原文：
I had thus learned a second fact of great importance: this was that the planet the little prince came from was scarcely any larger than a house!
But that did not really surprise me much. I knew very well that in addition to the great planets—such as the Earth, Jupiter, Mars, Venus—to which we have given names, there are also hundreds of others, some of which are so small that one has a hard time seeing them through the telescope. When an astronomer discovers one of these he does not give it a name, but only a number. He might call it, for example, “Asteroid 325.”
I have serious reason to believe that the planet from which the little prince came is the asteroid known as B-612.
This asteroid has only once been seen through the telescope. That was by a Turkish astronomer, in 1909.
On making his discovery, the astronomer had presented it to the International Astronomical Congress, in a great demonstration. But he was in Turkish costume, and so nobody would believe what he said.Grown-ups are like that ...
Fortunately, however, for the reputation of Asteroid B-612, a Turkish dictator made a law that his subjects, under pain of death, should change to European costume. So in 1920 the astronomer gave his demonstration all over again, dressed with impressive style and elegance. And this time everybody accepted his report.
If I have told you these details about the asteroid, and made a note of its number for you, it is on account of the grown-ups and their ways. When you tell them that you have made a new friend, they never ask you any questions about essential matters. They never say to you,“What does his voice sound like? What games does he love best? Does he collect butterflies? ” Instead, they demand: “How old is he? How many brothers has he? How much does he weigh? How much money does his father make? ”
Only from these figures do they think they have learned anything about him.
If you were to say to the grown-ups: “I saw a beautiful house made of rosy brick, with geraniums in the windows and doves on the roof, ” they would not be able to get any idea of that house at all. You would have to say to them: “I saw a house that cost $20,000.”Then they would exclaim: “Oh, what a pretty house that is! ”
Just so, you might say to them: “The proof that the little prince existed is that he was charming, that he laughed, and that he was looking for a sheep. If anybody wants a sheep,that is a proof that he exists.” And what good would it do to tell them that? They would shrug their shoulders, and treat you like a child. But if you said to them: “The planet he came from is Asteroid B-612, ” then they would be convinced, and leave you in peace from their questions.
They are like that. One must not hold it against them. Children should always show great forbearance toward grown-up people.
But certainly, for us who understand life, figures are a matter of indifference. I should have liked to begin this story in the fashion of the fairy-tales. I should have like to say: “Once upon a time there was a little prince who lived on a planet that was scarcely any bigger than himself, and who had need of a sheep ...”
To those who understand life, that would have given a much greater air of truth to my story.
For I do not want any one to read my book carelessly. I have suffered too much grief in setting down these memories. Six years have already passed since my friend went away from me, with his sheep. If I try to describe him here, it is to make sure that I shall not forget him. To forget a friend is sad. Not every one has had a friend. And if I forget him, I may become like the grown-ups who are no longer interested in anything but figures ...
It is for that purpose, again, that I have bought a box of paints and some pencils. It is hard to take up drawing again at my age, when I have never made any pictures except those of the boa constrictor from the outside and the boa constrictor from the inside, since I was six.I shall certainly try to make my portraits as true to life as possible. But I am not at all sure of success. One drawing goes along all right, and another has no resemblance to its subject. I make some errors, too, in the little prince's height: in one place he is too tall and in another too short. And I feel some doubts about the color of his costume. So I fumble along as best I can, now good, now bad, and I hope generally fair-to-middling.
In certain more important details I shall make mistakes, also. But that is something that will not be my fault. My friend never explained anything to me. He thought, perhaps, that I was like himself. But I, alas, do not know how to see sheep through the walls of boxes. Perhaps I am a little like the grown-ups. I have had to grow old.
这样我就了解到第二个重要的事情：小王子来自一个还没房子大的星球！
但这并没让我很震惊。我清楚地知道除了我们已经命名的比较大的行星，除了像地球，木星，火星，金星这些取了名字的大星球，还有成千上百的其他星球，，它们有时候非常非常小，用望眼镜都不大看得见。当一个天文学家发现了其中的一个，他不会给它起名字，而是用号码来标记它，比如“小行星3251号”。
我有充分足够的理由相信小王子是来自已经知名的 B-612 小行星。
这个小行星通过望眼镜仅仅被看到过一次，是被土耳其天文学家在1909发现的。
他一发现，就向国际天文国会提起报告，并充分论证。但因为他穿的是土耳其胡服装，并没有人相信他说的。
大人总是如此....
幸运的是，一个土耳其独裁者向他的统治市民下令，改穿欧洲的服装，不然将被处死，这一下总算保全了小行星 B-612 的名声总算保全了。在1920，这天文学家穿着非常体面的服装重新从头到尾给出了论证。这次所有的人都接受了他的报告。
如果我已经告诉了你这个关于小行星的细节和记下它的号码，是由于大人的的方式。当你告诉他们你结识了一个新朋友，他们从不会问你一些本质的问题。他们不会对你说：“他的声音听起来如何？他最喜欢什么游戏？他收集蝴蝶吗？”
他们询问的是：“他多少岁？他有多少兄弟？他体重多少？他的爸爸赚了多少钱？”他们认为只有从这些数据他们认识了他。
如果你曾对大人说：“我看到一个用玫瑰砖头砌成的房子，窗上养着天竺葵，鸽子落在屋顶，”他们将会对这个房子一无所知。你得告诉他们：“我看到一个房子价值2万美元。”他们会惊呼：“噢，多漂亮的房子！”
就这样，你可能会对他们说：“小王子的存在本身就很有魅力，他笑过，他在寻找一只绵羊。如果曾有人想要一只绵羊，这就是他存在的证据。”告诉他们这些有什么好处呢？他们将耸耸肩，把你当成一个小孩。但如果你对他们说："他来自的行星是小行行B-612,"
他们就会相信，并不再问你问题。
他们喜欢那种方式。小孩子必须不反抗他们。孩子们得经常容忍大人这种行为。
当然，对于真正懂生活的人来说， 数据并不重要。我将通过童话这方式来开始这个故事。我应该会这样说：“很久以前有一个小王子，生活在一个几乎和房子一样大的小行星上，他需要一只羊..."
对于真正理解生活的人来说， 将会更能明白我的故事。
因为我不想任何人粗心地阅读我这本书。为了放下这段回忆，我经历了太多悲伤。我的朋友带着他的绵羊已经离开了我六年。在这如为了更好地描述他，必须确认我没有忘记他。 忘记一个朋友是悲伤的。 不是所有人都有朋友。如果我忘记了他， 我可能会变得像那些大人一样，对一切都失去了兴趣，只在乎数据..
为了实现这个目标，我再次买了一箱颜料和一些铅笔。在我这个年龄，重新拾起画画是很费劲的，除了六岁画过大蟒蛇的外面和大蟒蛇的里面，我并没有画过其他的画，当然我尝试使我的画更贴近生活。但我根本保证不了一定会成功。有时画的很像，有时一点都不像它的真实物体。我犯了些错，小王子的身高有的太高，有的又太矮。我质疑他服装的颜色。我笨拙前进，尽我所能，一会二好，一会儿坏。我希望总体上来说还过得去。
在某些重要的细节上了，我做错了。但并不是我的错。我的朋友从不向我解释事情。他一直思考，可能这也是为什么我喜欢他。我也不知道该如何看到纸箱里的羊走除，可能我有些像大人了，我不得不变老。
254.thus /ðʌs/ adv.因此;从而;这样;所以;如此;以此方式
255.learned /lɜːrnd , ˈlɜːrnɪd/ adj.学到的;(为)学者的;有学问的;博学的;
学术性的;知识渊博的;学问精深的;
通过训练(或经历)形成的;非天生的
v.学习;学;学会; learn的过去分词和过去式
256.in addition to /ɪn əˈdɪʃn tu/ 除了;另外，加之，除…之外（还）
257.such as /sʌtʃ æz/ 例如;……等;像;像……这样，像……那种;
(such as是一个短语介词，本质上还是一个介词，它后面接宾语。 such as用于表示列举，相当于介词like。)
258.Earth /ɜːrθ/ n.地球;土;世界;大地;地面;泥土;
（接）地线;陆地;泥;兽穴
vt.把(电线)接地
259.Jupiter /ˈdʒuːpɪtər/ n.木星(太阳系中最大的行星);
260.Mars /mɑːrz/ n.火星
261.Venus /ˈviːnəs/ n.金星;维纳斯;太白星
262.Hundreds /ˈhʌndrədz/ n.数百;数以百计;成百上千;好几百;成百;
263.hundreds of /ˈhʌndrədz əv/ 成百上千;好几百 adj.
264.telescope /ˈtelɪskoʊp/ n.望远镜
v.(使)叠套缩短，叠缩;缩短，精简，压缩(成…)
265.discovers /dɪˈskʌvərz/ v.(第一个)发现;(出乎意料地)发现，找到，发觉;了解到
discover的第三人称单数
266.example /ɪɡˈzæmpl/ n. 例子;榜样;样品;
v.作为…的示范
267.Asteroid /ˈæstərɔɪd/ n.小行星;星状;地球末日
268.serious /ˈsɪriəs/ adj. 严重的;严肃的;重要的;
269.known /noʊn/ adj.已知的;知名的;出了名的
v.知道;了解;知悉;
270.reason /ˈriːzn/ n.原因;解释;理性;
v.推理;理解;思考
271.planet /ˈplænɪt/ n.行星;地球(尤指环境)
272.believe /bɪˈliːv/ v.相信;认定;看作;
273.discovery /dɪˈskʌvəri/ n.发现;发觉;被发现的事物(或真相、人)
274.Turkish /ˈtɜːrkɪʃ/ adj 土耳其的 n.土耳其语
275.astronomer /əˈstrɑːnəmər/ n.天文学家
276.astronomy /əˈstrɑːnəmi/ n.天文学
277.astronomical /ˌæstrəˈnɑːmɪkl/ adj.天文;天文数字;天文的;天文学
278.presented /prɪˈzentɪd/ v.提出;(以某种方式)展现，表现;授予; present的过去分词和过去式
279.might:/maɪt/ modal.情态动词（表示可能、不确定等）可能，也许;（
表示目的或愿望）能，会;
（用于表示与事实相反的虚拟语气中）会，能;
（委婉提出建议或忠告）可以，不妨;
（表示接下来的陈述并不令人惊讶）可以，能够（预料）;
（后接but）（虽然）也许;
（表示请求或婉转的责备）请，应该;
（用于礼貌地打断别人、提出问题、做出请求或引出接下来要说的话）
可不可以，能否;
（表示对某件令人失望的事情或情况并不吃惊）我早该知道（猜到）;
（表示强调接下来的陈述）我可以这么说;
（may的过去时，用于间接引语）可以;
应该（强调某人应该做某事，尤指对某人未做某事感到气愤）;
（用于问句，恳求许可）可以
n.方〉大量，许多;能力;可能性;强权，势力，权势;强大力量，威力
280.only once 仅一次 ; 只此一遭
281.International /ˌɪntərˈnæʃnəl/ adj.国际的
n.外国人;国际体育比赛;国际体育比赛选手
282.the International Astronomical Congress 国际天文学家代表大会
283.congress /ˈkɑːŋɡrəs/ n.(由众议院和参议院组成的)美国国会
284.on /upon doing sth 刚一做某事（就）功能：相当于as soon as引导的时间状语从句
285.demonstration /ˌdemənˈstreɪʃn/ n.证明;演示;示范;论证;说明;证实;表达;游行示威;示范表演;集会示威demostration是论证，示范，论证会之意，present the duscovery in a demonstration其实就是在论证会上展示自己的发现，对自己的发现进行论证，实证。
285.Costume /ˈkɑːstuːm/n.服装;(某地或某历史时期的)装束;
(戏剧或电影的)戏装;泳会, 游泳衣;(特定场合穿的) 成套服装
v.为…提供服装;给…设计服装;给(某人)穿上特殊服装
adj.(戏剧)古装的;与服装匹配的;化装穿戴的，表现服装特色的
286.Custom :/ˈkʌstəm/ n.习俗;(个人的)习惯，习性，惯常行为;风俗;(顾客对商店的)惠顾，光顾
adj.定做（制）的
287.fortunately /ˈfɔːrtʃənətli/ adv.幸运地;交好运地;吉利地
288.reputation /ˌrepjuˈteɪʃn / n.名誉; 名声;
289.dictator /ˈdɪkteɪtər/ n. 独裁者;专横的人;发号施令者
299.European /ˌjʊrəˈpiːən/ adj.欧洲的;欧盟的;全欧的
n. 欧洲人;欧洲人的后裔;欧盟拥护者;欧盟支持者;祖籍欧洲的人
300.dressed /drest/ adj.穿着衣服的;穿着…服装;穿着衣服
v.给(某人)穿衣服;穿衣服;穿…的服装;穿正式服装
dress的过去分词和过去式
301.impressive /ɪmˈpresɪv/ adj.给人印象深刻的;令人赞叹的;令人敬佩的
302.on account of /ɑːn əˈkaʊnt əv/ 介词短语 考虑到;因为，由于，为了某物
303.essential matters 本质问题
304.under pain of death 处死刑
305.style /staɪl/ n.风格;样式;方式;…式的;
款式;作风;花柱;
(指服装)时新，时髦，流行式样;
优雅格调;语言规范
vt.称;命名;称呼;把…设计(或缝制、做)成某种式样
306.elegance /ˈɛləgəns]/ n.优雅; 优美，高雅
307.all over /ˈɔːl oʊvər/ 到处都是;到处，遍及
308.accepted /əkˈseptɪd/ adj.公认的;被普遍接受的
v.认为合适或足够好而)接受;同意;认可;收受 accept的过去分词和过去式
309.made a note of /meɪd ə noʊt əv/ 记下
310.note /noʊt/ n.笔记;记录;注释;（外交文书）照会;纸币;特征;便条;批注;正式文件;短笺;单音;按语;图书资料，录音或唱片等封套介绍
v.注意，留意;指出，表明;记录，记下;着重提到，强调;为 (书等) 加注;用音符记
311.figures ˈfɪɡjərz / n.位数;算术;数字符号;
v.是…的部分;计算(数量或成本);认为，认定(某事将发生或属实);是重要部分
figure的第三人称单数和复数
312.rosy /ˈroʊzi/ adj.粉红色的;红润的;美好的;乐观的
313.brick /brɪk/ n. 砖;砖块;积木;可靠的朋友
v. 砌砖，用砖镶填（堵住）（up），用砖围砌（in）
adj.用砖砌的;砖似的
314.geranium /dʒəˈreɪniəm/ n.天竺葵 tiān zhú kuí ;老鹳草 lǎo guàn cǎo
315.exclaim /ɪkˈskleɪm/ n.呼喊;(由于强烈的情感或痛苦而)惊叫
316.pretty /ˈprɪti/ adj.漂亮的;精致的;美观的;
动听的;赏心悦目的;妩媚的
adv.非常;相当;十分;极;颇;很
n.漂亮的人（或东西）
317.proof /pruːf/ n.证明;证据;检验;证实;校样;验算;求证;（酒的）标准酒精度
adj.防…的;抗…的;能抵御;可防护;能防范
vt.使防水(或防火等);印…的校样;给(织物等)做防护处理
318.fashion /ˈfæʃn/ n.时尚;时装业;(行为、活动等的)时兴;(衣服、发式等的)流行款式
vt.(尤指用手工)制作;塑造
319.in the fashion of 以……的方式
320.fairy-tales 童话;童话故事
321.fairy /ˈferi/ n.仙女;(故事中的)小仙人，仙子，小精灵;
adj.美丽的;优雅的;仙女似的
322.tales /'teɪliːz/ n.(尤指充满惊险的)故事;(精彩但不一定完全真实的)讲述，叙述;历险记 tale的复数
323.carelessly /ˈkerləsli/ adv.粗心地;不用心地
324.charming /ˈtʃɑːmɪŋ/ adj.令人着迷的，迷人的，吸引人的;
娇媚的，可爱的;和蔼可亲的，富有魅力的;
（尤指男人）有吸引力但不可信的，风流倜傥的;
施展魔力的，用魔法的;令人高兴的;
(表示对某人的行为评价不高)真是太好了，（表示不赞成）真够可以的
v.吸引;迷住;(以魔法或似有魔法)控制，保护 charm的现在分词
325.forbearance 美/fɔːrˈberəns/ n.忍让;宽容
326.a matter of indifference 无关紧要的事;无所谓的事
327.indifference /ɪnˈdɪfrəns/ n. 冷漠;冷淡;不感兴趣
328.pencils /ˈpenslz/ n.铅笔
v.用铅笔写(或画、作记号)
329.paints /peɪnts/ v.把…描绘成;用颜料画;在…上刷油漆
n.绘画颜料；绘画作品（paint 的复数形式）
330.take up /ˈteɪk ʌp/ 占用，花费（时间、空间或精力）;
占领，占据，占有（位置、阵地）;
接受，答应（提议或挑战）;
继续;开始从事;开始处理;
喜欢上;开始干（工作）;
讨论…的处理方法;
把…接着进行下去
331.Except /ɪkˈsept/ prep.(介词) 除了;(用于所言不包括的人或事物前)除…之外
conj.(连词) 除了;只是
vt.不包括;不计;把…除外
332.Errors /ˈɛrərz/ n.错误;差错;谬误 error的复数
