| lpp_1943.715 |
English |
" How is it possible for one to own the stars ? " |
| lpp_1943.716 |
English |
" To whom do they belong ? " the businessman retorted , peevishly . |
| lpp_1943.717 |
English |
" I do n't know . |
| lpp_1943.718 |
English |
To nobody . " |
| lpp_1943.719 |
English |
" Then they belong to me , because I was the first person to think of it . " |
| lpp_1943.720 |
English |
" Is that all that is necessary ? " |
| lpp_1943.721 |
English |
" Certainly . |
| lpp_1943.722 |
English |
When you find a diamond that belongs to nobody , it is yours . |
| lpp_1943.723 |
English |
When you discover an island that belongs to nobody , it is yours . |
| lpp_1943.724 |
English |
When you get an idea before any one else , you take out a patent on it : it is yours . |
| lpp_1943.725 |
English |
So with me : I own the stars , because nobody else before me ever thought of owning them . " |
| lpp_1943.726 |
English |
" Yes , that is true , " said the little prince . |
| lpp_1943.727 |
English |
" And what do you do with them ? " |
| lpp_1943.728 |
English |
" I administer them , " replied the businessman . |
| lpp_1943.729 |
English |
" I count them and recount them . |
| lpp_1943.730 |
English |
It is difficult . |
| lpp_1943.731 |
English |
But I am a man who is naturally interested in matters of consequence . " |
| lpp_1943.732 |
English |
The little prince was still not satisfied . |
| lpp_1943.733 |
English |
" If I owned a silk scarf , " he said , " I could put it around my neck and take it away with me . |
| lpp_1943.734 |
English |
If I owned a flower , I could pluck that flower and take it away with me . |
| lpp_1943.735 |
English |
But you can not pluck the stars from heaven ... " |
| lpp_1943.736 |
English |
" No . |
| lpp_1943.737 |
English |
But I can put them in the bank . " |
| lpp_1943.738 |
English |
" Whatever does that mean ? " |
| lpp_1943.739 |
English |
" That means that I write the number of my stars on a little paper . |