as you’re here, you’ll do as you’re told. The poison in your body has been neutralized. So there’s no reason to hurry, my boy. You’ve all the time you need....

‘But the Childlike Empress is dying. Even now, every hour may...

‘Haste makes waste. Sit down! Eat! Drink!’ ‘B...

‘I know the woman from A to Z. When she wants something, she gets it. Besides, you and I ...

Bastian’s mouth watered. It seemed to him that he could smell the aroma of the gnomes’ meal. He sniffed the air, but of course it was only imagination. His stomach growled audibly. In the end he couldn’t stand it any longer. He took his apple and the rest of his sandwich out of his satchel and ate them both. After that, though far from full, he felt a little better. Then he realized that this was his last meal. The word ‘last’ terrified him. He tried not to think of it.

‘Where do you get all these good things?’

‘Ah, sonny,’

‘It takes lots of running around to find the right plants. But he – this knuckleheaded Engywook of mine – insists on living here because of his all-important studies. Where the f...

‘Wo...

‘how would you know what’s important and what isn’t? Be off with you ...

‘Don’t mind her,’

‘She’s a good old soul, she just needs something to grumble about now and then. Listen to me, Atreyu. I’m going to let you in on a few things you need to know about the Southern Oracle. It’s not easy to get to Uyulala. In fact, it’s rather difficult. But I don’t want to give you a scientific lecture. Maybe it will be better if you ask questions. I tend to lose myself in details. Just fire away.’

‘All r...

‘Who or what is U...

‘Bothera...

‘You’re so blunt, so direct. Just like my old woman. Couldn’t you start...

‘That big stone gate with the sphinxes. Is tha...

‘That’s b...

‘Now we’ll get somewhere. Yes, that gate is the entrance, but then come two more gates. And Uyulala’s home is behind the third – if one can speak of her having a home.’ ‘Have you...

‘I am a scientist. I have collected and collated the statements of all the individuals who have been there. The ones who have come back, that is. Very important work. I can’t afford to take perso...

‘Now what about these thr...

‘The first,’

‘is known as the Great Riddle Gate; the second is the Magic Mirror Gate; and the third is the No-Key Gate …’

‘Stra...

‘As far as I could see, there was nothing behind that stone gate but an empty plain. Where are t...

‘How can I make myself clear if you keep interrupting? It’s very compli...

isn’t there until a person has gone through the first. And the third isn’t there until the person has the second behind him. And Uyulala isn’t there until he has passed through ...

‘Through my telescope you have seen the first, the Great Riddle Gate. And the two sphinxes. That gate is always open. Obviously. There’s nothing to close. But even so, no one can get through’ – here Engywook raised a tiny forefinger – ‘unless the sphinxes close their eyes. And do you know why? The gaze of a sphinx is different from the gaze of any other creature. You and I and everyone else – our eyes take something in. We see the world. A sphinx sees nothing. In a sense she is blind. But her eyes send something out. And what do her eyes send out? All the riddles of the universe. That’s why these sphinxes are always looking at each other. Because only another sphinx can stand a sphinx’s gaze. So try to imagine what happens to one who ventures into the area where those two gazes meet. He freezes to the spot, unable to move until he has solved all the riddles of the world. If you go there, you’ll find the remains of those poor devils.’