I only know that the story of The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint- Expuréy is a figuratively deep novel, no one warned me of its actual profoundness. Reading it in a language that I greatly admire only hits—more like pierce—the right buttons in me.
This Cebuano-translated version of The Little Prince was actually written by my paternal aunt. She's an English teacher who has always been undeniably charmed by literature, especially the classics. She got the book published in 2023, and left a good amount of free copies for my family.
To Zimmy (only using my pen name here coz why not),
Continue being kind. Make this story a guide in your life!
Yes, it's been two years since she gave me a copy but I've only finished reading it now, literally in 2025. Just in time to feed my soul post graduation, as an official adult.
I think you know how a fresh graduate feels after realizing she's on her own now. Confusion, doubts, fears, peer, family, and societal pressure, and a webbed ceiling I'm too preoccupied to sweep away. Along the webbed ceiling, my eyes landed on the webbed pile of books on my bedside, specifically on the dominantly white-covered masterpiece. And behold, a 3-hour-passionate-reading has began.
Top 3 'Adults' That Stood Out and their Significant Quotes
I'd probably say 'interesting' rather than 'favorite' adults that stood out from this classic novel. It's The Little Prince who's my most favorite, but that's already a given.
Top 3: Ang Palahubog (The Drunkard)
I like his character. It's so real and raw and unpretentious. Although in truth I am someone who doesn't really drink, I feel for the utter shame and apologeticness of the Drunkard.
Ashamed of what?
Ashamed of drinking!
Sometimes, feeling ashamed of oneself for being the way one is actually happens to an adult. It's a struggle to break away from a habit that unknowingly destroys you little by little. Because it would not come off as an error in the beginning. Sometimes, it's a once good excuse. Then, you try to forgive yourself and swear 'I will be better.' Comes the next instance, and you forgive yourself again. Then the next, and the cycle becomes frustrating knowing that there hasn't been any improvements. You haven't change. And this creates guilt inside, a guilt that you try to gazzle, but the lump remains. The next thing you know, you hate yourself for being the way you are. For upsetting your friend, for loving too much that you lose yourself, for trying to be free but ended up being deeply chained. The Drunkard falls into a quicksand of shame and regret. The more he feels the more he drinks. And while he drinks, the more he sinks. A reality of adults who are too afraid to confront their true realities, and instead wallow in their misery. A reality that you and I once shared.
Top 2: Tigdagkot sa Suga (Lamplighter)
I like that he knows how important it is to prioritize rest. As an adult who are bombarded with many responsibilities, we are also prone to having a burnout.
After I put the light on in the morning, I would use the rest of the time of the day to do other things, and the rest of the hours in the night, I would use to get some sleep.
Although I really have to ask: when do you take the time off? Before or during a burnout? Those are just the things in my mind especially during those hectic weeks I had back in school doing thesis and other English major writeups. But nevertheless, adults really have to go get some rest. Take a time off, shower, meditate, pray, eat good food, or whatever way that could help you be grounded with your reality and find harmony in it.
Remind me this isn't a self-help blog, but yeah, go help yourself if you wanna.
Top 1: Ang Lobo (The Fox)
I just have to say this dude is the most well-versed 'adult' thus far. He knows what he's saying, and clearly knows what he wants. He even gave the Little Prince a gift—a beautiful advice about life that just makes so much sense.
It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.
Among all the representation of 'adults' in this novel, only the Fox knows his worth.
Many adults these days forget this, making it extra difficult to deal with adulting life. Because amidst the people and the noise in the world, it is hard to be grounded to your truth. Sometimes it's clouded and overshadowed by others, and the next thing you know, you just lost yourself. Not this fox, though!
On a side note, the Cebuano language has a way of telling this story in a hilarious way just coz its tone and wordings are so accurate. You know that when you react 'HAHA' on a meme but you didn't laugh, only that you relate to it? That kind, but I did laugh while reading. HAHA.
It was so heartwarming to read it in a language I am forever admiring simply because it's my first language.
Nevertheless, whether in English or Cebuano, The Little Prince speaks in a very profound language that only your heart could understand.