“But the animals−−"
"Well, I must endure the presence of two or three caterpillars if I wish to become
acquainted with the butterflies. It seems that they are very beautiful. And if not the
butterflies−− and the caterpillars−− who will call upon me? You will be far
away... as for the large animals−− I am not at all afraid of any of them. I have my
claws."
And, naïvely, she showed her four thorns. Then she added:
"Don't linger like this. You have decided to go away. Now go!"
For she did not want him to see her crying. She was such a proud flower...”
―
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry,
The Little Prince