Chapter 25

           Thelittleprincesaid,"Peoplestartoutinexpresstrains,buttheynolongerknowwhatthey’relookingfor. Thentheygetallexcitedandrusharoundincircles..." Andheadded, "It’snotworththetrouble..." 

           ThewellwehadcometowasnotatalllikethewellsoftheSahara. ThewellsoftheSaharaarenomorethanholesduginthesand. Thisonelookedmorelikeavillagewell. Buttherewasnovillagehere,andIthoughtIwasdreaming. 

           "It’sstrange,"Isaidtothelittleprince,"everythingisready: thepulley,thebucket,andtherope..." 

           Helaughed,graspedtherope,andsetthepulleyworking. Andthepulleygroanedthewayanoldweathervanegroanswhenthewindhasbeenasleepalongtime. 

           "Hearthat? "saidthelittleprince. "We’veawakenedthiswellandit’ssinging." 

           Ididn’twanthimtotirehimselfout. "Letmedothat,"Isaidtohim. "It’stooheavyforyou." 

           SlowlyIhoistedthebuckettotheedgeofthewell.Isetitdownwithgreatcare. Thesongofthepulleycontinuedinmyears,andIsawthesunglistenonthestill-tremblingwater. 

           "I’mthirstyforthatwater,"saidthelittleprince. "Letmedrinksome..." 

           AndIunderstoodwhathe’dbeenlookingfor! 

           Iraisedthebuckettohislips. Hedrank,eyesclosed. Itwasassweetasafeast. Thatwaterwasmorethanmerelyadrink.