🔊 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.

The next planet had a drinker living on it. This visit was very short, but it made the little prince very sad. "What are you doing here?" he asked the drinker, who was sitting quietly in front of many empty bottles and many full bottles. "I am drinking," replied the drinker with a sad look. "Why are you drinking?" asked the little prince. "So I can forget," replied the drinker. "Forget what?" asked the little prince, who felt sorry for him. "Forget that I am ashamed," the drinker admitted, lowering his head. "Ashamed of what?" the little prince insisted, wanting to help him. "Ashamed of drinking!" The drinker finished speaking and fell into a complete silence. The little prince left, confused. "Grown-ups are really very strange," he thought to himself as he went on his way.

🔊

inhabited /ɪnˈhæbɪtɪd/

v. to live in a place; to occupy➕

🔊

tippler /ˈtɪplər/

n. a person who drinks alcohol regularly but in small amounts➕

🔊

plunged /plʌndʒd/

v. to cause someone or something to enter a particular state or condition, especially a difficult or unpleasant one, suddenly➕

🔊

dejection /dɪˈdʒekʃn/

n. a sad and depressed state; low spirits➕

🔊

lugubrious /ləˈɡuːbriəs/

adj. looking or sounding sad and dismal➕

🔊

impregnable /ɪmˈpreɡnəbl/

adj. unable to be captured or broken into; impossible to overcome or refute➕

Chapter twelve