“I wish it need not have happened in my time said Frodo So do I said Gandalf and so do all who live to see such times But that is not for them to decide All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us”
— J.R.R. Tolkien
Simplified Meaning:
Sometimes, things happen in life that we can't control or change, and they can be tough to deal with. Imagine if there's a big storm that destroys many houses in your town. You might wish the storm never happened, just like Frodo wishes bad events didn't happen during his life. Gandalf understands this feeling and says that everyone feels the same way when they face difficult times. However, he points out that we don't get to choose when such events happen. What we can control is our response to these events and how we use the time and resources we have. For example, after the storm, instead of dwelling on the disaster, people can come together to rebuild homes, support each other, and strengthen their community. This quote teaches us to focus on what we can do right now to make the best out of any situation, rather than wishing things were different.