The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents (Discworld, #28)

by Terry Pratchett

“Of course not. They’ll tell my father I’ve been telling stories, and I’ll get locked out of my room again.” “You get locked out of your room as a punishment?” said Maurice. “Yes. It means I can’t get at my books.

she thinks life works like a fairy tale.” “Well, that’s harmless, isn’t it?” asked Keith. “Yeah, but in fairy tales, when someone dies . . . it’s just a word.”