So I lived my life alone, without anyone that I could really talk to, until I hadan accident with my plane in the Desert of Sahara, six years ago. Somethingwas broken in my engine. And as I had with me neither a mechanic nor anypassengers, I set myself to attempt the difficult repairs all alone. It was aquestion of life or death for me: I had scarcely enough drinking water to lastaweek

The first night, then, I went to sleep on the sand, a thousand miles from anyhuman habitation. I was more isolated than a shipwrecked sailor on a raft inthe middle of the ocean. Thus you can imagine my amazement, at sunrise,when I was awakened by an odd little voice. It said:

"If you please-- draw me a sheep!"

"What!"

"Draw me a sheep!"

I jumped to my feet, completely thunderstruck. I blinked my eyes hard. Ilooked carefully all around me. And I saw a most extraordinary small person,who stood there examining me with great seriousness. Here you may seethe best portrait that, later, I was able to make of him. But my drawing iscertainly very much less charming than its model.