Chapter 12
The next planet was inhabited by a drunkard. This visit was a very short one, but it affected the little prince with deep sadness.
'What are you doing here? ' he said to the drunkard whom he found sitting silently in front of a collection of bottles, some empty and some full.
'I am drinking. ' answered the drunkard lugubriously.
'Why are you drinking? ' the little prince asked.
'In order to forget. ' replied the drunkard.
'To forget what? ' enquired the little prince, who was already feeling sorry for him.
'To forget that I am ashamed. ' the drunkard confessed, hanging his head.
'Ashamed of what? ' asked the little prince who wanted to help him.
'Ashamed of drinking! ' concluded the drunkard, withdrawing into total silence.
And the little prince went away, puzzled.
'Grown-ups really are very, very odd. ' he said to himself as he continued his journey.
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