Chapter IX

Je crois qu’il profita, pour son évasion, d’une migration d’oiseaux sauvages.

I believe that he took advantage of a migration of wild birds for his escape. On the morning of the departure he put his planet in order. He carefully roamed his active volcanoes. He had two active volcanoes. And it was very convenient to warm up the morning breakfast. He also possessed an extinct volcano. But, as he said, "You never know!" He therefore also roamed the extinct volcano. If they are well swept, volcanoes burn gently and regularly, without eruptions. Volcanic eruptions are like chimney fires. Obviously on our land we are much too small to swallow our volcanoes. That's why they're causing us a lot of trouble.

The little prince also snatched, with a little melancholy, the last shoots of baobabs. He thought he would never have to come back. But all these familiar labors appeared to him, that morning, extremely sweet. And when he watered the flower for the last time, and prepared to shelter it under his globe, he discovered the desire to weep.

"Farewell," he said to the flower.

But she did not answer.

"Farewell," he repeated.

The flower coughed. But it was not because of his cold.

"I was a fool," she said at last. I beg your pardon. Strive to be happy. "

He was surprised by the absence of reproaches. He remained there, disconcerted, the globe in the air. He did not understand this quiet sweetness.

"Yes, I love you," said the flower. You did not know, by my fault. It has no importance. But you were as stupid as I was. Task to be happy ... Leave this globe quiet. I do not want it anymore.

- But the wind ...

- I'm not so cold as that ... The cool air of the night will do me good. I'm a flower.

- But the beasts ...

"I must bear two or three caterpillars if I want to know the butterflies." It seems that it is so beautiful. Otherwise who will visit me? You will be far away. As for the big beasts, I fear nothing. I have my claws. "

And she naively showed her four thorns. Then she added:

"Do not drag like that, it's annoying. You decided to leave. Go away. "

For she did not want him to see her crying. It was such a proud flower ...