第二十一章[第1页/共9页]

"It would have been better to come back at the same hour," said the fox. "If, for example, you come at four o'clock in the afternoon, then at three o'clock I shall begin to be happy. I shall feel happier and happier as the hour advances. At four o'clock, I shall already be worrying and jumping about. I shall show you how happy I am! But if you come at just any time, I shall never know at what hour my heart is to be ready to greet you... One must observe the proper rites...""What is a rite" asked the little prince.

“这很成心机。那么，有鸡吗？”

"Just that," said the fox. "To me, you are still nothing more than a little boy who is just like a hundred thousand other little boys. And I have no need of you. And you, on your part, have no need of me. To you, I am nothing more than a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes. But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world...""I am beginning to understand," said the little prince. "There is a flower... I think that she has tamed me...""It is possible," said the fox. "On the Earth one sees all sorts of things.""Oh, but this is not on the Earth!" said the little prince.