小王子 第33期:命令就是命令

The fifth planet was very strange.

第五顆行星非常奇怪，

It was the smallest of all.

是這些星星中最小的一顆。

There was just enough room on it for a street lamp and a lamplighter.

行星上剛好能容得下一盞路燈和一個點路燈的人。

The little prince was not able to reach any explanation of the use of a street lamp and a lamplighter,

小王子怎么也解釋不通,要一盞路燈和一個點燈的人做什么用,

somewhere in the heavens, on a planet which had no people, and not one house.

這個坐落在天空某一角落，既沒有房屋又沒有居民的行星上。

But he said to himself, nevertheless, It may well be that this man is absurd.

但他自己猜想，可能這個人思想不正常。

But he is not so absurd as the king,the conceited man, the businessman, and the tippler.

但他比起國王，比起那個愛虛榮的人，那個實業(yè)家和酒鬼，卻要好些。

For at least his work has some meaning.

至少他的工作還有點意義。

When he lights his street lamp, it is as if he brought one more star to life, or one flower.

當他點著了他的路燈時，就象他增添了一顆星星，或是一朵花。

When he puts out his lamp, he sends the flower, or the star, to sleep.

當他熄滅了路燈時，就象讓星星或花朵睡著了似的。

That is a beautiful occupation. And since it is beautiful, it is truly useful.

這差事真美妙，就是真正有用的了。

When he arrived on the planet he respectfully saluted the lamplighter.

小王子一到了這個行星上，就很尊敬地向點路燈的人打招呼.

Good morning. Why have you just put out your lamp?

早上好。你剛才為什么把路燈滅了呢?

"Those are the orders," replied the lamplighter. "Good morning."

“早上好。這是命令。”點燈的回答道。

What are the orders?

命令是什么?

The orders are that I put out my lamp. Good evening.

就是熄掉我的路燈。晚上好。

And he lighted his lamp again.

于是他又點燃了路燈。

But why have you just lighted it again?

那么為什么你又把它點著了呢?

"Those are the orders," replied the lamp lighter.

“這是命令。”點燈的人回答道。

"I do not understand," said the little prince.

“我不明白。”小王子說。

"There is nothing to understand," said the lamplighter."Orders are orders. Good morning."

“沒什么要明白的。命令就是命令。”點燈的回答說。“早上好。”

And he put out his lamp.

于是他又熄滅了路燈。