The Little Prince (52)

The Little Prince (52)

  The businessman raised his head.

  " During the fifty-four years that I have inhabited this planet, I have been disturbed only three times.
  The first time was twenty-two years ago, when some giddy goose fell from goodness knows where. He made the most frightful noise that resounded all over the place, and I made four mistakes in my addition.
  The second time, eleven years ago, I was distracted by an attack of the rheumatism. I don't get enough excercise. I have no time for loafing.
  The third time ー well, this is it ! I was saying, then, five-hundred-and-one millions ー "

  " Millions of what ? "

  The businessman suddenly realized that there was no hope of being left in peace that he answered this question.

  " Millions of those little objects, " he said, " which one sometimes sees in the sky. "

  " Flies ? "

  " Oh, no, Little golden objects that set lazy men to idle dreaming. As for me, I am concerned with matters of consequence. There is no time for idle dreaming in my life. "

  " Ah ! You mean the stars ? "

  " Yes, that's it. The stars. "

(52)