The Little Prince Audiobook w/ Text - Chapter 5

Summary

In this chapter of 'The Little Prince,' the narrator learns about the dangers of baobabs on the little prince's planet. The prince explains how baobabs, if left unchecked, can overrun a small planet, causing it to explode. He emphasizes the importance of daily discipline in removing baobab sprouts before they grow too large. The narrator reflects on the lesson of being proactive in addressing problems early, as illustrated by a drawing of a planet overrun by baobabs. Through this story, the prince teaches the value of careful attention to small, seemingly insignificant issues before they escalate.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Little Prince learns about his planet's baobabs gradually through his interactions and observations.
• 🌱 The Little Prince is concerned about the danger baobabs pose to his planet, as they can overrun the entire surface if left unchecked.
• 🐏 The Little Prince asks the narrator if sheep eat bushes, leading to the realization that baobabs, though similar to bushes when small, can be consumed by sheep to prevent them from growing.
• 🌍 On the Little Prince's planet, there are both good and bad plants, with the bad plants being represented by baobabs, which start as harmless seeds but grow into dangerous trees.
• 🚨 The danger of baobabs is that, if neglected, they can grow out of control and destroy the planet, potentially causing it to explode due to overgrowth.
• ⏰ The Little Prince stresses the importance of daily discipline, suggesting that one must regularly tend to the planet, especially by pulling up baobabs as soon as they are identified.
• 📝 The narrator, inspired by the Little Prince's advice, draws a picture of a planet where a lazy person has neglected baobabs, serving as a cautionary illustration for others.
• 💡 The narrator reflects on the need for discipline and vigilance when tending to a planet, stressing that procrastination with baobabs leads to catastrophe.
• 🎨 Despite the narrator's usual reluctance to draw, he creates a drawing to warn children about the risks of baobabs, considering it an important lesson.
• 🛑 The narrator emphasizes that while there may be other dangers in the universe, the threat of baobabs is often underestimated, and awareness of this danger is crucial.

Q & A

What lesson does the little prince teach about baobabs?

The little prince teaches that baobabs are dangerous because if they are not controlled when they are small, they can grow uncontrollably and destroy the entire planet. The key is to remove them early, before they can cause harm.

Why are the baobabs described as a threat to the little prince's planet?

Baobabs are a threat because their roots can grow so large that they can split the planet apart if not dealt with in time. The small size of the planet means that an unchecked number of baobabs can overwhelm it and cause it to explode.

How does the little prince suggest people should handle baobabs?

The little prince advises people to tend to their planets every morning, pulling up any baobabs before they can grow large. This requires vigilance and discipline, as the baobabs resemble harmless plants when they are young.

What role do the sheep play in the story of the baobabs?

The sheep are important because they are suggested as a solution to help eat the baobabs, preventing them from growing too large. The little prince is concerned that the sheep might eat the baobabs along with the other plants on his planet.

Why does the little prince laugh when the idea of a herd of elephants is mentioned?

The little prince finds the image of a herd of elephants trying to eat baobabs amusing because it's a ridiculous idea. The baobabs are too large for elephants to consume, and he realizes the absurdity of trying to use such large creatures for the task.

What does the little prince mean when he talks about good and bad plants?

The little prince refers to plants as either good or bad based on the seeds they come from. Good plants are those like flowers or vegetables, which are harmless, while bad plants, like baobabs, must be removed because they can become dangerous if allowed to grow.

How does the narrator feel about assuming a moral tone in the story?

The narrator is reluctant to take on a moralistic tone, but he acknowledges that the danger of baobabs is not widely recognized. He makes an exception in this case to warn children and others about the risk they pose.

Why does the narrator emphasize the importance of pulling up baobabs early?

The narrator stresses that it's crucial to address baobabs early because if they are left to grow, they will become impossible to remove and could destroy the planet. This emphasizes the value of addressing small problems before they become bigger crises.

What is the significance of the drawing of the baobabs in the story?

The drawing of the baobabs is meant to visually communicate the lesson about the importance of preventing small problems from growing into large ones. The narrator hopes it will help children recognize the danger of baobabs and the importance of vigilance in maintaining their planets.

Why does the narrator mention a lazy man who neglected his baobabs?

The lazy man is an example of someone who ignored the need to address the baobabs early. This serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating the consequences of neglect and inaction. The lazy man’s planet was overtaken by baobabs because he failed to tend to them in time.