Little Prince

A Fable For Adults

-- The Little Prince by Saint-Exupery

I guess that among people who have read the book The Little Prince which has an amazing amount of readers around the globe merely second to the Bible, there should be many more grown-ups than children, though the classic tale can be read on many levels and enjoyed by readers of any age. Undoubtedly, it is full of vivid imagery and beautiful illustrations that make it sweet enough for children. However, because of the symbols, metaphors, hidden sentimental atmosphere, especially the tragic ending -- children are used to such sentences as the princess lived happily together with the prince for ever and ever -- and the moral it conveys, teens will not have proper understanding and appreciation of this story. IЎЇd rather believe that Saint-Exupery had written The Little Prince which is simple yet profound for the adults who still keep childЎЇs hearts.

The little prince came from a tiny unknown planet. He had left his beautiful rose, traveled to lots of places, and met all kinds of ridiculous things as well as a wise fox and a pilot the narrator. He was looking for something though he was not aware of it. After all, the little prince learnt life lessons and we adult readers learn more from him.

Adults in the PrinceЎЇs Eyes

Leaving his own planet, one after another, the little prince met a king, a conceited man, a tippler, a businessmanÐŽ­ and finally he arrived on the earth. All the person he met is either stupid or selfish -- from childrenЎЇs point of view, adults are always hard to understand and they are doing inexplicable things. But it is true! ArenЎЇt we always pursuing empty things such as fame and fortune just as the king who ruled no subjects and the man who was extremely conceited? ArenЎЇt we always trapped in a circle set by ourselves just as the tippler and businessman -- drinking for forgetting drinking, selling stars for making more money to buy stars? ArenЎЇt we always keep working but forget the aim of working just as the geographer?

As we are growing up, something much more valuable than money or social status deserts us little by little without our notice. Maybe we will begin to appreciate the simple things in life again and discover the real difference between children and adults after reading this beautiful tale.

The Rose and the Fox

In fact, I think the beautiful but proud rose is the soul of the story. Without her the little prince would not make his journey, without her we will not have this book.

She was fragile, fastidious and coquettish; she was afraid of the wind blowing, the coldness and darkness, making childish tricks to keep the little princeЎЇs love. Not until the prince left did she say Of course I love youÐŽ­. The little prince