Bedtime Quote by Russell Hoban
““(Frances has gotten out of bed again and come to her parents' room...) 'How can the wind have a job?' asked Frances. ' Everybody has a job,' said Father. 'I have to go to my office every morning at nine o'clock. That is my job. You have to go to sleep so you can be wide awake for school tomorrow. That is your job.' Frances said, 'I know, but...' Father said, 'I have not finished. If the wind does not blow the curtains, he will be out of a job. If I do not go to the office, I will be out of a job. And if you do not go to sleep now, do you know what will happen to you?' 'I will be out of a job?' said Frances. 'No,' said Father. 'I will get a spanking?' said Frances. 'Right!' said Father. 'Good night!' said Frances, and she went back to her room.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, 1943
A parent explains that everyone has responsibilities, using the wind as a metaphor for work, and warns of consequences for neglecting duties.
In simple terms: Parents teach duties and consequences.
Key Takeaway
Understand and fulfill your responsibilities.
Themes
responsibility
parenting
learning
consequences
metaphor
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
advice
teaching
When to use this quote
- sleep routines
- school preparation
- parent‑child teaching
- life lessons
- discipline
Key Concepts
duty
role
accountability
Questions to Reflect On
- What responsibilities do you avoid?
- How does framing duties as jobs affect motivation?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may oversimplify complex motivations behind work.
![“My four-year-old daughter regularly requests reading Book One [the March] at bedtime; the methods of reading, delivering, and processing the book's content vary according to a kid's age and developmental level, but she's deeply affected by the story, asking follow-up questions for days.” quote by Nate Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8dc/nate-powell-42191_affected_my-four-year-old-daughter-regularly-requ_81516.jpg)
