I have never yet told this story. The companions who met me on my return were well content to see me alive. I was sad, but I told them:"I am tired."

Now my sorrow is comforted a little. That is to say-- not entirely. But I know that he did go back to his planet, because I did not find hisbody at daybreak. It was not such a heavy body... and at night I loveto listen to the stars. It is like five hundred million little bells...

But there is one extraordinary thing... when I drew the muzzle for the little prince, I forgot to add the leather strap to it. He will neverhave been able to fasten it on his sheep. So now I keep wondering: whatis happening on his planet? Perhaps the sheep has eaten the flower...

At one time I say to myself: "Surely not! The little prince shuts his flower under her glass globe every night, and he watches over his sheepvery carefully..." Then I am happy. And there is sweetness in thelaughter of all the stars.

But at another time I say to myself: "At some moment or other one is absent-minded, and that is enough! On some one evening he forgot theglass globe, or the sheep got out, without making any noise, in thenight..." And then the little bells are changed to tears...

Look up at the sky. Ask yourselves: is it yes or no? Has the sheep eaten the flower? And you will see how everything changes...

And no grown-up will ever understand that this is a matter of so much importance!

This is, to me, the loveliest and saddest landscape in the world. It is the same as that on the preceding page, but I have drawn it again toimpress it on your memory. It is here that the little prince appearedon Earth, and disappeared.

Look at it carefully so that you will be sure to recognize it in case you travel some day to the African desert. And, if you should come uponthis spot, please do not hurry on. Wait for a time, exactly under thestar. Then, if a little man appears who laughs, who has golden hair andwho refuses to answer questions, you will know who he is. If thisshould happen, please comfort me. Send me word that he has come back.

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