It was then that the fox appeared.
“Good morning,” said the fox.
“Good morning,” the little prince responded politely, although
when he turned around he saw nothing.
“I am right here,” the voice said, “under the apple tree.”
“Who are you?” asked the little prince, and added, “You are very
pretty to look at.”
“I am a fox,” said the fox.
“Come and play with me,” proposed the little prince. “I am so
unhappy.”
“I cannot play with you,” the fox said. “I am not tamed.”
“Ah! Please excuse me,” said the little prince. But, after some
thought, he added:
“What does that mean—‘tame’?”
“You do not live here,” said the fox. “What is it that you are
looking for?”
“I am looking for men,” said the little prince. “What does that
mean— ‘tame’?”
“Men,” said the fox. “They have guns, and they hunt. It is very
disturbing. They also raise chickens. These are their only
interests. Are you looking for chickens?”
“No,” said the little prince. “I am looking for friends. What
does that mean—‘tame’?”
“It is an act too often neglected,” said the fox. “It means to
establish ties.”
“‘To establish ties’?”
“Just that,” said the fox. “To me, you are still nothing more
than a little boy who is just like a hundred thousand other little
boys. And I have no need of you. And you, on your part, have no
need of me. To you, I am nothing more than a fox like a hundred
thousand other foxes. But if you tame me, then we shall need each
other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall
be unique in all the world...”