the little prince 王子
The fifth planet was very strange.
It was the smallest of all. There was just enough room on it for a street lamp and a lamplighter. The little prince was not able to reach any explanation of the use of a street lamp and a lamplighter somewhere in the heavens on a planet which had no people and not one house. But he said to himself nevertheless:
It may well be that this man is absurd. But he is not so absurd as the kingthe conceited manthe businessmanand the tippler. For at least his work has some meaning. When he lights his street lamp it is as if he brought one more star to lifeor one flower. From hxw.red.
When he puts out his lamhe sends the floweror the starto sleep. That is a beautiful occupation. And since it is beautifulit is truly useful. When he arrived on the planet he respectfully saluted the lamplighter. Good morning. Why have you just put out your lamp?Those are the orders replied the lamplighter. " Good morning."What are the orders?
The orders are that I put out my lamp. Good evening.And he lighted his lamp again. But why have you just lighted it again?Those are the ordersreplied the lamplighter.
I do not understandsaid the little prince.There is nothing to understandsaid the lamplighter. "Orders are orders. Good morning." And he put out his lamp.Then he mopped his forehead with a handkerchief decorated with red squares.