Quote 19
I had let my tools drop from my hands. Of what moment now was my hammer, my bolt, or thirst, or death? On one star, one planet, my planet, the Earth, there was a little prince to be comforted. I took him in my arms, and rocked him. (7.32)
This friendship with the prince inspires the narrator to be less selfish. When the narrator sees his friend is unhappy, he drops everything to comfort him. The narrator says that his hammer and bolt aren’t important compared to the prince’s grief, which is understandable—but he also says “thirst” and “death” aren’t as important either. He must really care about the prince!
Quote 20
I did not know what to say to him. I felt awkward and blundering. I did not know how I could reach him, where I could overtake him and go on hand in hand with him once more.
It is such a secret place, the land of tears. (7.34-5)
Even when you have a great friend, that friendship doesn’t mean you can do everything together. As much as the narrator cares for and sympathizes with the prince, the narrator can’t follow him “hand in hand” into the “land of tears” – in other words, it is impossible to really, truly understand someone else’s sorrow. Do you agree?
Quote 21
As the little prince watched him, he felt that he loved this lamplighter who was so faithful to his orders. He remembered the sunsets which he himself had gone to seek, in other days, merely by pulling up his chair; and he wanted to help his friend. (14.24)
The prince has barely known the lamplighter for any time at all, but he already knows that he wants to be friends with him. In fact, he’s already decided that they’re friends and is now thinking about how he can help the lamplighter out. Although it’s only been part of a short chapter, the prince “fe[els] that he love[s] this lamplighter.” Why do you think this is so?