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Why does the geographer refuse to record flowers in The Little Prince?

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French postage stamp featuring an illustration of the Little Prince in a blue and red coat, with text reading Le Petit Prince and Republique Francaise, and a value of 3,00. — The Little Prince *Le Petit Prince* (*The Little Prince*) pictured on a French stamp, circa 1998.

In the fable The Little Prince, the geographer refuses to record the prince's flower because he considers it to be ephemeral.1

The geographer’s role is to record only things that are permanent and unchanging, such as mountains or oceans. Because flowers are temporary and will eventually fade away, he deems them unworthy of being documented in his records. This interaction highlights the geographer's narrow, functional perspective, contrasting with the prince's appreciation for the unique and personal value of his flower.1