The Little Prince (drawing by the author)

The fairy tale-parable "The Little Prince" appeared in 1943, several months before the writer's last combat sortie.
Saint-Exupéry liked to repeat that it is in childhood that the main qualities of a person are formed and that the one who managed to preserve his wonder at the world and a grateful attitude towards all living things throughout his life is immensely happy. "We all come from childhood," the writer reminds us and introduces us to the most mysterious, touching and infinitely fragile creature named the Little Prince. Despite all his defenselessness, the Little Prince is irreconcilable with greed and ambition. Before the power of his kindness and simple-minded wisdom, even the yellow snake itself - death - retreats, until the Little Prince calls it to himself in order to save at such a price the beloved creature that he tamed. Every person, be it an adult or a child, listening to the fairy tale, will think, or, as the Little Prince said, "will see with his heart" this piercingly sad poetic work in which Saint-Exupéry expressed his most cherished thoughts. That it is necessary to appreciate a person, his smile. That it is impossible to live without love and friendship. And that people need the beauty of poetry and kindness just as much as they need pure spring water.