French Hearts

"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-Exupery (from his book The Little Prince)

As the poet Wendell Berry has said, there are “things that can be known only by cherishing.” These things must be known “not just conceptually but imaginatively as well. . . . They must be pictured in the mind and in the memory; they must be known with affection, ‘by heart.’

     While on Earth, the Little Prince encounters a fox.  Because he was depressed, the Little Prince asks the fox to play with him.  The fox tells him that due to his untamed nature, he cannot play with the Little Prince.  He explains that they must first establish ties with each other and become friends. After the fox instructs the Little Prince how to tame him, the two form a very strong and meaningful friendship. Through this friendship, the Little Prince learns that "one sees clearly only with the heart.  Anything essential is invisible to the eyes."    

     The Fox is a representation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s ideal relationship: friendship.  Friendship is not easy, it requires time and understanding from both parties.  However, if sufficient effort is made, it can be extremely gratifying.  The Fox is an allegory for the challenges and rewards close friendships bring.

   I remember reading the "The Little Prince" years and years ago. I love the passage above   the most. The illustration is of those words as it appears in the French version. Saint-Exupery , a Frenchman, actually wrote the book in New York and submitted the manuscript to his publishers with his original drawings in two languages: English and French.

    The Little Prince is both the most read and most translated book in the French language, and was voted the best book of the 20th century in France. Translated into more than 250 languages and dialects (including braille), selling over a million copies per year with sales totaling more than 140 million copies worldwide, it has become one of the best-selling books ever published.

      Together with this French theme, I would like you to listen to this love song "She" sung by Charles Aznavour, one of France's most popular and enduring singers. I had not heard it before because it is from another generation. Now, I think it should be remembered as one of the great love songs of our  time.