Richard Bach. The Seagull named Jonathan Livingston (№ 151120)

Those gulls where you came from are standing on the ground, squawking and fighting among themselves. They're a thousand miles from heaven - and you say you want to show them heaven from where they stand! Jon, they can't see their own wingtips!
Seagulls, which you left standing on the ground, they scream and fight with each other. They live thousands of miles from the heavens, and say you want to show them heaven from Earth! Why, they, John, can't see the tips of his own wings.