I saw it first on BBC News then found the petition myself. Fans set up a petition on Change.org for Death to bring back Terry Pratchett. The reason?
Because Terry Pratchett said this:
“There are times in life when people must know when not to let go. Balloons are designed to teach small children this.”
As a long-time fan, I got all choked up. And the comments! The comments are adorable!
tim Lidbetter said, “Death – are you sure you’re ready to meet your maker?”
Jayne McCulloch said, “Its a million to one chance, but it might just work …..”
It’s a running joke in the Discworld books that million to one chances always work.
Christopher Daniels said, “Look, I know he’s just doing his job and all but at least he could check the hourglass just to be sure? I know, I know, THEY ALL SAY THAT, but it’s worth a shot”.
Ole Ulloriaq Lønberg-Jensen said, “I’m thinking we get some kittens, and then propose Death a trade.”
Because Death loves kittens. He’s quite protective of kittens. If you don’t want to get on Death’s bad side, you will NEVER be cruel to kittens.
Alex Vakiris said “ook”.
Because the Discworld Librarian is an orangutang who is very expressive with his ‘ook’.
Laura Shortridge said, “Because Sir Terry taught me that while the dead don’t need these gestures and rituals, we, the living, sometimes do.”
Diana Gonzalez said, “They can tak’ oour troousers, but they cannae tak’ oour Terry Pratchett!”
For an explanation of this, you need to read Wee Free Men and all their stories.
Huw Bass (formerly GuiHui) said, “Some computer has messed up somewhere… ++?????++ Out of Cheese Error. Redo From Start.”
For an explanation of this, read the Ponder Stibbons books… my personal favourite appearance of Hex (the Discworld computer) is in Hogfather.
james azrael said, “As the pen crossed the path of the paper, a POOF was witnessed by no one in particular, but the Small God who became known as Terry Pratchett was brought into existence and eventually followed by thousands and thousands….he will never fade away.”
One of my favourite Discworld novels is Small Gods where we see institutionalised religion killing actual worship of actual gods. And actual worship of something can turn that something into a god.
warren sealey said, “He would approve… Now how do we get this petition to the auditors?”
Michael Law said, “Because it would really, really piss the Auditors off…”
The Auditors audit the universe. And they don’t like creativity, imagination or anthropomorphic personifications of ANYTHING. They try to kill the Hogfather, aka THE FAT MAN, which is like trying to kill Santa Claus. It’s not the only time they pop their grey cloaks into the Discworld but the Hogfather is one of my favourites.
So many wonderful quotes giving me ALL THE FEELS but GAIL MOLLOY has the last word:
My son said,”I just imagine that Terry met Death and
Death turned to Terry and said, ‘I’m a really big fan of your work.'”
