--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That’s what I always wanted to know. Why…" description: "\"“That’s what I always wanted to know. Why would some fella be willing to do something generous for a kid he doesn’t even know?” Rodney asked. “Have to ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32c/kenny-rogers-7905_asked_that-s-what-i-always-wanted-to-know-why_2710925.jpg" --- # That’s what I always wanted to know. Why would some fella… ![“That’s what I always wanted to know. Why would some fella be willing to do something generous for a kid he doesn’t even know?” Rodney asked. “Have to say I’m surprised, Mr. Burton. Of all the people on the face of the earth,” he said, his voice softening, “I figured if anyone knew the answer to…” quote by Kenny Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32c/kenny-rogers-7905_asked_that-s-what-i-always-wanted-to-know-why_2710925.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32c/kenny-rogers-7905_asked_that-s-what-i-always-wanted-to-know-why_2710925.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32c/kenny-rogers-7905_asked_that-s-what-i-always-wanted-to-know-why_2710925.jpg) > ““That’s what I always wanted to know. Why would some fella be willing to do something generous for a kid he doesn’t even know?” Rodney asked. “Have to say I’m surprised, Mr. Burton. Of all the people on the face of the earth,” he said, his voice softening, “I figured if anyone knew the answer to that one, it’d be you.”” [Kenny Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-rogers/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Surprise at unexpected generosity reveals hidden depths in strangers. **In simple terms:** Unexpected kindness reveals true character. Key Takeaway Remain open to surprise generosity. Themes generosity surprise humanity connection Mood warm inspiring Type storytelling philosophical When to use this quote - charity events - random acts - community building Key Concepts altruism social bonds unexpected kindness Questions to Reflect On - Who has surprised you with kindness? - What drives people to help strangers? A Different Perspective Not all strangers are selfish. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Asked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asked/) [Christmas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christmas/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Generosity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generosity/) [Generous Kid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generous-kid-2806574/) [Know Rodney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-rodney-2806575/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Rodney Asked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rodney-asked-2806573/) [Willing Generous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/willing-generous-2569264/) ## Related quotes > [So I sent Halt to straighten matters out. Thought it might be a good idea to give him something to keep him busy." So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/so-i-sent-halt-to-straighten-matters-out-thought-it-might-be-a-good/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [I wonder why anyone would hesitate to be generous with their writing. I mean, if you really want to make a living, go to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/i-wonder-why-anyone-would-hesitate-to-be-generous-with-their-writing/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [Hang on, did you just call me Angel?” I asked. “If I did?” “I don’t like it.” He grinned. “It stays. Angel.” He leaned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becca-fitzpatrick/hang-on-did-you-just-call-me-angel-i-asked-if-i-did-i-don-t-like-it/) [Becca Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becca-fitzpatrick/) > [“Did you find someone who makes you feel all those things?” she asked, not wanting to think of her own failed union. He locked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mila-rossi/did-you-find-someone-who-makes-you-feel-all-those-things-she-asked/) [Mila Rossi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mila-rossi/) > [“Which to you have?' Mel asked, blocking the entry with his body. 'Talent or issues?' I paused for a moment, thought about this. 'Both,'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leila-sales/which-to-you-have-mel-asked-blocking-the-entry-with-his-body-talent/) [Leila Sales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leila-sales/) > [I've been asked to school dances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-wolfhard/i-ve-been-asked-to-school-dances/) [Finn Wolfhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-wolfhard/) > [“A girl likes to be asked, dumbass.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-stover/a-girl-likes-to-be-asked-dumbass/) [Matthew Stover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-stover/) > [The only thing Steve Jobs has ever asked me in all the years we've been together and have been partners, the only thing he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/the-only-thing-steve-jobs-has-ever-asked-me-in-all-the-years-we-ve/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [Only once have I been made mute. It was when a man asked me, 'Who are you?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/only-once-have-i-been-made-mute-it-was-when-a-man-asked-me-who-are-you/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [For me to even be talking about bikini confidence is crazy. If you had asked me a couple of months ago, I probably would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordin-sparks/for-me-to-even-be-talking-about-bikini-confidence-is-crazy-if-you-had/) [Jordin Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordin-sparks/) > [I've been so lucky with the people I've worked with, but I'm such a fan girl. When I moved to London at 16, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheridan-smith/i-ve-been-so-lucky-with-the-people-i-ve-worked-with-but-i-m-such-a/) [Sheridan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheridan-smith/) > [A lot of people think I'm snotty. So what? They never asked me out when I was serving cheeseburgers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-moriarty/a-lot-of-people-think-i-m-snotty-so-what-they-never-asked-me-out-when/) [Cathy Moriarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-moriarty/) > [“The best questions are ones never asked.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-cory-molloy/the-best-questions-are-ones-never-asked/) [Robert Cory Molloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-cory-molloy/) > [“Who tricked me into this whole thing and leaves me standing here? Who am I? How did I get into the world? Why was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-ren-kierkegaard/who-tricked-me-into-this-whole-thing-and-leaves-me-standing-here-who/) [Søren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-ren-kierkegaard/) > [“Are you sure?" he asked in a low voice. "Because if I had the chance... I would spend every moment of every day with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-monir/are-you-sure-he-asked-in-a-low-voice-because-if-i-had-the-chance-i/) [Alexandra Monir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-monir/) ## More by Kenny Rogers > [Then he bummed a cigarette.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-rogers/then-he-bummed-a-cigarette/) [Kenny Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-rogers/) > [I love Viagra. I don't need it, but I tried it. It's a great legal drug.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-rogers/i-love-viagra-i-don-t-need-it-but-i-tried-it-it-s-a-great-legal-drug/) [Kenny Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-rogers/) > [There's a new hit rock group or singer every five minutes, but with country music, you have one hit and those people love you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-rogers/there-s-a-new-hit-rock-group-or-singer-every-five-minutes-but-with/) [Kenny Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-rogers/) > [Friendships come and go, but families are forever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-rogers/friendships-come-and-go-but-families-are-forever/) [Kenny Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-rogers/) > [Out the window at the darkness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-rogers/out-the-window-at-the-darkness/) [Kenny Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-rogers/) > [Music is what I am, everything else is what I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-rogers/music-is-what-i-am-everything-else-is-what-i-do/) [Kenny Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-rogers/) > [Radio is aimed at the 30-year-old market, so you have to have great music and appeal to get that age group. And you need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-rogers/radio-is-aimed-at-the-30-year-old-market-so-you-have-to-have-great/) [Kenny Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-rogers/) > [We were both too tired to sleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-rogers/we-were-both-too-tired-to-sleep/) [Kenny Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-rogers/) > [There is a trade off - as you grow older you gain wisdom but you lose spontaneity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-rogers/there-is-a-trade-off-as-you-grow-older-you-gain-wisdom-but-you-lose/) [Kenny Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-rogers/) > [If you're gonna play the game, boy. You gotta learn to play it right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-rogers/if-you-re-gonna-play-the-game-boy-you-gotta-learn-to-play-it-right/) [Kenny Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-rogers/) > [It won't mean you're weak if you turn the other cheek.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-rogers/it-won-t-mean-you-re-weak-if-you-turn-the-other-cheek/) [Kenny Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-rogers/) > [For a taste of your whiskey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-rogers/for-a-taste-of-your-whiskey/) [Kenny Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-rogers/) > [Every gambler knows that the secret to survivin'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-rogers/every-gambler-knows-that-the-secret-to-survivin/) [Kenny Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-rogers/) > [Stay away from trouble when you can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-rogers/stay-away-from-trouble-when-you-can/) [Kenny Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-rogers/) > [When the dealin's done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-rogers/when-the-dealin-s-done/) [Kenny Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-rogers/) [Explore all 86 Kenny Rogers quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-rogers/) ## More Asked quotes > [“Are you sure?" he asked in a low voice. "Because if I had the chance... I would spend every moment of every day with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-monir/are-you-sure-he-asked-in-a-low-voice-because-if-i-had-the-chance-i/) [Alexandra Monir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-monir/) > [“Who tricked me into this whole thing and leaves me standing here? Who am I? How did I get into the world? Why was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-ren-kierkegaard/who-tricked-me-into-this-whole-thing-and-leaves-me-standing-here-who/) [Søren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-ren-kierkegaard/) > [“The best questions are ones never asked.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-cory-molloy/the-best-questions-are-ones-never-asked/) [Robert Cory Molloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-cory-molloy/) > [A lot of people think I'm snotty. So what? They never asked me out when I was serving cheeseburgers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-moriarty/a-lot-of-people-think-i-m-snotty-so-what-they-never-asked-me-out-when/) [Cathy Moriarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-moriarty/) > [I've been so lucky with the people I've worked with, but I'm such a fan girl. When I moved to London at 16, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheridan-smith/i-ve-been-so-lucky-with-the-people-i-ve-worked-with-but-i-m-such-a/) [Sheridan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheridan-smith/) > [For me to even be talking about bikini confidence is crazy. If you had asked me a couple of months ago, I probably would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordin-sparks/for-me-to-even-be-talking-about-bikini-confidence-is-crazy-if-you-had/) [Jordin Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordin-sparks/) > [Only once have I been made mute. It was when a man asked me, 'Who are you?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/only-once-have-i-been-made-mute-it-was-when-a-man-asked-me-who-are-you/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [The only thing Steve Jobs has ever asked me in all the years we've been together and have been partners, the only thing he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/the-only-thing-steve-jobs-has-ever-asked-me-in-all-the-years-we-ve/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [“A girl likes to be asked, dumbass.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-stover/a-girl-likes-to-be-asked-dumbass/) [Matthew Stover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-stover/) > [I've been asked to school dances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-wolfhard/i-ve-been-asked-to-school-dances/) [Finn Wolfhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-wolfhard/) > [“Which to you have?' Mel asked, blocking the entry with his body. 'Talent or issues?' I paused for a moment, thought about this. 'Both,'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leila-sales/which-to-you-have-mel-asked-blocking-the-entry-with-his-body-talent/) [Leila Sales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leila-sales/) > [“Did you find someone who makes you feel all those things?” she asked, not wanting to think of her own failed union. He locked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mila-rossi/did-you-find-someone-who-makes-you-feel-all-those-things-she-asked/) [Mila Rossi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mila-rossi/) > [Hang on, did you just call me Angel?” I asked. “If I did?” “I don’t like it.” He grinned. “It stays. Angel.” He leaned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becca-fitzpatrick/hang-on-did-you-just-call-me-angel-i-asked-if-i-did-i-don-t-like-it/) [Becca Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becca-fitzpatrick/) > [At first, I asked, Why me? Then I thought, Why not me?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-jonas/at-first-i-asked-why-me-then-i-thought-why-not-me/) [Nick Jonas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-jonas/) > [When scientists are asked what they are working on, their response is seldom 'Finding the origin of the universe' or 'Seeking to cure cancer.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/when-scientists-are-asked-what-they-are-working-on-their-response-is/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) [Browse all 2,259 Asked quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asked/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“That’s what I always wanted to know. Why would some fella be willing to do something generous for a kid he doesn’t even know?” Rodney asked. “Have to say I’m surprised, Mr. Burton. Of all the people on the face of the earth,” he said, his voice softening, “I figured if anyone knew the answer to that one, it’d be you.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Kenny Rogers" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-rogers/that-s-what-i-always-wanted-to-know-why-would-some-fella-be-willing/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Asked" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-rogers/that-s-what-i-always-wanted-to-know-why-would-some-fella-be-willing/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32c/kenny-rogers-7905_asked_that-s-what-i-always-wanted-to-know-why_2710925.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32c/kenny-rogers-7905_asked_that-s-what-i-always-wanted-to-know-why_2710925.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32c/kenny-rogers-7905_asked_that-s-what-i-always-wanted-to-know-why_2710925.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“That’s what I always wanted to know. Why would some fella be willing to do something generous for a kid he…” — Kenny Rogers", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Kenny Rogers", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-rogers/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“That’s what I always wanted to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-rogers/that-s-what-i-always-wanted-to-know-why-would-some-fella-be-willing/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-rogers/that-s-what-i-always-wanted-to-know-why-would-some-fella-be-willing/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```