The Little Prince 14【星子】16岁的双语演绎

chapter 14

And I’ve been walking on like that. We found a well, at day break. It is strange: everything is ready - the pulley, the bucket, the rope... We drank, with our eyes closed. It was as sweet as a feast. That water wasn’t merely a drink. It was born out of our walk under the stars, the song of the pulley, and the efforts of my arms. They did the heart good, like a present. I could breathe easily now. Why did I also feel so sad?

“You must keep your promise. You know, a muzzle for my sheep. I’m responsible for this flower.”

I draw a muzzle.

“You know my fall to the earth? Tomorrow will be the first anniversary. I landed very near here.”

“Then it wasn’t by accident that I met you eight days ago? You were returning to the place you fell.”

“You must get to work now - you must get back to your engine. I’ll wait here. Come back tomorrow night.”

But I wasn’t reassured - I remember the fox. You risk tears if you let yourself be tamed.

When I came back from work the next evening, I caught sight of my little prince at distance. He was sitting on top of an old stone wall, legs dangling. And I heard him talking...

“You sure will not make me suffer long?”

I stopped short, my heart pounding - but I, I still didn’t understand.

“Now, go away. I want to get down from here!”

Then I looked down to the foot of the wall and I got a great shock; There coiled in front of the little prince was one of those yellow snakes that can kill you in thirty seconds! As the noise I made, the snake flowed over the sand like a trickling fountain. I reached the wall just in time to catch my little prince in my arms. His face, was white as snow. He put his arms around my neck; I felt his heart beating like a dying bird’s. I have been shocked...

“Little fellow, you were frightened...”

“I’ll be much more frightened tonight. I’m glad you have found the matter with your engine. Now you’ll be able to fly again.”

“But, how did you know?”

“I’m leaving today, too. It’s much further, and it’s much more difficult.”

Once again I felt chilled by something irreparable.

“I have your sheep, and I have a crate for it, and a muzzle...”

“Little fellow, it’s a bad dream isn’t it. All these conversations with snake and a meeting place under the stars...”

“...”

“Everyone eventually is consoled. At night, you will look up at the stars. It’s too small where I live, to show you where my star is. It’s better that way. My star would be one of the stars for you; and when you’re consoled, you’ll be glad to know me. You’ll always be my friend... You will feel like laughing with me, so you like to look at all them. Tonight, don’t come.”

“I won’t, leave you.”