"All grown-ups were once children": Rediscovering Wonder in a Busy World

 “The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupery is a beautifully enchanting story that I've just had the pleasure of reading for the first time this year- something I've been wanting to do for quite a while! I'm happy I started the new year with this lovely tale. It begins with the idea that “All grown-ups were once children,” setting the stage for a charming adventure. The story follows an aviator who unexpectedly crosses paths with the Little Prince, a little traveller from his tiny asteroid B-612, after the Prince finds himself stranded in the vast Sahara. Curious and longing for home, the Prince embarks on a journey that takes him across the universe- visiting a wide array of fascinating characters: an emperor with no subjects, a proud man craving admiration, a drunkard hiding his shame, a businessman eager to own the stars, a geographer who's never explored his own world but wants accuracy, and a lamp lighter forever burdened by his duties on a spinning planet that quickly turns night into day.

His travels lead him to Earth, where he first meets a snake in the desert. Along the way, he revisits the rose garden that reminds him of his beloved rose back home, befriends and tames a wise fox who teaches him that “what is essential is invisible to the eye,” and meets a few others. These encounters teach him important lessons about love, friendship, and understanding. The Little Prince's natural curiosity and kindness capture everyone's heart, and through his adventures, he also learns from those he meets. This tender story gently critiques adult perspectives, showing how often they chase illusions at the expense of true joy. It carries a bittersweet ending, with the Prince leaving Earth to tend to his beloved rose on his asteroid, guided and helped by a cryptic snake that allows him to say goodbye by biting him. The story reminds us that while grown-ups might forget what really matters, children- and those who see through their innocence- know that true wisdom is often invisible to the eye.
 

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