Chapter 12
The next planet was inhabited by a tippler. This was a very short visit,
but it plunged the little prince into deep dejection.
"What are you doing there?" he said to the tippler, whom he found
settled down in silence before a collection of empty bottles and also a
collection of full bottles.
"I am drinking," replied the tippler, with a lugubrious air.
"Why are you drinking?" demanded the little prince.
"So that I may forget," replied the tippler.
"Forget what?" inquired the little prince, who already was sorry
for him.
"Forget that I am ashamed," the tippler confessed, hanging his head.
"Ashamed of what?" insisted the little prince, who wanted to help
him.
"Ashamed of drinking!" The tipler brought his speech to an end,
and shut himself up in an impregnable silence.
And the little prince went away, puzzled.
"The grown-ups are certainly very, very odd," he said to himself,
as he continued on his journey.
To Main
Page To Table of Contents
Next Chapter Previous
Chapter
|
