Tag Archive | Image of God

“The Little Prince, Day 11”

Oct22

The story of “The Little Prince” is coming to an end in section XXV. In this section, the author begins to communicate that this was a very spiritual experience for him. The author/narrator uses many Catholic themes in section XXV. He begins by talking about a well that is not like the wells in the Sahara which were simple holes in the ground. The author is most likely referring to natural flowing artesian wells in the Sahara. He says that the well he found was like a well in a village with a bucket, a pulley, and a rope. This analogy relates to the spiritual well of God’s love that St. Teresa of Avila describes in her own mystical desert experiences.

The author/narrator goes on to describe “Its sweetness was born of the walk under the stars, the song of the pulley, the effort of my arms. It was good for the heart, like a present. When I was a little boy, the lights of the Christmas tree, the music of the Midnight Mass, the tenderness of smiling faces, used to make-up, so, the radiance of the gifts I received.” What is the author describing here?

The author/narrator is describing a life experience when he grew in gratitude for all those around him and within him. The author/narrator is clarifying his mystical nature by communicating to us about this radiant moment of unity with all of life. He is on a “spiritual high” after suffering for a long time. For those who are still suffering, they will not fully comprehend this “ah-ha” moment that the narrator is describing. The author/narrator is experiencing a birth into a way of living. His spiritual high is like the emotional high of a mother having just given birth successfully – all the suffering was worthwhile.

The sense that other people will not understand this life experience is made apparent by the little prince saying, “Oh, that will be alright,” he said, “children understand.” There is a lot more behind this statement than meets the eye. No, it is not necessarily children who will understand, it is that those who are spiritually open and childlike, free from pride, will have the humility to read this little novella and be open to hearing the spiritual lessons contained within. The character of the little prince is now taking on the image of the Christ child. The author is expressing the significance of his spiritual life experience in the desert. The fact that the author/narrator likely experienced a visit from Jesus Christ in the form of the Holy Spirit is given in the next paragraph by the words of the little prince, “You know- my descent to the earth…Tomorrow will be its anniversary.” Then after a silence, he went on: “I came down very near here.” What is the author trying to communicate?

The author is telling us that he met his childhood image of God in the form of Jesus Christ in the desert when his plane crashed and his life was in jeopardy. During that time in the desert, he did a lot of thinking about what really matters in life and he felt compelled to write what he learned for others to read. The author/narrator wants to inspire others to know that there is more to life than what the eye can see. Again, the author’s message is “What is essential is invisible to the eye.”

Slowing Down For A Story

Sep11

In today’s western world, children’s lives are more scheduled than in any other time in history. In addition to a full day of school, Kindergarteners have homework and first graders have soccer practice. What used to be a typical schedule for an active high school sophomore is the daily routine for many children. Is there time for a story?

Fictional stories may often be considered a distraction, an indulgence, something unproductive, or just a way for young children to learn how to read.  But stories offer much more then just a distraction from an otherwise busy routine.

Stories offer children a broader picture of life. Today’s parents want their children to have a healthy sense of self-esteem. Both parents and teachers want children to feel good about themselves. For example, in the Christian tradition children are taught that they are made in the image of God and God is good. Parents want children to feel safe in the world. Parents want children to interact with “good” people. However, this can be very confusing to children who deep down know they are not always good. Children also know that even when they are good, they would probably prefer to do things that are not good at all. How do we reconcile this great disparity?

Storytelling offers a child relief from the internal pressures of being “good” all the time. In a busy day, with many structured activities which require a child to be obedient to a tight schedule, children can find solace in stories. Just like adults enjoy fictional stories, children enjoy living vicariously through the hero or heroine in an intriguing story. Instead of fearing that they are a monster inside because they know they would like to be “bad” sometimes, a child can find peace deep within themselves by watching a movie, reading a book, or listening to a story where the main character copes with their own negative attributes successfully.

Hiding children from violent emotions, primitive drives, loneliness and isolation actually creates more anxiety in children. Children begin to disown these “negative” parts of themselves. Children begin to fear the monster inside of themselves which no one else can know about. Ultimately, this pattern leads to excessive achievement to prove ones “goodness” or various addictions to numb the stress from a lack of integration within ourselves. Storytelling offers a way to integrate the human and the divine alive within us all.

Related articles