Antoine de St. Exupéry was a famous French author. He was also a fighter pilot who fought in the Spanish Civil War against the fascists, before dying in WWII while fighting Nazi Germany.
He had a heartbreaking but no less fascinating encounter as a prisoner of war. He was captured by his fascist enemies and thrown into a cell. He was sadly told that he would be executed the next day, a fate that was confirmed by the sight of other POWs being led to a firing squad.
Hearing the gunshots coming from the back of the prison, he was extremely distraught with the fear of imminent and inevitable death. A chain smoker, he fumbled in his pockets for a cigarette, which his trembling hand could barely transport to his trembling lips. But he had no matches!
“Do you have matches?” He called shakily to the jailer, who had so far resolutely refused to meet his eyes.
Shrugging, the jailer walked over to light Antoine’s cigarette, and as he struck a match for his prisoner, their eyes inadvertently met!
AT THAT MOMENT, ANTOINE, FOR NO APPARENT REASON, SMILED!
And in that moment, an indefinable spark of friendship seemed to leap from one soul to the other, and certainly against all his conscious intentions, A COMPLEMENTING SMILE WAS GENERATED ON THE JAILER’S LIPS!
After lighting Antoine’s cigarette, for some inexplicable reason, he seemed rooted to the ground! He continued to smile, maintaining direct eye contact.
Jailer: “Do you have children?”
Antoine: “Yes … yes … I have three.” He replied, fumbling for his family photos.
Jailer: “I have three too.” She produced her own images and continued to talk about her plans for her children’s future.
Antoine: “You are a lucky man. I will never see my own children again. They will grow up without a father.” His eyes filled with tears.
Jailer: (His eyes also fill with tears) “Come with me!” He said abruptly.
And he opened the cell door, leading Antoine out of the prison through a back entrance and through back streets, until they reached the city gates, where he released the hapless prisoner. Without another word, he turned to the village.
ANTONIO DE ST. EXUPERY’S LIFE WAS SAVED BY A SMILE!
Behind the curtains we raise to protect ourselves, our dignity, our social titles, and our status from prying eyes, lies our authentic and real selves. The elaborate facade behind which we hide only serves to isolate and isolate us from each other, and prevent our souls from connecting with each other in a meaningful way. There would be much less hatred, fear or envy if we allowed the NATURAL, UNPLANNED AND UNAFFECTED CONNECTION OF A SIMPLE SMILE TO BRING THE GAP IN OUR LIVES.
Consider this: why do we instinctively smile every time we see a baby? I suggest that we do so because we meet someone who has no defensive barricades and whose smile to us is completely genuine in its sweet innocence.
Here’s my own experience with smiling: I have a pretty funny hobby. I COLLECT PEOPLE! In the same way that some people collect stamps as a hobby. I collect people everywhere: at the airport, in the bank room and even on the street.
Is that how it works. Next time, let’s say, you’re at the gas station. As your fuel attendant prepares to fill your tank, smile broadly and let the smile light up your eyes. At first, you will get a startled reaction, but this will invariably be followed by a response, an attempt to smile, and it is in this magical moment that your two souls have recognized each other from some heavenly past; a past shared by all of God’s creations. Then you can go one step further and say, “Thank you for being here for all of us. You are doing a great job here. Have a great day!”
YOU HAVE MADE YOUR DAY. YOU HAVE MADE YOUR JOB WORTH IT. YOU HAVE GIVEN YOUR VERY NEEDED SELF-ESTEEM! YOU HAVE PICKED UP A FRIEND!
A smile costs nothing but gives much. A smile enriches the person who receives it, without impoverishing the person who gives it. A smile takes only a moment, but its memory can last forever. A smile lights up the home, generates goodwill in business, and is nature’s antidote to trouble. However, it cannot be bought or stolen as it is worthless unless given away.
Some people may be too tired to smile. They may not have more to give either, due to the cares and burdens of their lives. Give them one of yours! Refuse to wear the seemingly universal cloak of negativity and cynicism. Insist on being joyful today, and then convey that encouragement to others with a simple smile.
SMILE! YOU ARE IN CANDID CAMERA!