Nothing you love is lost. Not really. Things, people — they always go away, sooner or later. You can’t hold them, any more than you can hold moonligh… - Bruce Coville

But, really, why does anyone create? You feel a...restlessness inside, a need to make something new, something no one has ever seen before. You want to add to the beauty and the richness of the world with a gift, an offering that is uniquely yours. It's an act of selfishness and generosity, all rolled into one.

"In the reference room I got the second, but not the last, major shock of my day. I mean, who would have thought it? Librarians are supposed to be little old ladies. OK, I'll admit a lot of them aren't little and a lot more aren't old. But how many of them are guys who look good enough to be models?
The Hunk stood up as we crossed to his desk. "Can I help you young ladies?" he asked.
"Yes," said Chris briskly. "We'd like to look — "
"At your eyes," I finished, without realizing I was speaking out loud.
Chris jabbed me in the ribs with her elbow."

Always before, people ready to enter space have been civilized in a way you humans have avoided altogether. We fear if the people of Earth are allowed into space in their uncivilized state, the results could be disastrous beyond anything you imagine. At the moment, we are considering a permanent quarantine on Earth. We don't mind you exploring your own solar system; there's not much there anyway. But we cannot allow you to carry this sickness, whatever it is, into the galaxy at large.