From the Chaplaincy

Perseverance in the Desert

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the famous author of The Little Prince, was also an aviator. In 1935, while attempting a long-distance flight from France towards Vietnam, his aircraft crashed in the Libyan Desert near the Egyptian border.

Saint-Exupéry and his flight engineer suddenly found themselves stranded in a remote and unforgiving environment. With very limited food and water, they decided to set out on foot in search of help. Over the next four days, they walked across the desert relying on small amounts of dew collected during the night to supplement their dwindling supplies.

The journey was physically demanding, but it was also mentally challenging. As dehydration and fatigue took their toll, the two men experienced visual and auditory mirages, making it difficult at times to judge their surroundings accurately. Despite this, they continued moving forward, focusing on the simple goal of taking the next step.

After four days, and over 140km, their persistence was rewarded when they encountered two Bedouin herdsmen, who gave them water and guided them to safety.

What makes this story particularly interesting is that the experience later helped inspire The Little Prince. The story, set partly in a desert, offers thoughtful reflections on imagination, human relationships and the different ways that children and adults view the world. A difficult incident became the source of a story that has inspired generations of readers.

Saint-Exupéry's experience is a reminder that perseverance is not always about dramatic acts of courage. More often, it is about continuing steadily when circumstances are difficult or uncertain. We may not always know how a challenge will end, but we can choose to keep moving forward.

The moral is simple: perseverance does not require extraordinary strength; it requires the determination to take the next step, even when the destination is not yet in sight.

A faithful person will have many blessings.

- Proverbs 28:20 

The lives of great men and women are miracles of patience and perseverance. 

- Mary Baker Eddy

Fall seven times and stand up eight.

- Japanese Proverb 

The Chaplaincy Team