“My drawing was not a picture of a hat. It was a picture of a boa constrictor digesting an elephant.”
Explore This Quote Further
-
Working on it...
-
Working on it...
-
Working on it...
Quote Analysis: "My drawing was not a picture of a hat. It was a picture of a boa constrictor digesting an elephant." - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
This quote, from The Little Prince, reveals layers of meaning about perception, imagination, and understanding. On the surface, the narrator’s drawing appears to depict a simple hat, but it actually represents something far more complex—a boa constrictor swallowing an elephant. This contrast highlights how people often fail to see beyond the obvious and judge things by their outward appearances.
The statement underscores the theme of childhood creativity versus adult skepticism. Children, represented by the narrator’s original vision, are able to think imaginatively and recognize the hidden depths in things, while adults tend to interpret the world literally and dismiss unconventional ideas. The drawing acts as a metaphor for the limitations of conventional thinking and invites readers to look beyond surface impressions to grasp deeper truths.
In essence, this quote encourages a mindset that values curiosity, open-mindedness, and the courage to see the extraordinary in what others might simply overlook.
Similar quotes
“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.”
“Transport of the mails, transport of the human voice, transport of flickering pictures-in this century as in others our highest accomplishments still have the single aim of bringing men together.”
“Will you draw me a sheep?”
“For true love is inexhaustible; the more you give, the more you have. and if you go to draw at the rule fountainhea, the more water you draw, the more abundant is its flow.”
“The night had fallen. I had let my tools drop from my hands. Of what moment now was my hammer, my bolt, or thirst, or death? On one star, one planet, my planet, the Earth, there was a little prince to be comforted. I took him in my arms, and rocked him. I said to him: "The flower that you love is not in danger. I will draw you a muzzle for your sheep. I will draw you a railing to put around your flower. I will --" I did not know what to say to him. I felt awkward and blundering. I did not know how I could reach him, where I could overtake him and go on hand in hand with him once more. It is such a secret place, the land of tears.”
“What did I care about my hammer, about my bolt, about thirst or death? There was, on one star, on one planet, on mine, the Earth, a little prince to be consoled! I took him in my arms. I rocked him. I told him, 'The flower you love is not in danger...I'll draw you a muzzle for your sheep...I'll draw you a fence for your flower...I' I didn't know what to say. How clumsy I felt! I didn't know how to reach him, where to find him...It's so mysterious, the land of tears.”