The Little Prince (70)

The Little Prince (70)

  First would come the turn of the lamplighters of New Zealand and Austraria. Having set their lamps alight, these would go off to sleep. Next, the lamplighters of China and Siberia would enter for their steps in the dance, and then they too would be waved back into the wings. After that would come of the turn of the lamplighters of Russia and the Indies ; then those of Africa and Europe ; then those of South America ; then those of North America. And never would they make a mistake in the order of their entry upon the stage. It would be magnificent.

  Only the man who was in charge of the single lamp at the North Pole, and his colleague who was responsible for the single lamp at the South Pole ー only these two would live free from toil and care : they would be busy twice a year.


   XVⅡ

  When one wishes to play wit, he sometimes wanders a little from the truth. I have not been altogether honest in what I have told you about the lamplighters.  

(70)