To Leon Werth

I ask the indulgence of the children who may read this book for dedicating it to a grown-up.  I have a serious reason: he is the best friend I have in the world. I have another reason: this grown-up understands everything, even books about children. I have a third reason: he lives in France where he is hungry and cold. He needs cheering up. If all these reasons are not enough, I will dedicate the book to the child from whom this grown-up grew. All grown-ups were once children-- although few of them remember it. And so I correct my dedication:

To Leon Werth
when he was a little boy

To Leon Werth

致莱昂·韦尔特

The Little Prince

《小王子》

我请求可能读到这本书的孩子们原谅，将它献给一个大人。

我有一个严肃的理由：他是我在世界上最好的朋友。

我还有另一个理由：这个大人什么都懂，甚至包括儿童读物。

我还有第三个理由：他住在法国，在那里他又冷又饿。

如果所有这些原因都不够，我将把这本书献给这个大人曾经是孩子的那个孩子。

所有的大人都曾经是孩子——尽管他们中的很少人记得这一点。