Little Prince — Chapter 4
If you were to say to the grown-ups: "I saw a beautiful house made of rosy brick, with geraniums in the windows and doves on the roof," they would not be able to get any idea of that house at all. You would have to say to them: "I saw a house that cost $20,000." Then they would exclaim: "Oh, what a pretty house that is!"
Just so, you might say to them: "The proof that the little prince existed is that he was charming, that he laughed, and that he was looking for a sheep. If anybody wants a sheep, that is a proof that he exists." And what good would it do to tell them that? They would shrug their shoulders, and treat you like a child. But if you said to them: "The planet he came from is Asteroid B-612," then they would be convinced, and leave you in peace from their questions.
They are like that. One must not hold it against them. Children should always show great forbearance toward grown-up people.
But certainly, for us who understand life, figures are a matter of indifference. I should have liked to begin this story in the fashion of the fairy-tales. I should have like to say: "Once upon a time there was a little prince who lived on a planet that was scarcely any bigger than himself, and who had need of a sheep..."
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Little Prince | |
- The secret garden — Chapter Two Across the moors
- The secret garden — Chapter One The child who was left behind
- The secret garden — Chapter Three Meeting Martha
- The secret garden — Chapter Four The Robin and the gardener
- The secret garden — Chapter Five The strange cry
- The secret garden — Chapter Six There was someone crying
- The secret garden — Chapter Seven The key to the garden
- The secret garden — Chapter Eight The Robin shows the way
- The secret garden — Chapter Nine Behind the garden walls
- The secret garden — Chapter Ten Dickon