'Goodbye,' he said to the flower.
But she did not answer him.
'Goodbye,' he said again.
The flower coughed. But it was not because she had a cold.
'I've been silly,' she whispered at last. 'Please forgive me. Try to be happy.'
He was surprised by the absence of reproaches. He just stood there, quite bewildered, with the dome poised in mid-air. He did not understand this quiet sweetness.
'Of course, I love you,' the flower said to him. 'If you were not aware of it, it was my fault. That is not important. But u have been just as foolish. Try to be happy... Leave that dome alone. I don't want it any longer.'
'But the wind...'
'My cold is not that bad... The cool night air will do me good. I am a flower.'
'But what about the animals..'
'I shall have to put up with a few caterpillars if i want to see butterflies. I understand they are very beautiful. Otherwise, who will ever call upon me? You will be far away. As to large animals, I am not afraid of them. I have my claws.' And as naive as ever, she showed her four thorns. Then she added: 'Don't hang about so, it's irritating. You have decided to leave, so leave.'
For she didn't want him to see her crying. She was a very proud flower...

The Little Prince ~Antoine de Saint-exupery~