I have always been delighted when told there was a piece of

Hearken, O seekers of wisdom, to the words of Catherynne M. Valente, who spoke with the joy of the creator and the humility of the human heart: "I have always been delighted when told there was a piece of fanfic inspired by a book of mine floating about. I don't read it for legal reasons, but I'm thrilled to know it's there. Someone cared. Someone loved it enough to spend their free time writing about it for free." In these words lies a meditation on creation, connection, and the enduring power of shared imagination, revealing that the true measure of art is not only in its crafting but in the hearts it inspires.

Since the earliest days of storytelling, humans have sought to expand upon the worlds of others. In the oral traditions of ancient Greece, bards would recount the epics of Homer, embellishing, altering, and extending the tales as they traveled from village to village. Valente’s reflection evokes this same spirit: to encounter a fanfic, to see one’s work reborn in another’s imagination, is to witness the sacred fire of creation kindled anew. The work lives beyond its author, resonating in the souls of those who love it.

Consider the example of the Arthurian legends, which evolved over centuries through the hands of countless storytellers. Each retelling—whether by Malory, Chrétien de Troyes, or anonymous minstrels—was born from admiration and devotion, much like the fanfic Valente describes. The law of creation in her words is secondary to the law of love and engagement: the passion of the audience validates the original work, and the act of creation, freely offered, honors both the storyteller and the story itself.

Valente emphasizes the legal reasons that prevent her from reading these works, yet her joy is undiminished. The paradox she presents is profound: the power of art resides not in control but in inspiration. To know that someone has spent their free time extending the world she created is a triumph beyond law, a testament to human devotion and the communal nature of storytelling. Her delight reminds us that true art inspires generosity, curiosity, and connection, even when unobserved by the creator.

History offers countless reflections of this dynamic. The plays of Shakespeare, for instance, inspired countless adaptations, retellings, and reinterpretations even during his lifetime. He may not have read them all, but the fact that others engaged with his work, loved it, and expanded upon it, ensured its immortality. Valente’s words remind us that someone caring enough to create is the ultimate compliment, surpassing accolades, awards, or profit—it is the affirmation that art matters.

From this reflection emerges a timeless lesson: creation is an act of generosity, and the engagement of others is a sign of its resonance. Whether one writes, paints, or composes, the measure of success is not only in legal ownership or recognition, but in the joy and inspiration it sparks. Valente’s delight teaches that the gift of imagination is sacred, and the labor of love it incites in others is a treasure beyond measure.

O seekers of wisdom, let this teaching guide your own life. Encourage and celebrate the acts of devotion that others perform in engagement with your work, and, in turn, participate in the creation and extension of stories, ideas, and beauty freely offered. Recognize that love, attention, and free time invested by others are sacred tokens of value, affirming the power of human imagination to transcend boundaries and legalities alike.

Take this teaching into your daily actions: honor creativity, support those who love and expand upon the worlds of others, and recognize that the true essence of art lies in connection, not ownership. By doing so, you participate in the ancient and enduring ritual of storytelling, ensuring that every tale, every dream, and every spark of imagination carries forward into eternity, touched by the hearts of many and cherished beyond measure.