How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
But now that I'm almost grown I see Momma wasn't talking about doors opening to let ghosts into your bedroom, she meant doors like the door at the Home closing leading to the door at the Amoses' opening and the door in the shed opening leading to me sleeping under a tree getting ready to open the next door. (5.53)
Bud has learned a great lesson here: he's learned to recognize opportunities when they are in front of him and not to fret too much when some opportunities disappear. It's another great piece of wisdom from Bud's mother. The helps Bud stay optimistic, and that's important, because without his optimistic outlook, he probably could never have made it to the Calloway's without this bit of advice.
Quote #5
It's funny how ideas are, in a lot of ways they're just like seeds. Both of them start real, real small and then woop, zoop, sloop…before you can say Jack Robinson they've gone and grown a lot bigger than you ever thought they could. (9.34)
In this part, Bud gets a good idea about how ideas grow. We really like his way of thinking about ideas as if they are seeds and trees. Just because you have an idea, and it grows, that doesn't make it reality, it just makes it a real idea. Think about that one.
Quote #6
The man said, "Where's home, Bud?" The another jolt of red pop must've pumped through my heart because my brain came up with a perfect lie. "I ran away from Grand Rapids, sir." See how perfect that lie was? Maybe this guy would feel sorry for me and put me on a bus to Grand Rapids and I wouldn't have to do any more doggone walking. (10.68-71)
Bud sees that one of his doors is slamming shut, but also that he's got an opportunity to open another one that may take him where he wants to go. Sure, he could be wrong, but Bud is smart enough to take the risk. He's got nothing to lose. Of course, it does pan out in the end, proving that Bud's mother's wisdom was right all along.