The document describes a man's experience planting books around his city on the Day of Compassion. He chose to distribute copies of The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry because it is an enjoyable book that has profound messages. He left books in various public places and only two people messaged him photos as requested. The man believes giving books is an important act of compassion because stories have value in educating people and fostering understanding in a way that lasts.

1. PUEBLA DE LOS ÁNGELES. MÉXICO 2014
D I A D E L A C O M P A S I Ó N
PLANTING BOOKS
I did it!!!
It took me a while to decide which would be the project, but after consulting with my wife and my pillow, I FINALLY DECIDED. . Actually, once decided, I realized that I had taken too long to choose between my (real) options… it was really obvious. (Yes, CONFIRMATION BIAS). I was going to (had to ... with no doubt, not even choice): Plant books.
What? What does it mean Plant books?
The idea is that I have to "release" (leave) a book in a public space (street, supermarket, coffee shop, public transportation, phone booth, etc.) with just a few instructions and a short message about the Day of Compassion. Without any care about who would be the ultimate consignee.
This means that the person who finds the "released book" receives it as a gift from the Universe, with no commitment or obligation to anyone, because in fact "no one gave it to you, you found it, the book found you”.
(Well, I must confess that I had to include a small request. But just because of the statement. I asked that “once the book has found you, please send me a message using whatsapp with a picture of you with the book”)
(Getting ahead of the results, I have to say something else ... only two people sent me that message)
Well, the first thing I had to do was choose the book that I wanted to plant. And in that area I didn’t have many doubts. I just had to think of a book that was easy to acquire and one that I really have enjoyed to read. . At some point it occurred to me that I should give books of my personal library, however my reading tastes are not usually popular. For me it has always been difficult to give or recommend books to my friends and family.
With one exception:
The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince) written by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

2. PUEBLA DE LOS ÁNGELES. MÉXICO 2014
D I A D E L A C O M P A S I Ó N
A book that is always welcome, because it is easy to read, entertaining and profound at the same time. In one word it’s PHENOMENAL!!!!
Of course I know that this is not an original idea. There are hundreds of Book released campaigns around the world. In fact I have been involved in several of these campaigns, planting one or two books each time. But this time was different, I really wanted to release a book that I really enjoyed (and no books that left over me - this is a belated confession). And no one has made me enjoy as much as The Little Prince of Saint-Exupéry. I have read it so many times since I was little child, until a few months ago when I read it again.
So, I bought 20 books.
Then I wrote a little note on each book about the Day of Compassion and about what this gift means to me.
And then, well, I just… started to walk…

3. PUEBLA DE LOS ÁNGELES. MÉXICO 2014
D I A D E L A C O M P A S I Ó N
The first book I left was in a little bus station. . It was the most difficult. . Mainly because was hard for me to get rid of him. . I seated next to him (next to the little prince) for about 20 minutes. No one came close, neither to me nor to the book. Soon I realized that I should leave him alone. So I said goodbye. And slowly went away. Gosh!!! It shouldn’t be that difficult!!!
I was angry, forced to turn to see the bus station several times. And in the opposite corner, I left the next book, took the photo and walked away from there, still annoying.
Then, I don’t know why, a few steps away, I realize that, in any case, that was the fate for those 20 stories. They were printed, then distributed, then displayed on those libraries, later were purchased by me, with one single goal: Being part of my Day of Compassion-Project. That was our destiny.
I saw my little princes and I knew there was no other possible outcome. I kept walking, very happy with my 18 books under my arms, looking for that: the perfect place to fulfill our destiny.

4. PUEBLA DE LOS ÁNGELES. MÉXICO 2014
D I A D E L A C O M P A S I Ó N
And, as everybody knows, the perfect place is always related with a telephone
And to a chair of non-presented government office receptionist
And in an abandoned building
And this is kind of poetic.
These two guys found the book a few seconds after I planted in a tree. (In fact, I released in front of them so…) although they saw me suspiciously, they allowed to be photographed.

5. PUEBLA DE LOS ÁNGELES. MÉXICO 2014
D I A D E L A C O M P A S I Ó N
In that park I plant 3 books.
And this nice couple found this one.
And then I left one in the church next to th e park

6. PUEBLA DE LOS ÁNGELES. MÉXICO 2014
D I A D E L A C O M P A S I Ó N
I left another book in the stairs of a building
And, these beautiful ladies stayed with two of my books, cause they saw me releasing them.
And so on…
and so on… and so on…
At this point, I want to show you the two gorgeous photos that I received in my cell phone. They were the only two people who sent me the picture and I’m very proud of these two images.
I am truly grateful. Feel honored and blessed when I see this.

7. PUEBLA DE LOS ÁNGELES. MÉXICO 2014
D I A D E L A C O M P A S I Ó N
About My Experience
Why give books instead of giving, for example, food, blankets, toys, companionship or smiles?
Because it is essential. The stories stays forever. . Because the capacity of a compassionate society (any society) is defined by the ability of providing its citizens the complex, structured and magical tool of language.
The language allows us to communicate with others, understand each other, solve conflicts, create, make great projects. In short, makes us human.
I am a psychotherapist and, again and again, I note that psychotherapy is an opportunity to discover that tell "the story of my life" is an art that expands the possibilities of the humans. When we tell a story, the experience it’s transformed, embellished, it becomes sophisticated.
Right now I'm sitting in a coffee shop, and some people sitting at the table beside have spent more than an hour talking about a soccer game. They argue, as friends, on different approaches and explanations. And the question is: Why do they talk? What is the need to create and recreate the story of an event that cannot be influenced? Why we talk about the stories of what we already live?
The answer: Because speaking is understanding. We talk and discuss to provide a meaning, a sense of what we are living. The story told is what makes the experience transcendent.
That is why the words are important, It’s therefore important that people get stories.
In this sense, the role of culture (any culture) is to nurture and protect citizens. And an important part of this is to nurture with words (to express, to ask, to offer) and protect with stories (to explain themselves, to understand others, to learn more).
It is no coincidence that we all remember the story of Pinocchio or the Little Red Riding Hood even if we do not understand or remember clearly the moral message. A child learns more about lying when he hears the story of a wooden boy – his nose grows for lying - instead of listening to an explicit rule: you must not lie. Because the stories are never forgotten, the rules (without context) are harder to remember. All parents know that one of the most compassionate acts we can provide to our children is to tell a story at bedtime or sing a parable made song.

8. PUEBLA DE LOS ÁNGELES. MÉXICO 2014
D I A D E L A C O M P A S I Ó N
The Little Prince is one of those beautiful stories. A story of a child who doesn’t understand (non child does) the absurd world of adults. Although the story of the little prince is not unique and probably not the best (the Bible, the Koran, the Vedas and the Sutras are full of beautiful stories and messages), it is a gift that, when you read it, shares with you an experience of expansion and lighting. We accompany the Prince on a journey that illuminates him, darkens him, unfolds him, he dance and fall, sing and shout, cries and laugh. He penetrates through repeated experiences of joy and tears, pleasure and pain, connection and loss, abandonment and union, birth and death. A description - poetic, playful, fanciful - of human experience. An opportunity to understand ourselves.
I'm not naive, not all people enjoy reading. And the monetary benefits of a good education are undeniable. The heritage of the words empowers those who know how to use them (and some of you may expose environmental issues). However I believe - desperately - that the value of a book has little to do with social or commercial utility (we not just read to know or to be better), but has an intrinsic value because it is a huge gift, for everyone, of more words to educate ourselves.
I believe more firmly now, there is no more compassionate act that give a book as a gift.
Thank you very much for being here. I inherently include the components of social psychology class. I hope you have notice them. It has been an honor to share this experience.
P.D. I still have 3 books in my car. I am going to give them to the street children. Readers and books will found.