Summary Of The Neverending Story By Michael Ende

In The Neverending Story, the author, Michael Ende, reveals that one must be able to love oneself and accept one’s own flaws before being able to truly love anyone else. The story follows Bastian Balthazar Bux, a young boy who feels neglected by his father after his mother’s death, and who is often bullied at school due to his chubby appearance. After ending up in a book shop one rainy morning, Bastian steals “The Neverending Story” and quickly learns that the book is not fiction and is actually taking place in the magical realm of Fantastica. When the land’s empress falls ill, Bastian manages to save her and by doing so, he becomes part of the story and is transported from the human world to Fantastica. By gaining a wish-granting amulet, Bastian is able to control everything, including his appearance, in the book’s

However, towards the end of his adventure, Bastian learns that, “He no longer wanted to be the greatest, strongest, or cleverest. He had left all that far behind. He longed to be loved just as he was, good or bad, handsome or ugly, clever or stupid, with all his faults – or possibly because of them.” (Ende 392). Earlier in the story, Bastian transforms himself into a handsome, strong, powerful prince – someone he has always thought he wants to be - and begins to abuse his wishing power. He changes his ideals, morals, and allies and, in his effort to try and seize power by force, Bastian ends up stabbing his own friend. He realizes that he has become a monster and can no longer recognize himself. Instead of wanting to hold power over all the fantasy creatures in Fantastica, now Bastian simply wants to be accepted for who he truly is. He wants to turn back into the fat, little boy who first cracked open the storybook and be loved despite his faults, “or possibly because of them”. Once he discovers his true identity, Bastian wants to return back to the human world to live as his real