"At moments of wonder, it is easy to avoid small thinking, to entertain thoughts that span the universe, that capture both thunder and tinkle, thick and thin, the near and the far." (ch. 85, p. 233)

Obviously the use of "thunder and tinkle, thick and thin, the near and the far" are pairs of opposite words that appeal to the various senses (hearing, feeling, seeing). They emphasize that when one feels "wonder" as Pi does, the "small" things seem to fade away while noting that one can think more broadly about the "big" questions. I believe all people feel awe when thinking about the wonders of the universe, feelings that are often felt when one is alone under the big, broad sky.