012 · Tribute to my mother

Original in French

English version

Je n'ai alors rien su comprendre!  J'aurais dû la juger sur les actes et non sur les mots.    Elle m'ambaumait et m'éclairait. Je n'aurais jamis dû m'enfuir! J'aurais dû deviner sa tendresse derrière ses pauvres ruses.  Les fleurs sont si contadictoires!  Mais j'étais trop jeune pour savoir l'aimer.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry,
Le petit prince, viii.

The fact is that I did not know how to understand anything! I ought to have judged by deeds and not by words. She cast her fragrance and her radiance over me. I ought never to have run away from her.  I ought to have guessed all the affection that lay behind her poor little strategems. Flowers are so inconsistent! But I was too young to know how to love her.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry,
The Little Prince, viii.