I ask the indulgence of the children who may read this book for dedicating it to a grown-up. I have a serious reason: he is the best friend I have in the world. I have another reason: this grown-up understands everything, even books about children. I have a third reason: he lives in France where he is hungry and cold. He needs cheering up. If all these reasons are not enough, I will dedicate the book to the child from whom this grown-up grew. All grown-ups were once children— although few of them remember it. And so I correct my dedication:
To Leon Werth
When he was a little boy
我恳求那些喜欢这本书的孩子们把这本书献给大人们，一个重要的原因是:他们是我在这个世界上最好的朋友。另一个原因是:他们能理解任何事，即便这书是写给孩子的。最后一个原因是:他们在法国过着饥寒交迫的日子，他们需要一丝丝温情。如果这所有理由仍然无法说服你们，我愿将这本书献给那些曾是孩子的大人们。所有的大人曾经也是孩子，尽管大人们很少能回忆起曾经的自己我纠正下我的献词:
献给里昂∙沃斯:
当他还是个小男孩时。
