Grown-ups Never Understand Anything by Themselves
Celebrating curiosity with inspiration from the beloved book, The Little Prince
While attending college at CalArts, I was assigned to work backstage for one of our seasonal performances as required for all dance majors. One of the student works was a piece inspired by The Little Prince. Growing up, I’ve always heard about the book, but it wasn’t until after watching that performance that I took the time to actually read it. Shortly after, my roommate, who was absolutely enamoured by the book growing up, introduced me to the 2015 animated film adaptation, voiced by well-known actors such as Jeff Bridges, Rachel McAdams, James Franco, Benicio del Toro, and Paul Rudd, amongst many others.
Since discovering this beloved story, I have grown incredibly fond of Le Petit Prince. I couldn’t help but reread it recently during my self-appointed At-Home Art Residency as a way to recapture my curiosity and whimsical wonder that came so naturally to me when I was a child. One quote in particular has always reminded me to stretch my imagination.
“I showed the grown-ups my masterpiece, and I asked them if my drawing scared them.
They answered, ‘Why be scared of a hat?’
My drawing was not a picture of a hat. It was a picture of a boa constrictor digesting an elephant. Then I drew the inside of the boa constrictor, so the grown-ups could understand. They always need explanations…
The grown-ups advised me to put away my drawings of boa constrictors, outside or inside, and apply myself instead to geography, history, arithmetic, and grammar. That is why I abandoned, at the age of six, a magnificent career as an artist. I had been discouraged by the failure of my drawing Number One and of my drawing Number Two. Grown-ups never understand anything by themselves, and it is exhausting for children to have to provide explanations over and over again.”
- Antoine De Saint-Exupery
This lack of imagination in adults stems from the worries that entangle our love for art and life. We get beaten down with stress, grief, and loss, and forget the simplicity of what it was like to be a kid again. The innocence of childhood comes with a confidence that is so pure, needing to explore and question everything. Somewhere along the way, however, that curious nature we all inherently have is not allowed to flourish as it should.
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.”
- Pablo Picasso
I recently attended my ten-year high school reunion. There I was thinking I would have to fight my way through resistance, much like every artist being told to grow up because an art career is child’s play. To my surprise, however, my classmates, many of whom were in theatre, dance, and fine arts, all seemed supportive of my artistic endeavours. It felt celebratory, as if to say that at least one of us was making it happen. Though I couldn’t help but feel a slight twinge of sadness coming from their end. Perhaps because their reality didn’t allow them to fulfil their artistic dreams into adulthood. Artists are rare these days, especially ones who continue to see the value in continuing to play.
“The only things you learn are the things you tame,’ said the fox. ‘People haven’t time to learn anything. They buy things ready-made in stores. But since there are no stores where you can buy friends, people no longer have friends. If you want a friend, tame me! …
‘Here is my secret. It’s quite simple:
It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.’”
- Antoine De Saint-Exupery
If you are passionate about something, don’t let anyone stop you from going after what you want. Call back to when you felt the most open to explore. Who were you around and where were you? It’s important to pay attention to who made you feel safe enough to not only foster curiosity but also celebrate it. Take the time to learn about the things that make you spark. We were all artists once. Let us not forget to nurture our little prince.
