--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: was awakened abruptly just after dawn by…" description: "\"“was awakened abruptly just after dawn by a tiny stinging sensation on top of my head. I blinked and put up a hand to investigate. The movement startle..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ee/diana-gabaldon-185_quote_was-awakened-abruptly-just-after-dawn-by_578484.jpg" --- # was awakened abruptly just after dawn by a tiny stinging… ![“was awakened abruptly just after dawn by a tiny stinging sensation on top of my head. I blinked and put up a hand to investigate. The movement startled a large gray jay who had been pulling hairs out of my head, and he shot up into a nearby pine tree, screeching hysterically. “Serve you right…” quote by Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ee/diana-gabaldon-185_quote_was-awakened-abruptly-just-after-dawn-by_578484.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ee/diana-gabaldon-185_quote_was-awakened-abruptly-just-after-dawn-by_578484.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1ee/diana-gabaldon-185_quote_was-awakened-abruptly-just-after-dawn-by_578484.jpg) > ““was awakened abruptly just after dawn by a tiny stinging sensation on top of my head. I blinked and put up a hand to investigate. The movement startled a large gray jay who had been pulling hairs out of my head, and he shot up into a nearby pine tree, screeching hysterically. “Serve you right, mate,” I muttered, rubbing the top of my head, but couldn’t help smiling. I had been told often enough that my hair looked like a bird’s nest first thing in the morning; perhaps there was something to it, after all.”” [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A sudden morning irritation leads to a humorous reflection on a messy hair appearance, likening it to a bird’s nest. **In simple terms:** Morning itch caused a funny thought about messy hair. Key Takeaway Find humor in unexpected moments. Themes humor self‑reflection observation Mood lighthearted playful Type anecdotal narrative When to use this quote - daily routines - personal anecdotes - creative writing Key Concepts every‑life absurdities mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - What daily irritations spark your creativity? - How can humor shift perspective? A Different Perspective Humor may mask underlying discomfort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Awakened Abruptly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/awakened-abruptly-4760246/) [Head Blinked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/head-blinked-4760244/) [Mate Muttered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mate-muttered-4760245/) [Startled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/startled/) [Startled Large](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/startled-large-4760247/) ## Related quotes > [What a wonderfully exciting cough,' said the little man, quite startled by it, 'do you mind if I join you?' And with that he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-adams/what-a-wonderfully-exciting-cough-said-the-little-man-quite-startled/) [Douglas Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-adams/) > [“In one swift motion she’s out of his arms twirling about. Startled and then ecstatic, she feels lighter than air, laughing in spite of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solange-nicole/in-one-swift-motion-she-s-out-of-his-arms-twirling-about-startled-and/) [Solange nicole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solange-nicole/) > [“She slammed down the phone. The sharp bang shattered my heart like a bottle hitting the sidewalk”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-crandall/she-slammed-down-the-phone-the-sharp-bang-shattered-my-heart-like-a/) [Susan Crandall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-crandall/) > [“What's possible?' she asked. 'Anything,' he said absently. 'But that’s not what I was talking about. Oh, hello, Claire. You’re in good time. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/what-s-possible-she-asked-anything-he-said-absently-but-that-s-not/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [A small laugh startled me and I looked over to see her actually smiling. Making her do that more often was a new goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abbi-glines/a-small-laugh-startled-me-and-i-looked-over-to-see-her-actually/) [Abbi Glines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abbi-glines/) > [Not long ago, in an excruciatingly remote village in the Australian Outback, I was startled to see a bartender in a cowboy hat measuring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-miles/not-long-ago-in-an-excruciatingly-remote-village-in-the-australian/) [Jonathan Miles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-miles/) > [“For you, a thousand times over," I heard myself say.Then I turned and ran.It was only a smile, nothing more. It didn't make everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-you-a-thousand-times-over-i-heard-myself-say-then-i-turned-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“they sleep, they can be startled, even there in the soothing of the heart, like waves on the shore around them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/they-sleep-they-can-be-startled-even-there-in-the-soothing-of-the/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“I turned round and Jeeves shied like a startled mustang.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse-3/i-turned-round-and-jeeves-shied-like-a-startled-mustang/) [P G Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse-3/) > [ I remember it as if it were today... seeing him \[Che\] framed in the viewfinder, with that expression. I am still startled by the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alberto-korda/i-remember-it-as-if-it-were-today-seeing-him-che-framed-in-the/) [Alberto Korda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alberto-korda/) > [“I jumped at the sound of my last name. I get started frequently, because I spent most of my time in my own head.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sariah-wilson/i-jumped-at-the-sound-of-my-last-name-i-get-started-frequently/) [Sariah Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sariah-wilson/) > [“I was woken by a shell-burst in the trench of sleep. Heart skipping, with eyes fighting light, my thoughts sprang up like a field…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-wiles/i-was-woken-by-a-shell-burst-in-the-trench-of-sleep-heart-skipping/) [Will Wiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-wiles/) > [I get startled really easily, so I hate horror films. I have to close my eyes when I think something is going to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-lezark/i-get-startled-really-easily-so-i-hate-horror-films-i-have-to-close/) [Leigh Lezark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-lezark/) > [Some years ago, I was introduced to Nicole Kidman and I curtseyed! I'm sure she doesn't remember but she looked a bit startled. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-fitzgerald/some-years-ago-i-was-introduced-to-nicole-kidman-and-i-curtseyed-i-m/) [Tara Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-fitzgerald/) > [He had electric blue hair that had stuck around his head like tendrils of a startled octopus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/he-had-electric-blue-hair-that-had-stuck-around-his-head-like/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) ## More by Diana Gabaldon > [Alright, all right," I said. "What if I tell you a story, instead?" Highlanders loved stories, and Jamie was no exception. "Oh, aye, "…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/alright-all-right-i-said-what-if-i-tell-you-a-story-instead/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [There were moments, of course. Those small spaces in time, too soon gone, when everything seems to stand still, and existence is balanced on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/there-were-moments-of-course-those-small-spaces-in-time-too-soon-gone/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [If it was a sin for you to choose me . . . then I would go to the Devil himself and bless him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/if-it-was-a-sin-for-you-to-choose-me-then-i-would-go-to-the-devil/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [When I turned 35, I thought, 'Mozart was dead at 36, so I set the bar: I'm going to start writing a book on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/when-i-turned-35-i-thought-mozart-was-dead-at-36-so-i-set-the-bar-i-m/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I stagger out of bed, take the dogs outside, and then I'll get a Diet Coke and a couple of dog biscuits and go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-stagger-out-of-bed-take-the-dogs-outside-and-then-i-ll-get-a-diet/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“It was…hard. I didna call out, or let them see I was scairt, but I couldna keep my feet. Halfway through it, I fell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/it-was-hard-i-didna-call-out-or-let-them-see-i-was-scairt-but-i/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I have all the time and space in the world when I write a book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-have-all-the-time-and-space-in-the-world-when-i-write-a-book/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I discovered that, given the indescribable nature of what I write, the only way to sell it is to give people free samples.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-discovered-that-given-the-indescribable-nature-of-what-i-write-the/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“We are bound,you and I, and nothing on this earth shall part me from you."One large hand rose to stroke my hair. "D'ye mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/we-are-bound-you-and-i-and-nothing-on-this-earth-shall-part-me-from/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [I think characters are going to be, if not a reflection of the author, at least some refraction of some part of their personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-think-characters-are-going-to-be-if-not-a-reflection-of-the-author/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [My husband asked me once why I read so many mysteries, and part of it is just intellectual, part of it is the joy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/my-husband-asked-me-once-why-i-read-so-many-mysteries-and-part-of-it/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“My Da says you’re never drunk, so long as ye can hold on to the floor.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/my-da-says-you-re-never-drunk-so-long-as-ye-can-hold-on-to-the-floor/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [When you're an artist, you can't write with the intent of affecting anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/when-you-re-an-artist-you-can-t-write-with-the-intent-of-affecting/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“But a man is not forgotten, as long as there are two people left under the sky. One, to tell the story; the other,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/but-a-man-is-not-forgotten-as-long-as-there-are-two-people-left-under/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) > [“I didn’t answer, occupied in dissolving the penicillin tablets in the vial of sterile water. I selected a glass barrel, fitted a needle, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-gabaldon/i-didn-t-answer-occupied-in-dissolving-the-penicillin-tablets-in-the/) [Diana Gabaldon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) [Explore all 952 Diana Gabaldon quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-gabaldon/) ## More Startled quotes > [What a wonderfully exciting cough,' said the little man, quite startled by it, 'do you mind if I join you?' And with that he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-adams/what-a-wonderfully-exciting-cough-said-the-little-man-quite-startled/) [Douglas Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-adams/) > [Some years ago, I was introduced to Nicole Kidman and I curtseyed! I'm sure she doesn't remember but she looked a bit startled. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-fitzgerald/some-years-ago-i-was-introduced-to-nicole-kidman-and-i-curtseyed-i-m/) [Tara Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-fitzgerald/) > [I get startled really easily, so I hate horror films. I have to close my eyes when I think something is going to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-lezark/i-get-startled-really-easily-so-i-hate-horror-films-i-have-to-close/) [Leigh Lezark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-lezark/) > [“I was woken by a shell-burst in the trench of sleep. Heart skipping, with eyes fighting light, my thoughts sprang up like a field…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-wiles/i-was-woken-by-a-shell-burst-in-the-trench-of-sleep-heart-skipping/) [Will Wiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-wiles/) > [“I jumped at the sound of my last name. I get started frequently, because I spent most of my time in my own head.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sariah-wilson/i-jumped-at-the-sound-of-my-last-name-i-get-started-frequently/) [Sariah Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sariah-wilson/) > [ I remember it as if it were today... seeing him \[Che\] framed in the viewfinder, with that expression. I am still startled by the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alberto-korda/i-remember-it-as-if-it-were-today-seeing-him-che-framed-in-the/) [Alberto Korda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alberto-korda/) > [“I turned round and Jeeves shied like a startled mustang.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse-3/i-turned-round-and-jeeves-shied-like-a-startled-mustang/) [P G Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse-3/) > [“they sleep, they can be startled, even there in the soothing of the heart, like waves on the shore around them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/they-sleep-they-can-be-startled-even-there-in-the-soothing-of-the/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“For you, a thousand times over," I heard myself say.Then I turned and ran.It was only a smile, nothing more. It didn't make everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-you-a-thousand-times-over-i-heard-myself-say-then-i-turned-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Not long ago, in an excruciatingly remote village in the Australian Outback, I was startled to see a bartender in a cowboy hat measuring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-miles/not-long-ago-in-an-excruciatingly-remote-village-in-the-australian/) [Jonathan Miles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-miles/) > [A small laugh startled me and I looked over to see her actually smiling. Making her do that more often was a new goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abbi-glines/a-small-laugh-startled-me-and-i-looked-over-to-see-her-actually/) [Abbi Glines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abbi-glines/) > [“What's possible?' she asked. 'Anything,' he said absently. 'But that’s not what I was talking about. Oh, hello, Claire. You’re in good time. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/what-s-possible-she-asked-anything-he-said-absently-but-that-s-not/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [“She slammed down the phone. The sharp bang shattered my heart like a bottle hitting the sidewalk”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-crandall/she-slammed-down-the-phone-the-sharp-bang-shattered-my-heart-like-a/) [Susan Crandall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-crandall/) > [“In one swift motion she’s out of his arms twirling about. Startled and then ecstatic, she feels lighter than air, laughing in spite of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solange-nicole/in-one-swift-motion-she-s-out-of-his-arms-twirling-about-startled-and/) [Solange nicole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solange-nicole/) > [He had electric blue hair that had stuck around his head like tendrils of a startled octopus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/he-had-electric-blue-hair-that-had-stuck-around-his-head-like/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) [Browse all 100 Startled quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/startled/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“was awakened abruptly just after dawn by a tiny stinging sensation on top of my head. I blinked and put up a hand to investigate. The movement startled a large gray jay who had been pulling hairs out of my head, and he shot up into a nearby pine tree, screeching hysterically. “Serve you right, mate,” I muttered, rubbing the top of my head, but couldn’t help smiling. 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