Little Prince — Chapter 14

　　"Good morning. Why have you just put out your lamp?"

　　"Those are the orders," replied the lamplighter. "Good morning."

　　"What are the orders?"

　　"The orders are that I put out my lamp. Good evening."

　　And he lighted his lamp again.

　　"But why have you just lighted it again?"

　　"Those are the orders," replied the lamplighter.

　　"I do not understand," said the little prince.

　　"There is nothing to understand," said the lamplighter. "Orders are orders. Good morning."

　　And he put out his lamp.

　　Then he mopped his forehead with a handkerchief decorated with red squares.

　　"I follow a terrible profession. In the old days it was reasonable. I put the lamp out in the morning, and in the evening I lighted it again. I had the rest of the day for relaxation and the rest of the night for sleep."

　　"And the orders have been changed since that time?"

　　"The orders have not been changed," said the lamplighter. "That is the tragedy! From year to year the planet has turned more rapidly and the orders have not been changed!"

　　"Then what?" asked the little prince.

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