Antoine de St. Exupery was a famous French author. He was also a fighter pilot who fought in the Spanish Civil War against the fascists, before he was killed in the Second World War whilst fighting against Nazi Germany.
He had a harrowing, but no less fascinating encounter as a Prisoner of War. He was captured by his fascist enemies and thrown into a cell. He was grimly told he would be executed the next day, a fate that was confirmed by the sight of other POWs being led out to a firing squad.
At the sound of gunshots coming from the back of the prison, he became extremely distraught with the fear of impending and inevitable death. A chain smoker, he fumbled in his pockets for a cigarette, which his trembling hand could barely transport to his quivering lips. But he had no matches!
"Have you got matches?" He tremulously called out to the jailer, who had hitherto resolutely refused to make eye contact with him.
Shrugging, the jailer came over to light Antoine's cigarette, and as he lit a match for his prisoner, their eyes inadvertently locked!
AT THAT MOMENT, ANTOINE, FOR NO APPARENT REASON, SMILED!
And in that moment, some indefinable spark of amity seemed to jump from one soul to the other, and most certainly against his every conscious intention, A COMPLIMENTARY SMILE WAS GENERATED ON THE JAILER'S LIPS!
Having lit Antoine's cigarette, for some inexplicable reason, he appeared rooted to the spot! 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 pictures.
Jailer: "I, too, have three." He produced his own pictures, and went on to talk about his plans for his children's future.
Antoine: "You are a lucky man. I will never see my own kids again. They will grow up without a father." His eyes filled with tears.
Jailer: (His eyes filling with tears too) "Come with me!" He said abruptly.
And he unlocked 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 back toward the town.
ANTOINE DE ST. EXUPERY'S LIFE WAS SAVED BY A SMILE!
Behind the curtains which we put up to shield ourselves, our dignity, our social titles and our status from prying eyes, lie our authentic and real selves. The elaborate façade behind which we hide only serves to isolate and insulate us from each other, and prevent our souls from connecting with each other in a meaningful way. There would be much less hate, fear or envy if only we would allow the UNPLANNED, UNAFFECTED AND NATURAL CONNECTION OF A SIMPLE SMILE TO BRIDGE THE GAP IN OUR LIVES.
Consider this: why do we instinctively smile whenever we see a baby? I suggest that we do so because we are meeting someone who has no defensive barricades, and whose smile for us is fully genuine in its sweet innocence.
Here is my own experience with the smile: I have a rather curious hobby. I COLLECT PEOPLE! Much in the same manner that that some people collect stamps as a hobby. I collect people everywhere-the airport, the banking hall, and even on the street!
The Magic of a Smile - Must Watch by arynews
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7118699
He had a harrowing, but no less fascinating encounter as a Prisoner of War. He was captured by his fascist enemies and thrown into a cell. He was grimly told he would be executed the next day, a fate that was confirmed by the sight of other POWs being led out to a firing squad.
At the sound of gunshots coming from the back of the prison, he became extremely distraught with the fear of impending and inevitable death. A chain smoker, he fumbled in his pockets for a cigarette, which his trembling hand could barely transport to his quivering lips. But he had no matches!
"Have you got matches?" He tremulously called out to the jailer, who had hitherto resolutely refused to make eye contact with him.
Shrugging, the jailer came over to light Antoine's cigarette, and as he lit a match for his prisoner, their eyes inadvertently locked!
AT THAT MOMENT, ANTOINE, FOR NO APPARENT REASON, SMILED!
And in that moment, some indefinable spark of amity seemed to jump from one soul to the other, and most certainly against his every conscious intention, A COMPLIMENTARY SMILE WAS GENERATED ON THE JAILER'S LIPS!
Having lit Antoine's cigarette, for some inexplicable reason, he appeared rooted to the spot! 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 pictures.
Jailer: "I, too, have three." He produced his own pictures, and went on to talk about his plans for his children's future.
Antoine: "You are a lucky man. I will never see my own kids again. They will grow up without a father." His eyes filled with tears.
Jailer: (His eyes filling with tears too) "Come with me!" He said abruptly.
And he unlocked 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 back toward the town.
ANTOINE DE ST. EXUPERY'S LIFE WAS SAVED BY A SMILE!
Behind the curtains which we put up to shield ourselves, our dignity, our social titles and our status from prying eyes, lie our authentic and real selves. The elaborate façade behind which we hide only serves to isolate and insulate us from each other, and prevent our souls from connecting with each other in a meaningful way. There would be much less hate, fear or envy if only we would allow the UNPLANNED, UNAFFECTED AND NATURAL CONNECTION OF A SIMPLE SMILE TO BRIDGE THE GAP IN OUR LIVES.
Consider this: why do we instinctively smile whenever we see a baby? I suggest that we do so because we are meeting someone who has no defensive barricades, and whose smile for us is fully genuine in its sweet innocence.
Here is my own experience with the smile: I have a rather curious hobby. I COLLECT PEOPLE! Much in the same manner that that some people collect stamps as a hobby. I collect people everywhere-the airport, the banking hall, and even on the street!
The Magic of a Smile - Must Watch by arynews
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7118699
