A week or two ago, my friend Lyrinda said that she saw similarities between The Little Prince and me.  She recommended that I read the book.

I had done so twice, in my earlier life.  But I remember hardly anything, other than smiling in response to the words of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

About three years, I gave away virtually all my books.  I wanted to be lighter.  Yesterday I added 300 grams or so.

Look at this … me reading again!

Ahh – the chapters of my life.  Sometimes loving something  >  Leaving it  >  And returning.

Open up any page, Bruce, and see what’s there

Okay.  Page 61.

“The little prince crossed the desert and met with only one flower.  It was a flower with three petals, a flower of no account at all.”

It wasn’t an important flower.  It was simply a flower.  And the only one in this moment.  Something ordinary that deserved to be cherished.  Something with no adjectives.

***

That was fun.  Let’s try it again.  Page 39.

“The second planet was inhabited by a conceited man.  ‘Ah!  Ah!  I am about to receive a visit from an admirer!’ he exclaimed from afar, when he first saw the little prince coming.”

I have met many people who reek of Look at me!  See how great I am.  And under their breath … greater than you.  How tiresome to be in their presence.  So instead of big egos I seek big souls.

***

Once more with feeling.  Page 75.

A merchant: “Computations have been made by experts.  With these pills, you save fifty-three minutes in every week.”

Faster, stronger, more efficient, squeezing every last second out of …  Out of what?  Certainly not life.  I’m done with the compression of moments.  I seek their expansion – into realms previously unknown and unexplored.  Bring them on.

***

Thank you, Antoine.  My adventures with you begin again