Little Prince — Chapter 21

　　"What is a rite?" asked the little prince.

　　"Those also are actions too often neglected," said the fox. "They are what make one day different from other days, one hour from other hours. There is a rite, for example, among my hunters. Every Thursday they dance with the village girls. So Thursday is a wonderful day for me! I can take a walk as far as the vineyards. But if the hunters danced at just any time, every day would be like every other day, and I should never have any vacation at all."

　　So the little prince tamed the fox. And when the hour of his departure drew near--

　　"Ah," said the fox, "I shall cry."

　　"It is your own fault," said the little prince. "I never wished you any sort of harm; but you wanted me to tame you..."

　　"Yes, that is so," said the fox.

　　"But now you are going to cry!" said the little prince.

　　"Yes, that is so," said the fox.

　　"Then it has done you no good at all!"

　　"It has done me good," said the fox, "because of the color of the wheat fields." And then he added:

　　"Go and look again at the roses. You will understand now that yours is unique in all the world. Then come back to say goodbye to me, and I will make you a present of a secret."

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