--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Why, Jon, why?\" his mother asked. \"Why is…" description: "\"Why, Jon, why?\" his mother asked. \"Why is it so hard to be like the rest of the flock, Jon? Why can't you leave low flying to the pelicans, the alhatro..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/760/richard-bach-424_air_why-jon-why-his-mother-asked-why-is-it-s_2782191.png" --- # Why, Jon, why?" his mother asked. "Why is it so hard to be… ![“Why, Jon, why?" his mother asked. "Why is it so hard to be like the rest of the flock, Jon? Why can't you leave low flying to the pelicans, the alhatross? Why don't you eat? Son, you're bone and feathers!" "I don't mind being bone and feathers mom. I just want to know what I can do in the air and…” quote by Richard Bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/760/richard-bach-424_air_why-jon-why-his-mother-asked-why-is-it-s_2782191.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/760/richard-bach-424_air_why-jon-why-his-mother-asked-why-is-it-s_2782191.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/760/richard-bach-424_air_why-jon-why-his-mother-asked-why-is-it-s_2782191.png) > “Why, Jon, why?" his mother asked. "Why is it so hard to be like the rest of the flock, Jon? Why can't you leave low flying to the pelicans, the alhatross? Why don't you eat? Son, you're bone and feathers!" "I don't mind being bone and feathers mom. I just want to know what I can do in the air and what I can't, that's all. I just want to know.” [Richard Bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bach/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The mother questions why the child cannot conform; the child seeks freedom to explore limits and possibilities. **In simple terms:** A child wants to know what they can and cannot do. Key Takeaway Encourage curiosity and personal limits. Themes freedom identity exploration parenting Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - family dynamics - education - personal growth Key Concepts existentialism self‑discovery creativity Questions to Reflect On - What limits do you accept? - How does curiosity shape your path? A Different Perspective Freedom may clash with societal expectations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Air](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/air/) [Bones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bones/) [Feathers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feathers/) [Feathers Mom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feathers-mom-3319120/) [Flock Jon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flock-jon-3319121/) [Flocks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flocks/) [Flying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flying/) [Jon Mother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jon-mother-2238987/) [Lows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lows/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Mom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mom/) [Mother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother/) [Mother Asked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother-asked-362878/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Pelicans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pelicans/) [Son](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/son/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) ## Related quotes > [Jon's mother had three kids named Penny, Nickel and \_\_????\_\_. You'll be amazed how many people get this wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-mccloskey/jon-s-mother-had-three-kids-named-penny-nickel-and-you-ll-be-amazed/) [Justin Mccloskey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-mccloskey/) > [He spoke of very simple things- that it is right for a gull to fly, that freedom is the very nature of his being,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-bach/he-spoke-of-very-simple-things-that-it-is-right-for-a-gull-to-fly/) [Richard Bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bach/) > [Do you have any idea how many lives we must have gone through before we even got the first idea that there is more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-bach/do-you-have-any-idea-how-many-lives-we-must-have-gone-through-before/) [Richard Bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bach/) > [Do you have any idea how many lives we must have gone through before we even get the first idea that there is more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-bach/do-you-have-any-idea-how-many-lives-we-must-have-gone-through-before-2/) [Richard Bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bach/) > [We have a slate of four films. From Karen Young - the USA bestselling author - we have Blood Bayou. Again, we're relying on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-waters/we-have-a-slate-of-four-films-from-karen-young-the-usa-bestselling/) [Drew Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-waters/) > [A pelican that is wet walks with a gated limp, but a dry fish swims alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cosby/a-pelican-that-is-wet-walks-with-a-gated-limp-but-a-dry-fish-swims/) [Bill Cosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cosby/) > [Growing up, I loved what Kobe did and Dirk did. My intentions are to stay with the Pelicans my whole career, but if something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zion-williamson/growing-up-i-loved-what-kobe-did-and-dirk-did-my-intentions-are-to/) [Zion Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zion-williamson/) > [I said excuse me you're a hell of a guy, I mean my my my my you're like pelican fly!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicki-minaj/i-said-excuse-me-you-re-a-hell-of-a-guy-i-mean-my-my-my-my-you-re/) [Nicki Minaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicki-minaj/) > [I mean, m-m-m-my you're like pelican fly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicki-minaj/i-mean-m-m-m-my-you-re-like-pelican-fly/) [Nicki Minaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicki-minaj/) > [Jesus Lord, kind Pelican, Cleanse my filth with Thy blood, One drop of which can save The whole world from all its sin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-aquinas/jesus-lord-kind-pelican-cleanse-my-filth-with-thy-blood-one-drop-of/) [Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-aquinas/) > [“Well, if she doesn't like pelicans she must be very disagreeable.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-oliver/well-if-she-doesn-t-like-pelicans-she-must-be-very-disagreeable/) [Tess Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tess-oliver/) > [I mean, it's funny, I'm not going to lie. It's funny saying it. We're the Pelicans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jrue-holiday/i-mean-it-s-funny-i-m-not-going-to-lie-it-s-funny-saying-it-we-re-the/) [Jrue Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jrue-holiday/) > [Will you look at us by the river! The whole restless mob of us on spread blankets in the dreamy briny sunshine skylarking and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-winton/will-you-look-at-us-by-the-river-the-whole-restless-mob-of-us-on/) [Tim Winton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-winton/) > [Nature's prime favourites were the Pelicans; High-fed, long-lived, and sociable and free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-montgomery/nature-s-prime-favourites-were-the-pelicans-high-fed-long-lived-and/) [James Montgomery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-montgomery/) > [Can you imagine any better example of divine creative accomplishment that the consummate flying machine that is a bird? The skeleton, very flexible and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-murchie/can-you-imagine-any-better-example-of-divine-creative-accomplishment/) [Guy Murchie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-murchie/) ## More by Richard Bach > [“Heaven is not a place, and it's not a time. Heaven is being perfect.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-bach/heaven-is-not-a-place-and-it-s-not-a-time-heaven-is-being-perfect/) [Richard Bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bach/) > [You'd chosen to be an upright biped on the surface of a small planet of a minor sun on the edge of a minor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-bach/you-d-chosen-to-be-an-upright-biped-on-the-surface-of-a-small-planet/) [Richard Bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bach/) > [Your harshest truths are dreams, and your gentlest dreams are true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-bach/your-harshest-truths-are-dreams-and-your-gentlest-dreams-are-true/) [Richard Bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bach/) > [“Happiness is a choice. It is not always an easy one.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-bach/happiness-is-a-choice-it-is-not-always-an-easy-one/) [Richard Bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bach/) > [Argue for your limitations, and sure enough they're yours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-bach/argue-for-your-limitations-and-sure-enough-they-re-yours/) [Richard Bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bach/) > [The world is a dream, you say, and it’s lovely, sometimes. Sunset. Clouds. Sky.” “No. The image is a dream. The beauty is real.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-bach/the-world-is-a-dream-you-say-and-it-s-lovely-sometimes-sunset-clouds/) [Richard Bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bach/) > [The original sin is to limit the Is. Don't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-bach/the-original-sin-is-to-limit-the-is-don-t/) [Richard Bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bach/) > [Silly ideas, worth the admission price in smiles, but they're true. Is high-energy physics interesting because it's true or because it's crazy?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-bach/silly-ideas-worth-the-admission-price-in-smiles-but-they-re-true-is/) [Richard Bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bach/) > [The best way to pay for a lovely moment is to enjoy it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-bach/the-best-way-to-pay-for-a-lovely-moment-is-to-enjoy-it/) [Richard Bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bach/) > [I am tired of clinging. Though I cannot see it with my eyes, I trust that the current knows where it is going. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-bach/i-am-tired-of-clinging-though-i-cannot-see-it-with-my-eyes-i-trust/) [Richard Bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bach/) > [If you want to meet someone who can fix any situation you don't like, who can bring you happiness in spite of what other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-bach/if-you-want-to-meet-someone-who-can-fix-any-situation-you-don-t-like/) [Richard Bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bach/) > [The space for what you want is already filled with what you settled for instead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-bach/the-space-for-what-you-want-is-already-filled-with-what-you-settled/) [Richard Bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bach/) > [The books remind us that way down deep in our hearts, part of us knows that we are creatures of light and we cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-bach/the-books-remind-us-that-way-down-deep-in-our-hearts-part-of-us-knows/) [Richard Bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bach/) > [Part of us is always the observer, and no matter what, it observes. It watches us. It does not care if we are happy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-bach/part-of-us-is-always-the-observer-and-no-matter-what-it-observes-it/) [Richard Bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bach/) > [Kindle Singles is publishing on skates. It prints like lightning; our book meets readers in hours. I've spent so many years waiting for publishers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-bach/kindle-singles-is-publishing-on-skates-it-prints-like-lightning-our/) [Richard Bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bach/) [Explore all 539 Richard Bach quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bach/) ## More Air quotes > [I will be a tireless advocate for our District's defense priorities including Sheppard Air Force Base, Pantex, Bell Helicopter, universities conducting important research, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronny-jackson/i-will-be-a-tireless-advocate-for-our-district-s-defense-priorities/) [Ronny Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronny-jackson/) > [I have lifted my plane . . . for perhaps a thousand flights and I have never felt her wheels glide from the Earth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beryl-markham/i-have-lifted-my-plane-for-perhaps-a-thousand-flights-and-i-have/) [Beryl Markham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beryl-markham/) > [If U.S. air, naval, missile, and ground forces were not in and around Korea, and if we were not treaty-bound to fight alongside South…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-buchanan/if-u-s-air-naval-missile-and-ground-forces-were-not-in-and-around/) [Pat Buchanan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-buchanan/) > [The cooler days have brought a wistful mood upon him. The smell of coalsmoke in the air at night. Old times, dead years. For…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cormac-mccarthy/the-cooler-days-have-brought-a-wistful-mood-upon-him-the-smell-of/) [Cormac McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cormac-mccarthy/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [I'm a candle flame that sways in currents of air you can't see. You need to be the one who steadies me to burn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nadine-gordimer/i-m-a-candle-flame-that-sways-in-currents-of-air-you-can-t-see-you/) [Nadine Gordimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nadine-gordimer/) > [It is sometimes said that scientists are unromantic, that their passion to figure out robs the world of beauty and mystery. But is it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/it-is-sometimes-said-that-scientists-are-unromantic-that-their/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [ Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs \[Less Developed Countries\]?... I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-summers/just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-world-bank-be-encouraging-more/) [Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-summers/) > [After a few mouthfuls of moon-flavored air, even the stubbornly drowsy can find themselves wide-eyed.. All the normal noises of life were gone, leaving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-d-wilson/after-a-few-mouthfuls-of-moon-flavored-air-even-the-stubbornly-drowsy/) [N.D. 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