Britcent Audiobook Review: 3 Life Lessons From 'The Little Prince'
3 min read
Level: Pre-intermediate
Think 'The Little Prince' is just a children's book? Well, think again...
At first, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's novella 'The Little Prince' seems like a simple children's storybook, with its playful drawings of flowers, stars and animals. But you soon realise that it contains deeper messages about life and human nature. Here are three lessons we can learn from this heart-warming tale.
Remember what's important
During his journey from planet to planet, the Little Prince meets many unusual characters. Some of them, like the Vain Man, are only interested in things of little real value. He wants to know he's the richest and best-looking man on his planet (even though he's the only person there!). The Little Prince is confused by this behaviour. He reflects on his relationship with the Rose, who he lovingly cares for. 'The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched, they are felt with the heart', he says. The lesson here is that we give meaning to life by nurturing our relationships—not by caring about material things, like money and power.
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Don't lose the magic of childhood
The narrator often mentions how he gave up his childhood dream of becoming an artist, after being discouraged by the adults around him. He learnt that most adults prefer numbers and more practical, serious topics. But when he meets the Little Prince, he remembers his childhood passion for drawing again. And the Little Prince's constant questioning reminds him of the sweet curiosity of childhood. What we can learn here is that as we grow older, we must remember not to lose our creativity. We should allow ourselves to daydream, be creative and search for new experiences.
Step out of your comfort zone
At one point the Little Prince meets an 'old gentleman who wrote voluminous books.' At first he thinks the man is an explorer. He then discovers he is actually a geographer who has never even set foot outside of his office. Like the geographer, many people tend to stay inside their comfort zone because it's easier than taking risks. What we really should do is use the time we have on Earth to try different experiences, meet new people and travel the world.
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Interested in knowing more about this magical story? Click on the link above to access the full audiobook! Or perhaps you just want a taster? Listen to chapters 1—3 on our YouTube channel, or scroll down to listen to it here. Follow the words on the screen as Chris reads them to improve your listening and pronunciation skills. Like the sound of Chris' British accent? Try signing up for lessons with a native speaker at Britcent. Your teacher will give you tips on pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary and more.
Vocabulary takeaway
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Please note: These blog posts are written in informal, conversational English.
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