--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I pointed at the little kids goading each…" description: "\"I pointed at the little kids goading each other to jump from rib cage to shoulder and Gus answered just loud enough for me to hear over the din, 'Last ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e6/john-green-12_cages_i-pointed-at-the-little-kids-goading-eac_2053777.jpg" --- # I pointed at the little kids goading each other to jump… ![“I pointed at the little kids goading each other to jump from rib cage to shoulder and Gus answered just loud enough for me to hear over the din, 'Last time, I imagined myself as the kid. This time, the skeleton.” quote by John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e6/john-green-12_cages_i-pointed-at-the-little-kids-goading-eac_2053777.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e6/john-green-12_cages_i-pointed-at-the-little-kids-goading-eac_2053777.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9e6/john-green-12_cages_i-pointed-at-the-little-kids-goading-eac_2053777.jpg) > “I pointed at the little kids goading each other to jump from rib cage to shoulder and Gus answered just loud enough for me to hear over the din, 'Last time, I imagined myself as the kid. This time, the skeleton.” [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He reflects on empathy, imagining himself in another’s painful experience, highlighting the power of perspective. **In simple terms:** He imagines being the other person. Key Takeaway Practice seeing situations from others’ viewpoints. Themes empathy perspective growth Mood thoughtful reflective Type philosophical emotional When to use this quote - conflict resolution - therapy - education - personal reflection Key Concepts psychology identity human connection Questions to Reflect On - How does imagining yourself as another change your response? - What limits empathy in daily life? A Different Perspective People may resist confronting uncomfortable truths. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cages](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cages/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enough/) [Gus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gus/) [Gus Answered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gus-answered-3883519/) [Imagined Kid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagined-kid-606868/) [Jump Rib](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jump-rib-3883521/) [Kids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kids/) [Kids Goading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kids-goading-3883520/) [Last time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/last-time/) [Lasts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lasts/) [Little kid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/little-kid/) [Littles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/littles/) [Loud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loud/) [Rib cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rib-cage/) [Ribs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ribs/) [Shoulder Gus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shoulder-gus-3883522/) [Shoulders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shoulders/) [Skeletons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skeletons/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“Last time, I imagined myself as the kid. This time, the skeleton.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/last-time-i-imagined-myself-as-the-kid-this-time-the-skeleton/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [I realised that the 'future' is different to how I imagined it. When I was a kid I thought it would be a bright,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bailey/i-realised-that-the-future-is-different-to-how-i-imagined-it-when-i/) [Bill Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bailey/) > [You know how we make a Scotch and water in this home?" "No, sir," Gus said. "We pour Scotch into a glass and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/you-know-how-we-make-a-scotch-and-water-in-this-home-no-sir-gus-said/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [You’re joining us for dinner, I hope?” asked his mom. She was small and brunette and vaguely mousy. “I guess?” I said. “I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/you-re-joining-us-for-dinner-i-hope-asked-his-mom-she-was-small-and/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [He took a bite, swallowed. "God. If asparagus tasted like that all the time, I'd be vegetarian, too." Some people in a lacquered wooden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/he-took-a-bite-swallowed-god-if-asparagus-tasted-like-that-all-the/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“So afterward, while I was getting eviscerated by chemo, for some reason I decided to feel really hopeful. Not about survival but I felt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/so-afterward-while-i-was-getting-eviscerated-by-chemo-for-some-reason/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“People always get used to beauty, though.” “I haven’t gotten used to you just yet,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/people-always-get-used-to-beauty-though-i-haven-t-gotten-used-to-you-4/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“Augustus Waters was sitting on the front step as we pulled into the driveway. He was holding a bouquet of bright orange tulips just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/augustus-waters-was-sitting-on-the-front-step-as-we-pulled-into-the/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“Omnia Cellula e Cellula”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/omnia-cellula-e-cellula/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [I want more numbers than I’m likely to get, and God, I want more numbers for Augustus Waters than he got. But, Gus, my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/i-want-more-numbers-than-i-m-likely-to-get-and-god-i-want-more/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [When surprised and excited and innocent Gus emerged from Grand Gesture Metaphorically Inclined Augustus, I literally could not resist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/when-surprised-and-excited-and-innocent-gus-emerged-from-grand/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [Dad had a sign of his own. MY BEAUTIFUL FAMILY, it read, and then underneath that (AND GUS).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/dad-had-a-sign-of-his-own-my-beautiful-family-it-read-and-then/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [So how’s it going?” “Okay. Glad to be home, I guess. Gus told me you were in the ICU?” “Yeah,” I said. “Sucks,” he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/so-how-s-it-going-okay-glad-to-be-home-i-guess-gus-told-me-you-were/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“Ma'am,' Augustus said, nodding toward her, 'your daughter's car has just been deservedly egged by a blind man. Please close the door and go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/ma-am-augustus-said-nodding-toward-her-your-daughter-s-car-has-just-2/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [Anyway, that was the last good day I had with Gus until the Last Good Day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/anyway-that-was-the-last-good-day-i-had-with-gus-until-the-last-good/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) ## More by John Green > [Issac:"I dislike living in a world without Augustus Waters." Computer: "I don't understand-" Issac: "Me neither. Pause](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/issac-i-dislike-living-in-a-world-without-augustus-waters-computer-i/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“I just want to stay away from people and read books and think”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/i-just-want-to-stay-away-from-people-and-read-books-and-think/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [She smiled with all the delight of a kid on Christmas morning and said, "Y'all smoke to enjoy it. I smoke to die." -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/she-smiled-with-all-the-delight-of-a-kid-on-christmas-morning-and/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [A Margo for each of us--and each more mirror than window.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/a-margo-for-each-of-us-and-each-more-mirror-than-window/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“No one ever says good-bye unless they want to see you again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/no-one-ever-says-good-bye-unless-they-want-to-see-you-again/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [Neither novels or their readers benefit from any attempts to divine whether any facts hide inside a story. 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I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/so-i-was-ugly-i-was-never-fat-really-and-i-never-wore-headgear-or-had/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [Nothing has ever looked like that ever in all of human history.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/nothing-has-ever-looked-like-that-ever-in-all-of-human-history/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“said to him quietly, as if I couldn’t hear or something. Dad was about to respond but I interrupted.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/said-to-him-quietly-as-if-i-couldn-t-hear-or-something-dad-was-about/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [I believe humans have souls, and I believe in the conservation of souls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/i-believe-humans-have-souls-and-i-believe-in-the-conservation-of-souls/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“He was hot. A nonhotboy stares at you relentlessly and it is, at best, awkward and, at worst, a form of assault. But a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/he-was-hot-a-nonhotboy-stares-at-you-relentlessly-and-it-is-at-best/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [I think if you keep the box closed long enough you do kill the cat, actually.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/i-think-if-you-keep-the-box-closed-long-enough-you-do-kill-the-cat/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [Imagining the future is a kind of nostalgia. (...) You spend your whole life stuck in the labyrinth, thinking about how you'll escape it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/imagining-the-future-is-a-kind-of-nostalgia-you-spend-your-whole-life/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) [Explore all 3,614 John Green quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) ## More Cages quotes > [My heart jumps out of its cage to see what the fuss is about. Damn thing. Always so hopeful, but my voice hides it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-wylie/my-heart-jumps-out-of-its-cage-to-see-what-the-fuss-is-about-damn/) [Sarah Wylie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-wylie/) > [When a captive lion steps out of his cage, he comes into a wider world than the lion who has known only the wilds.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yukio-mishima/when-a-captive-lion-steps-out-of-his-cage-he-comes-into-a-wider-world/) [Yukio Mishima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yukio-mishima/) > [Peace in the struggle to find peace.. comfort on the way to comfort. And if I shed a tear I won't cage it I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-mclachlan/peace-in-the-struggle-to-find-peace-comfort-on-the-way-to-comfort-and/) [Sarah McLachlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-mclachlan/) > [If we are ready to tear down the walls that confine us, break the cage that imprisons us, we will discover what our wings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-elmore-meegan/if-we-are-ready-to-tear-down-the-walls-that-confine-us-break-the-cage/) [Michael Elmore-Meegan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-elmore-meegan/) > [“And then a strange thing happened. Out of the diseased and deteriorated pool os tired thoughts came life. A simple and poisoned life, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-mckean/and-then-a-strange-thing-happened-out-of-the-diseased-and/) [Dave McKean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-mckean/) > [There are certain times you rattle the press's cages, and other times you don't, and you have to be discerning about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-fleischer/there-are-certain-times-you-rattle-the-press-s-cages-and-other-times/) [Ari Fleischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-fleischer/) > [Let yourselves be led by the Holy Spirit, with freedom and, please, do not cage the Holy Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/let-yourselves-be-led-by-the-holy-spirit-with-freedom-and-please-do/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [What do you fear, lady?' he asked. 'A cage,' she said.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-do-you-fear-lady-he-asked-a-cage-she-said/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > ['Untitled' is a time machine that can transport you to 1992, an edgy moment when the art world was crumbling, money was scarce, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-saltz/untitled-is-a-time-machine-that-can-transport-you-to-1992-an-edgy/) [Jerry Saltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-saltz/) > [When I went to Australia, I went shark diving. It was crazy. It was called 'extreme' shark diving because even though we were in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-lautner/when-i-went-to-australia-i-went-shark-diving-it-was-crazy-it-was/) [Taylor Lautner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-lautner/) > [Being in love, you know... it's not like having a canary, in a cage. 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Over the cage floor the horizons come.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-hughes/the-world-rolls-under-the-long-thrust-of-his-heel-over-the-cage-floor/) [Ted Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-hughes/) > [“I think of animals in cages, pressed close against each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-christopher-baer/i-think-of-animals-in-cages-pressed-close-against-each-other/) [Will Christopher Baer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-christopher-baer/) [Browse all 561 Cages quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cages/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I pointed at the little kids goading each other to jump from rib cage to shoulder and Gus answered just loud enough for me to hear over the din, 'Last time, I imagined myself as the kid. 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