Read Time:9 Minute, 24 Second

By William Van Zyl

Table of Contents

A brief overview of the novel:

The famous novel by Saint-Ex – a children’s book written in French – is about a young prince who visits various planets in space, including Earth, and addresses themes of loneliness, friendship, love, and loss. The Little Prince makes observations about life and human nature. The book is said to have many layers of life lessons locked into an unusual story. Several people have commented that the lessons they have learned from the book have impacted their lives.

After writing a recent article on the famous novels Moby Dick (Herman Melville) and Macbeth (Shakespeare); I was having a very healthy smoothie in the morning with my wife – and I must mention researching Indian Food benefits for brain health – we had some exciting discussions around challenges as we get older. Part of the debate is the challenging position a newly elected president places himself or herself is – for example, Joe Biden of the US (78 years young). In this context of retirement and the activities in nursing homes, it sparked a lively debate. I will use the exciting novel, The Little Prince, By Antoine, which includes just so much creativity. He has been adventurous – flying aeroplanes. It seems like his novel’s inspiration comes after he crashes in the Sahara Desert while endeavouring to set a new world record for the fastest time from Paris to Saigon. It is believed that the catastrophic event inspired him to write the novel.

‘On 30 December 1935, at 2:45 am, after 19 hours and 44 minutes in the air, Saint-Exupéry, along with his mechanic-navigator André Prévot, crashed in the Libyan desert, during an attempt to break the speed record in a Paris-to-Saigon air race and win a prize of 150,000 francs.’

What makes his life story and even more intriguing is that he disappeared while flying over the ocean. It was believed that he had died while on a reconnaissance mission from Corsica over the Mediterranean on 31 July 1944.

Miraculously, the engraved bracelet of Antoine was found in a fishing net decades later. The discovery of the bracelet led divers to the crash site. Eventually, the broken-up plane was discovered, and parts of the aircraft ended up on display in a French museum. Read the engraving on the bracelet in the image.

The bracelet of the famous French writer found in a fishing net. Incredible find! Credit image: By Fredriga – Photo prise à Marseille Durant l'été 2009., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7895755

From my sketchbook:

Novel: ‘Le Petite Prince.’ Aviator and writer Antoine De Saint-Exupèry inspired the artwork. The children’s book was published in 1943. Credit: William Van Zyl (Watercolours and ink).

A section of the landing gear of Saint-Exupéry’s P-38 Lightning, recovered from the Mediterranean off France’s coast in 2003, displayed at the French Air and Space Museum. Credit: Harry Zilber – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16190429

A still image of Saint-Exupèry during a boat tour of a lake near Montreal, Canada, filmed in May 1942. The image was extracted from a single frame of an approximate two-minute length 16mm colour Kodachrome movie shot casually while meeting with his Canadian publisher Bernard Valiquette and friends, along with wife Consuelo (all of whom are out of view in the image).

The group, which included many women who regaled with laughter at his stories and jokes, were at that moment enjoying a leisurely tour of the lake, with the occasion being caught on movie / ciné film by the boat’s owner. The fun and cheerfulness are all the more remarkable as Saint-Exupéry was beset by visa problems that prevented him from returning to the United States and was also bedridden with cholecystitis of the gallbladder.

According to Frédérique Parent of Sotheby’s Auction House in London: “In the film, Saint-Ex is surrounded by women under the watchful eye of [his wife] Consuelo, who we see driving the boat; he is telling jokes and laughing and being charming and lovely. It’s an unusual portrayal of Saint-Exupèry, especially as he was said to be ill and depressed at the time. He looks pale and tired, and he has dark rings under his eyes but what is so remarkable is that we see a very happy Saint-Ex, even though we know that this time in Canada was one of the unhappiest times of his life. “

The French newspaper Le Figaro described the footage as “an unexpected little miracle”. The film also provided a never-before-seen movie view of Saint-Exupèry wife and muse, Consuelo, the source of much of his inspired works and angst.

The film is the best, and longest, of three known privately held historical movies of Saint-Exupèry and the only one shot in colour. It was listed for sale in 2010 at Sotheby’s, London and was expected to be sold for € 50,000.

Source of image: By Unknown Author – Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9879603

From my sketchbook: Antoine Marie Jean-Baptiste Roger, comte de Saint-Exupéry, simply known as de Saint-Exupéry (French). 29 June 1900 – 31 July 1944. Antoine was a French writer, poet, aristocrat, journalist and pioneering aviator.

I focus on one aspect of one of the many lessons in this novel. If you want to view an excellent rendition of the story on YouTube – including animated sketches – here is the link.

See the exciting sketches of a sheep in the video. So cool!

Here is the crate. You have to watch the video to find out what is inside! Link to the video: https://youtu.be/APG1upS8LDw

LIFE LESSON FROM THE LITTLE PRINCE: We must have the courage to be adventures and to explore, reaching beyond the horizon to expand; at the same time, we have to be willing to manage a little anxiety. It is beneficial for us!

We tend to stay inside our “comfort zones” because it is easier than taking risks. When we get older, we must use the time we have on Earth to try different experiences, meet new people, and travel the world.

Science says:

There are many reasons to get out of your comfort zones; many of them are backed by science. According to psychologists, The anxiety you experience in the face of the challenge may even lead you to become more efficient, expanding your horizons. Adapting to challenges help us stay sharp in old age, according to a study published in 2013.

I love the quote of Gary Keesee (‘Fixing the Money Thing’):

“Just say yes—even if you don’t have an idea— don’t stress, you can figure it out on the way.”

The Little Prince knows a secret. He knows that out there amid the sun-swept landscape—a scorching desert—there is a well. In that well is all the water they need. To him, the desert is not about the harsh realities of survival or what the eye can see. He doesn’t fixate on the relentless sun and the endless expanse—he sees the prize—the hidden well. A desert can be a place of beauty. Amongst the piles of sand—somewhere—there is a spring. This ‘sheltered water’, which in turn endows beauty, life and love to the weary aeroplane-wrecked pilot, is the prize.

Anxiety is a good thing; it can make you perform at your peak. As you get older, do something challenging. Get out of your comfort zone. Get into the enhancement zone!

Lead researcher Denise Park of the University of Texas at Dallas says, “It seems it is not enough to get out and do something—it is important to get out and do something unfamiliar and mentally challenging. It should provide broad stimulation, mentally and socially. When you are inside your comfort zone, you may be outside of the enhancement zone.”

Source: https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/releases/learning-new-skills-keeps-an-aging-mind-sharp.html

QUOTES:

“And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”

― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

“What makes the desert beautiful,’ said the little prince, ‘is that somewhere it hides a well…”

― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

“The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched, they are felt with the heart.”

― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

“A rock pile ceases to be a rock pile the moment a single man contemplates it, bearing within him the image of a cathedral.”

― Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince

“Grown-ups love figures… When you tell them you’ve made a new friend, they never ask you any questions about essential matters. They never say to you, “What does his voice sound like? What games does he love best? Does he collect butterflies? ” Instead, they demand, “How old is he? How much does he weigh? How much money does his father make? ” Only from these figures do they think they have learned anything about him.”

― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

Copyright © 2021 by William Van Zyl

Leaving Your Comfort Zone Requires Courage. A Brave Move Will Make You More Efficient! A Lesson from ‘The Little Prince’ (Famous Novel by French Writer: Antoine De Saint-Exupèry 1943).

thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner

whatsoever without the express written permission of the

publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Published by Five House Publishing (New Zealand)

First Publishing, 2021

About the Author:

The author’s childhood was far from ordinary, filled with excitement and uniqueness. Instead of globetrotting, he explored the fields, bushes, tool sheds, and mysterious underground tunnels in his neighborhood. His joyous haven involved tinkering with ideas, delving into science, and exploring new possibilities. Riding his bicycle often sparked fresh ideas, infusing unexpected, unique, and creatively vibrant concepts onto pages and sketches.

Even today, he harbours dreams of epic battles and sophisticated weaponry within the innocent confines of a child’s scout cave. His affection for diagrams, timelines, cross-sections, sketches, and the intricacies of sinister and concealed notions persists. Always in search of a new mystery to unravel and weave into his narratives, he investigates and explores extravagant thoughts that find their way into children’s books and stories.

Philosophical perspectives, articles, intriguing stories, and poetry captivate him, becoming subjects he loves to portray. His forte lies in academic and research work, where he effortlessly provides practical yet straightforward explanations within engaging contexts. Clearly, he is no ordinary thinker—a lifelong scholar and teacher, embodying a unique blend of creativity and intellect.