Journal Photographs

to be tamed

“Who are you?” asked the little prince, and added, “You are very pretty to look at.”
“I am a fox,” the fox said.
“Come and play with me,” proposed the little prince. “I am so unhappy.”
“I cannot play with you,” the fox said. “I am not tamed.”
“Ah! Please excuse me,” said the little prince.
But, after some thought, he added:
“What does that mean–‘tame’?” 
“It is an act too often neglected,” said the fox. “It means to establish ties.”
“‘To establish ties’?”
“Just that,” said the fox. “To me, you are still nothing more than a little boy who is just like a hundred thousand other little boys. And I have no need of you. And you, on your part, have no need of me. To you, I am nothing more than a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes. But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world . . .”
“My life is very monotonous,” the fox said. “I hunt chickens; men hunt me. All the chickens are just alike, and all the men are just alike. And, in consequence, I am a little bored. But if you tame me, it will be as if the sun came to shine on my life. I shall know the sound of a step that will be different from all the others. Other steps send me hurrying back underneath the ground. Yours will call me, like music, out of my burrow. And then look: you see the grain-fields down yonder? I do not eat bread. Wheat is of no use to me. The wheat fields have nothing to say to me. And that is sad. But you have hair that is the color of gold. Think how wonderful that will be when you have tamed me! The grain, which is also golden, will bring me back the thought of you. And I shall love to listen to the wind in the wheat…” 
“What must I do, to tame you?” asked the little prince.
“You must be very patient,” replied the fox. “First you will sit down at a little distance from me–like that–in the grass. I shall look at you out of the corner of my eye, and you will say nothing. Words are the source of misunderstandings. But you will sit a little closer to me, every day …”
 
So the little prince tamed the fox. And when the hour of his departure drew near–
“Ah,” said the fox, “I shall cry.”
“It is your own fault,” said the little prince. “I never wished you any sort of harm; but you wanted me to tame you . . .”
“Yes, that is so,” said the fox.
“But now you are going to cry!” said the little prince.
“Yes, that is so,” said the fox.
“Then it has done you no good at all!”
“It has done me good,” said the fox, “because of the color of the wheat fields.”*
Great-Grandma Gigi left us yesterday, she is now resting. Telling [W] was like a knife; after her first years of being timid around Gigi, they finally had become fast friends these past two, and had so many lovely moments nestled on her couch, sharing secrets only the very young and the very old tell

Some how books find one at just the right time. The Little Princerecently made its way into my hands, and when we heard the news that Gigi might not be coming home, this passage wouldn’t leave me. Instead, like all great words do, it wrapped itself around me, and made a resting place, this time for my tears. Oh, to be tamed: such joy, such sorrow. 

*This text is taken from chapter 21 of The Little Prince.  
  • Reply
    Patty
    Sunday, November 21, 2021 at 12:58 pm

    I miss your writing. Back when this blog was young, your voice rang through it like a bell, calling us home. I know you are busy with many projects, and I am so happy you are finding success and more and more people get to cook your food. But, I miss posts like this one. Maybe you do to.
    Take care and keep creating,
    Patty

  • Reply
    Nadine
    Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at 3:07 pm

    Hello just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading properly.
    I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different browsers and both
    show the same results.

  • Reply
    Under the almond tree
    Monday, March 4, 2013 at 10:52 am

    Sorry for you and your family loss,what a beautifuland touching farewell post.
    Thank’s for sharing, we all know the pain of loosing our loved ones
    / Anna

  • Reply
    tealeaver
    Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 2:22 am

    Very sorry for your family loss. Your post today melted my heart and brought tears to my eyes.

  • Reply
    Anonymous
    Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 11:58 pm

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    mu?h mor? or figuring out mo?e.
    Thank you f?r great inf? I was l?o?ing for this ?nformation for my mission.

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  • Reply
    Melissa // The Fauxmartha
    Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 10:18 pm

    So much love and depth in your bones. Thinking about you extra these days. Big hug!

  • Reply
    Stefanie
    Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 8:27 pm

    I am so sorry for your loss and for having to explain all of that to your daughter. This post was a beautiful rememberance of your grandma’s spirit and brought a tear to my eye. Wishing you and your family lots of strength during this time.

  • Reply
    Elaina
    Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 7:45 pm

    I’m so sorry for your loss sweetie…what a touching post and such beautifully captured photographs of the two of them. hugs xx

  • Reply
    Emma Galloway
    Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 1:08 pm

    Sending lotsa love to you and yours. It’s so hard for kids to understand I know, Kye still thinks we are going to see Great-Grandad in NZ. Cherish these beautiful photos love xx

  • Reply
    Sacha
    Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 2:11 am

    Beautiful passage. I’m glad the words are helping to pull you through.

  • Reply
    Tartlet Sweets
    Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 7:32 pm

    I love how intently they are looking at and listening to one another in the photos. And your words are, as always, beautiful. So sorry for your loss.

  • Reply
    *kate
    Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 4:04 pm

    I love your writing, Sarah. I’m sorry for your loss.

  • Reply
    Alll Kindsa Stuff
    Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 3:25 pm

    So very lovely, Sarah.
    L

  • Reply
    Melody
    Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 3:24 pm

    Love to you all.

  • Reply
    Caitlin
    Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 3:07 pm

    beautiful post. now i have a burning desire to read the little prince.

  • Reply
    london bakes
    Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 2:54 pm

    Oh Sarah, I’m so sorry for your loss. What wonderful moments you have captured though between her and your daughter. She’ll never forget those precious conversations.

  • Reply
    Jacqui
    Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 2:51 pm

    I’m so sorry to hear about this. Beautiful words and images to tie to her memory.

  • Reply
    Kristen - Dine & Dish
    Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 2:49 pm

    I love The Little Prince… I need to read it again. What a beautiful post.

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