In "A Tale for the Time Being" by Ruth Ozeki, a crow represents the theme of searching for one's way home amid vast distances. The image of the crow struggling to fly high enough to see represents the challenges individuals face in navigating their lives and finding their true place in the world. It symbolizes the disconnect between aspirations and reality, illustrating how obstacles can obscure our paths.

The crow's journey also highlights the significance of perspective, as sometimes the broader view remains out of reach. This echoes the struggles of the characters in the story, who grapple with their identities and connections to the past. Ozeki intricately weaves these elements to explore themes of existence, belonging, and the quest for understanding in a complex and often overwhelming world.