"What does that mean-- 'tame'?"

"It is an act too often neglected," said the fox.  It means to establish ties."  

"'To establish ties'?"  

"Just that," said the fox.  "To me, you are still nothing more than a little boy who is just like a hundred thousand other little boys.  And I have no need of you.  And you, on your part, have no need of me.  To you, I am nothing more than a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes.  But if you tame me, then we shall need each other.  To me, you will be unique in all the world.  To you, I shall be unique in all the world..."

This is one of my favourite parts of the book (I only read the English version since I don't know French, so I feel like I might be missing out on the full authentic experience of reading the book, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless). As someone who sometimes feels totally worthless and questions their personal value to others and their place in society, it hit me in an unexpected way and helped change my perspective about one's purpose or worth as a human being. Without being "tamed," without having any close, meaningful relationships and connections with other humans we would just be strays among millions of other forgotten lost strays, wandering endlessly on this lonely planet without a true purpose in life. It made me think that even though I'm not a unique person and my existence is not valuable to the world in the grand scheme of things, I am special in this lifetime because I'm fortunate enough to be "tamed" and loved by other people (and I am at least unique to them), because I truly matter to the people who have tamed me (and whom I have tamed). It feels so weird to use "tame" in this context, but this book gave a whole new meaning to the word.

That's one of the things I love most about children's books (and movies), they can be so simple and straightforward yet thought-provoking and moving in the most beautiful way, and they have a special way of showing the beauty in the simple things in life.