Once, my sister loved "The Little Prince." At that time, she was in the sixth grade, and we still lived in the old house by the river. I gave her a copy of "The Little Prince" at the bookstore, and she was very happy because her copy had been lost at school.
I had not read "The Little Prince" during my childhood. It is a very thin book, and with my reading speed as an adult, I quickly finished it. To me, this book seemed ordinary, telling a very common story, and I had no special feelings about it. The title page boldly states, "Dedicated to all those who still have a childlike heart," well, perhaps I have grown up and can no longer empathize with children.
When I returned home for the Spring Festival, I no longer saw the figure of the Little Prince. My sister is now infatuated with some Korean stars that I do not know, and her drawer is full of various star-related items, clearly becoming a fan. I felt astonished, which then turned into helplessness and unease. I could only comfort myself: she has entered puberty, and her self-awareness is flourishing; it is perfectly normal for her to like these things. Many girls in my school days were also fans, perhaps for girls, idolizing and establishing aesthetics is a necessary stage of growth.
I have a feeling of the worries that elders once had about me, fearing that children would go astray, fearing they could not find the right path. At that time, I only felt that the elders were nagging, and no one understood me. Many years have passed, and only now do I understand their feelings.
The book states, "All adults were once children, although only a few of them remember," and I realized that I have come so far, far enough to become an adult who worries about others, far enough to not see my former self clearly.
I still miss that Little Prince, miss that beautiful, pure Little Prince. I miss my sister who relied on me and affectionately called me brother, and I miss the me who walked along the road, full of curiosity about everything.
Perhaps this is why so many people love "The Little Prince." We were all once Little Princes, but later lost the Little Prince within our hearts.