The Little Prince's Desert

Hello Philososeekers,

The Little Prince is one of the most cherished novels in history, and it is also one of my most favorite books.  The story itself is just one big metaphor, and it has little meanings in every sentence.  If you don't read them carefully, it's easy to miss some big concepts.  One of many questions that can be asked after reading is: Where is the desert where the story takes place?  An immediate response might be that it is the Sahara Desert, because it's mentioned that the pilot crash-landed there.  But where is it really?  Why in the world would the pilot have to crash there when he's uncertain of his place in the world, where there's no contact with other people at all?  The lonely land may isolate people, but doesn't your journey start with yourself, and then become influenced by others?  If that is so, the little prince may just be the soul of a younger aviator, but that is to be discussed later.  But even then, why would fate bring the little prince to the desert, when he's on his journey to find himself?  Maybe the desert represents something more as a setting.  I feel that the desert is a place of discovery, of imagination, of inner youth, of your true self, and of all the life lessons that the dear story has taught us.  It is within ourselves, and can always be found despite outside circumstances in your life.  Your desert can be found, but only if you look for it. Let's take another look at it:

It's a sight to behold, isn't it?  This is the touching last paragraph in The Little Prince that comes with this view:

"Look at it carefully so that you will be sure to recognise it in case you travel some day to the African desert. And, if you should come upon this spot, please do not hurry on. Wait for a time, exactly under the star. Then, if a little man appears who laughs, who has golden hair and who refuses to answer questions, you will know who he is. If this should happen, please comfort me. Send me word that he has come back."

So please, dear reader, sometime in your busy day, do find your hidden desert of who you truly are, and go back to it from time to time, simply to remember.

                                                                                                                   

                                                                                       Forever,

                                                                     Optimistic Reflection

Much Thanks to: Mrs. Chittum, my English teacher, for bringing up this subject and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry for his thought-evoking book that has touched many lives. :)

Photo Credit: http://www.generationterrorists.com