CHAPTER 12

The next planet was inhabited by a drunkard. This visit was a very brief
one, but it plunged the little prince into a deep depression.
"What are you doing there?" he asked the drunkard, whom he found sunk
in silence before a collection of empty bottles and a collection of full ones.
"Drinking," replied the drunkard, with a gloomy expression.
"Why are you drinking?" the little prince asked.
"To forget," replied the drunkard.
"To forget what?" inquired the little prince, who was already feeling sorry
for him.
"To forget that I'm ashamed," confessed the drunkard, hanging his head.
"What are you ashamed of?" inquired the little prince, who wanted to help.
"Of drinking!" concluded the drunkard, withdrawing into silence for good.
And the little prince went on his way, puzzled.
"Grown-ups are certainly very, very strange," he said to himself as he
continued on his journey.