Chapter 14

           Thefifthplanetwasverystrange. Itwasthesmallestofall. Therewasjustenoughroomforastreetlampandalamplighter. Thelittleprincecouldn’tquiteunderstand whatuseastreetlampandalamplightercouldbeupthereinthesky,onaplanetwithoutanypeopleandnotasinglehouse. However,hesaidtohimself, "It’squitepossiblethatthismanisabsurd, buthe’slessabsurdthantheking,theveryvainman,thebusinessman,andthedrunkard. Atleasthisworkhassomemeaning. Whenhelightshislamp,it’sasifhe’sbringingonemorestartolife,oronemoreflower. Whenheputsouthislamp,thatsendstheflowerorthestartosleep. Whichisafineoccupation.Andthereforetrulyuseful." 

           Whenthelittleprincereachedthisplanet, hegreetedthelamplighterrespectfully. 

           "Goodmorning.Whyhaveyoujustputoutyourlamp?" 

           "Orders,"thelamplighteranswered."Goodmorning." 

           "Whatordersarethose?" 

           "Toputoutmystreetlamp.Goodevening." 

           Andhelithislampagain. 

           "Butwhyhaveyoujustlityourlampagain?" 

           "Orders." 

           "Idon’tunderstand,"saidthelittleprince. "There’snothingtounderstand,"saidthelamplighter. "Ordersareorders.Goodmorning. "Andheputouthislamp. Thenhewipedhisforeheadwithared-checkedhandkerchief.