Quote by Terry Pratchett
Contrary to popular belief and hope, people don't usually come running when they hear a scream. That's not how humans work. Humans look at other humans and say, 'Did you hear a scream?' because the first scream might have been you screaming inside your head, or a horse backfiring.
Summary
This quote highlights the reality of human behavior when faced with a scream, questioning the popular belief that people instinctively come to the aid of someone in distress. It suggests that humans, instead of directly responding, tend to assess the situation and seek verification from others before taking action. The quote humorously illustrates how various factors, such as internalized fear or unexpected noises, can create ambiguity and hesitation in human responses to screams.