El Principito

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

THE LITTLE PRINCE

TO LÉON WERTH

I say sorryto childrenbecause I gave this bookto a grown-up.

I have a good reason:this grown-upis my best friendin the world.

I have another reason:this grown-upunderstands everything,even books for children.

I have a third reason:this grown-uplives in France.

He is hungry and cold,so he needssomeone to be kindto him.

If these reasonsare not enough,I give this bookto the child.

All grown-upswere children first.

(But not many of themremember it.)