An illlustration from Babar with demons flying about?

November 7, 2011 12:14 AM

Trying to remember an illustration from a children's book. Did you read Babar as a child?

I was just talking with my housemate about Babar, and I remembered seeing a strange illustration that troubled and fascinated me as a kid. I think Babar or another character was feverish (or something) and having an hallucination. There were all sorts of demonic looking creatures flying around his head. I think they were the personifications of various vices; they were all labeled with names like "Idleness," etc.

Am I imagining this? Please let me know if you remember this.

posted by duvatney to Media & Arts (5 answers total)

Best answer: Found it!
posted by coffeepot at 12:38 AM on November 7, 2011

Best answer: Here it is.

From Babar the King.

And on preview, I am beaten to it.
posted by St. Sorryass at 12:39 AM on November 7, 2011

Response by poster: Thanks, guys! I am going to look for the pic where the demons are plaguing Babar now. :)
posted by duvatney at 12:57 AM on November 7, 2011

I have this illustration sitting in front of me.

"...graceful winged elephants
who chase Misfortune
away from Celesteville
and bring back
Happiness. --
At this point he awakes
and feels ever so much better."

The Misfortunes are:
Misfortune
Anger
Stupidity
Despair
Indolence
Sickness
Discouragement
Fear
Ignorance
Cowardice
Laziness

The graceful winged elephants are:
Goodness
Intelligence
Hope
Love
Health
Work
Happiness
Joy
Learning
Patience
Perseverance
Courage
posted by MonkeyToes at 4:54 AM on November 7, 2011

I encountered it in Edward Tufte's book Visual Explanations. (Which is a classic in its own right.)
posted by Bruce H. at 8:57 PM on November 7, 2011