The Little Prince and the Drunkard

The next planet was inhabited by a drunkard. It was a very short visit but it left the little prince in a profound sadness. 

“And what do you do here?” he asked the drunkard quietly sitting among a collection of bottles both empty and full.

“I drink,” answered the drunkard mournfully.

“Why do you drink?” queried the little prince.

“To forget,” replied the drunkard.

“To forget what?” demanded the little prince who found himself feeling sorry for him.

“To forget the shame,” answered the drunkard as he dropped his head.

“Ashamed of what?” responded the little prince now wanting to help him.

“Ashamed of drinking!” retorted the drunkard ending the conversation by a cold silence.

The little prince left the exchange feeling perplexed.

Grown ups are very, very strange he concluded as he continued on his journey.

by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
translation by Michelle Brewer