Looking for the 911 Message

Today we landed at chapter 5 in our reading of The Little Prince.  Before we read, I told my class to listen carefully for the "911 message" or main idea of the chapter.  We talked about what kind of information you would give 911 if you had to call them, and I spent several minutes making up fake, over-the-top conversations with 911 operators, as we giggled about how absurd it would be to call for help and never tell the person that could help you what you actually needed!

After much silliness (gasp -- silliness and learning?), we opened the book and began reading about the little prince and the baobab trees.  This chapter is rich with beautiful images.  First, I pointed out favorite quotes to my students, "But seeds are invisible. They sleep deep in the heart of the earth's darkness..." but it wasn't long before they were stopping me to point out things they noticed as well.

"But when it is a bad plant, one must destroy it as soon as possible, the very first instant one recognizes it."

This led to a conversation about how easy it is to let bad thoughts take root in your heart and push out all the good thoughts.  One boy actually said if you let bad thoughts in all the time they can "break you apart with sadness."

Today was a day when all the pieces of the day fit together seamlessly.  During a writing lesson earlier I had shared with the kids how sad I was when my grandmother died, but when I got very sad I could focus on all the good things -- learning to knit with her, making bread, picking strawberries in the garden -- all these good thoughts helped me to let go of the sadness and hold my happy memories in place.

While we talked about good and bad seeds (thoughts), and how bad seeds could take hold and split you in pieces, they brought up my grandmother, and my happy thoughts.  I mentioned the three baobab bushes that the lazy man didn't tend to, and asked what would happen if I let all my bad thoughts take root and grow, forgetting to tend the good thoughts.  The common answer was that we have to protect our heart from evil.  I was genuinely touched by the depth of thought they put into this idea!

Of course, there were funny moments too -- after talking about what "urgent" means, and explaining the word "necessity", they all started telling me they had an urgent necessity whenever they needed to go to the bathroom!

After we finished chapter 5, we worked to summarize it by listing some details, and finally, tell the "911 message" or main idea.

Here is what they came up with: The little prince warns to tend your rose bushes (good thoughts) and remove all baobabs (bad thoughts) or they will overcome you.

No wonder the narrator begs us: "Watch out for the baobabs!"