’Where are the people?’ The little prince finally resumed the conversation. ‘It’s a little lonely in the desert…’

’It’s also lonely with people,’ said the snake.

The little prince looked at the snake for a long time. ‘Your’e a funny creature,’ he said at last, ‘no thicker than a finger.’

’But I’m more powerful than a king’s finger,’ the snake said.

The little prince smiled.

’You’re not very powerful…You don’t even have feet. You couldn’t travel very far.’

’I can take you further than a ship,’ the snake said. ” (49-50)

The author of this sweet little book was a French Aviator who took off on a mission during World War II and never returned. He published many books, and finally this one, only a year before he left.

In the story, a pilot who crashes in the desert. While he labours to repair his plane, a little prince, who comes from a very small planet, visits him.

The little prince left his planet because he had a falling out with a flower. In his wanderings, he encounters many strange grown-ups on their own small planets – a king, a very vain man, a grumpy accountant, a lamp-lighter and a geographer. Each of these characters provides a lesson about life.

During his visit to Earth, the little prince meets the pilot and asks him to draw a picture of a sheep. In return, the little prince shares his stories of adventure and the many lessons he learned along the way.

On Earth, the little prince meets a fox, who teaches him a valuable lesson about love and friendship. He meets a snake, who leads him to his fate.

There is a bit of a controversy regarding the translation of this story from its original French. Many readers prefer the first translation by Katherine Woods, which is long out of print and difficult to find (but can be found online here). Some readers find this first translation truer to the spirit of the original French text.

Interestingly, you can determine if later translations derive from the original French or from Wood’s English version by locating a small translation error. In chapter four, Wood’s translation reads: “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…” when in fact, it should read “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 friend…”

I read both translations and each had its merits – I enjoyed both of them. They each include the real heart of the book, which are Antoine De Sainte-Exupéry’s wondrous illustrations and the message that ultimately, love is what really matters. The book is a quick read, but full of hidden meaning. This is one that I will read again and again (accordingly, I have purchased my own copy).