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 tippler 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.

Appendix

小王子来到了一个酒鬼居住的星球。

小王子问，你在干什么？酒鬼回答，我在喝酒。

小王子问，你为什么要喝酒？酒鬼回答，为了忘记愧疚的情绪。

小王子问，愧疚什么？

酒鬼回答，愧疚我又喝酒了。

“大人们真的是非常，非常奇怪。”