Jonathan Livingston Seagull is frustrated with the meaningless conventionality of a seagull’s life. He is bored by the daily bickering for food and the limitations that define a seagull’s life. Driven with a passion for flying, he pushes himself in audacious mid-air feats and experiments to learn all that he can about flying. His passion to push boundaries lands him in a conflict with his flock, who eventually banish him.

Living as an outcast, Jonathan’s determination does not fade and he continues his efforts to fly higher. In his quest, he meets two radiant seagulls who take him to a ‘higher plane of existence’ through perfection of knowledge. Here, he meets other gulls that love flying, and teach him the idea of unlimited freedom. Jonathan learns that forgiving is essential and reaches back to Earth to his flock to teach them his newfound ideals.