Chapter 12
The next planet was inhabited by a tippler. This was a very short visit; however, it plunged the little prince into deep dejection.
"Hello there, sir...?" Alfred said. "Ludwig... who are you?" the tippler replied. He noticed he was just settled down with a collection of empty bottles and full ones scattered about.
"I'm Alfred, I was just passing by..." he paused for awhile and said: "If I may ask, what are you doing?"
"I am drinking," Ludwig replied as he took a swig from the bottle he's holding.
"Why are you drinking?" demanded the little prince.
"So that I may forget..." replied the tippler, a gloomy air hung around him.
"Forget what?" inquired the little prince, he felt somewhat sorry for him.
"Forget that I am ashamed." he confessed, hanging his head.
"Ashamed of what?" Alfred wanted to help him.
"Ashamed of drinking!"
"Ashamed of... drinking?"
"Ja..." Ludwig brought his speech to an end, he shut himself up in an impregnable silence. The little prince went away, puzzled.
"Grown-ups are really very, very odd." he said to himself and continued his journey.
