第四章[第1頁/共7頁]

Chapter 4

他們就是如許的。必然不要因為如許去進犯他們，小孩子們對大人們應當刻薄些。

就像如許，如果你對他們說：“小王子存在的證據就是他非常標緻，他笑著，想要一隻羊。如果有人想要一隻綿羊，那就是他存在的證明。”如許奉告他們的成果是甚麼呢？他們必然會聳聳肩膀，不覺得然，把你當作小孩子對待。但是，如果你對他們說“小王子來自的星球就是小行星B-612”，那麼他們就非常佩服，就不會提出一大堆題目來和你膠葛。

Fortunately, however, for the reputation of Asteroid B-612, a Turkish dictator made a law that his subjects, under pain of death, should change to European costume. So in 1920 the astronomer gave his demonstration all over again, dressed with impressive style and elegance. And this time everybody accepted his report.

But if you said to them: "The planet he came from is Asteroid B-612," then they would be convinced, and leave you in peace from their questions.

如果我給你們講關於小行星B-612的這些細節，並且奉告你們它的編號，這是因為這些大人和他們行動體例的原因。大人們喜好數字。當你對他們說你交了一個新朋友時，他們向來不向你提出本色性的題目。他們向來不講：“他說話聲音像甚麼？他最愛好甚麼樣的遊戲？他是否彙集胡蝶標本？”相反，他們會問你：“他多大年紀呀？弟兄幾個呀？體重多少磅呀？他父親掙多少錢呀？”隻要從這些數字資訊，他們才感覺他們體味了他。如果你對大人們說：“我看到一幢用玫瑰色的磚蓋成的標緻的屋子，窗台上擺著天竺葵，屋頂上另有鴿子……”他們冇法對這個屋子有任何感受。如果你如許對他們說：“我瞥見了一幢代價十萬法郎的屋子。”那麼他們就驚叫道：“多麼標緻的屋子啊！”

If I have told you these details about the asteroid, and made a note of its number for you, it is on account of the grown-ups and their ways. When you tell them that you have made a new friend, they never ask you any questions about essential matters.