The tippler

The next planet was inhabited by a tippler. This was a very short visit, but it plunged the little prince into deep dejection.
- “What are you doing there?” he said to the tippler, whom he found settled down in silence before a collection of empty bottles and also a collection of full bottles.
- “I am drinking,” replied the tippler, with a lugubrious air. 
- “Why are you drinking?” demanded the little prince. “So that I may forget,” replied the tippler.
- “Forget what?” inquired the little prince, who already was sorry for him.”
- “Forget that I am ashamed,” the tippler confessed, hanging his head. 
- “Ashamed of what?” insisted the little prince, who wanted to help him.
- “Ashamed of drinking!” The tippler brought his speech to an end, and shut himself up in an impregnable silence.
And the little prince went away, puzzled.
- “The grown-ups are certainly very, very odd”  he said to himself, as he continued on his journey.
(Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, “The Little Prince”)