第十二章

    小王子所访问的下一个星球上住着一个酒鬼。这次访问时间非常短，可它却让小王子伤感很久。

    “你在干什么？”小王子问酒鬼，这个酒鬼默默地坐在桌边，身旁有一堆酒瓶子，有的装满酒，有的是空的。

    “我在喝酒。”他忧郁地回答，语气有些悲伤。

    “你为什么喝酒？”小王子问道。

    “这样能让我忘却。”酒鬼回答。

    “忘却什么呢？”小王子询问，他已经为这个酒鬼感到难过了。

    酒鬼垂下脑袋坦白道：“为了忘却我的羞愧。”

    “你羞愧什么呢？”小王子刨根问底，他想帮助这个人。

    “我羞愧我喝酒。”酒鬼说完以后就再也不开口了。

    小王子迷惑不解地离开了。

    继续踏上旅途，小王子心里一直在想：“这些大人确实非常奇怪啊。”

    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.