At Penelope’s wedding, her mother makes a small speech, although not very helpful to Penelope at the time. In the speech, her mother says: “Water does not resist. Water flows. When you plunge your hand into it, all you feel is a caress. Water is not a solid wall, it will not stop you. But water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing in the end can stand against it. Water is patient. Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember that, my child. Remember you are half water. If you can’t go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does.”(43) Penelope’s mother’s speech may not have been very significant for Penelope at the time, does foreshadow the events in the book. This speech gives the reader an idea of what will happen later