Why does the narrator say that adults lack imagination in The Little Prince?

In The Little Prince, the narrator characterizes adults as lacking imagination because they are often narrow-minded and preoccupied with functions, figures, and superficial concerns rather than the essential truths of life.1

Throughout the fable, the prince encounters various grown-ups on different asteroids who have been reduced to singular roles—such as a king seeking obedience, a conceited man craving flattery, or a businessman obsessed with counting stars. These characters demonstrate a rigid, utilitarian perspective that prevents them from seeing beyond the surface of things.1

In contrast, the narrator suggests that children possess a natural wisdom, open-mindedness, and willingness to explore that adults lose as they age. This critique highlights the book's central theme, as expressed by the fox: "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly: what is essential is invisible to the eye." By focusing on these "invisible" essentials, the story serves as a gentle reminder that the most meaningful aspects of existence are often the simplest.12