The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, richard howard (translator)
One of the true classics of children’s novels, The Little Prince is so much more than a short story. It is an incredible metaphor for one of the most important sayings in life: you do not know what you have, until it is gone. Humans are notorious for craving more and more - there is always improvement to be had, comparisons to others with “more” to be made. This greed is corruptive to ones happiness, blinding the aflicted to the true beauty and value of their lives. When progression isn’t made as quickly as one would like, they begin to compare to outside sources and can be consumed with envy - the grass is always greener on the other side. This novel ultimately shows readers the importance of creativity, intention, and gratitude.
In the dedication of the book, the author states “All grown-ups were children first. (But few of them remember it).” It’s a simple statement, but so impactful if one cares to consider the depth of meaning within it. As human beings, we are all equal; babies, children, teenagers, adults, the elderly. Just because one possesses more knowledge or experience in life does not mean they are more entitled to love and respect compared to others. Some (most) adults seem to forget they were young once when confronted with a young person acting outside of the behaviours that took the adults their whole lives to learn. To discourage children in any way for their interests or questions is deplorable. It is important to cultivate the creativity and individuality of each person, allowing children to grow at their own pace. They will have plenty of time for stress and social expectations when they are older - just let kids be kids.
When the book begins, reading it as an adult, the reader is confused about the purpose or story of the book. It is only when one continues the novel where they feel the tangible impact of the words. The descriptions of children versus adults, how they think and speak and live, strikes a cord of nostalgia for the innocence of youth. The author creates an extraordinary story wherein the little prince learns why things are or become important. The blessings of the little things. He lives on a tiny planet and takes care of a flower; a rose. The comparison of his rose being more important than any of the other millions of roses in the world was so touching. You can truly feel the emotional connection to the little prince, and the mind of the reader immediately makes the connection to their own life. The rose is important because of the time and love and effort that the little prince experiencd with her. He does not realize this importance until he leaves, and realizes what he has left behind. Of course, it is a painful experience to learn, which is conveyed strongly throughout the novel. The little prince takes quite the journey to come to the important realization, conversing with many different individuals to eventually make his way to the knowledge he leaves with.
One of my favourite quotes is by the fox that the little prince befriends: “One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes.” One assigns meaning to the things and experiences they encounter. If everything is taken at face value, life would be very unfulfilling. Learning the lesson that the fox teaches the little prince is crutial for a truly content life.