Chapter 15
Who lived on the sixth planet?
→ An old gentleman who was a geographer.
What does “ephemeral” mean, according to the geographer?
→ It means something that is in danger of disappearing quickly.
What was the seventh planet the Little Prince visited?
The Earth
Which lamplighters work the least, and why?
→ The ones at the North and South Poles, because they only light their lamps twice a year.
Who does the Little Prince meet first on Earth?
→ A snake.
What does a geographer do?
→ He knows the locations of seas, rivers, mountains, towns, and deserts.
Why does the Little Prince feel sad after speaking to the geographer?
→ Because he realizes that his flower is fragile and he left her alone.
How many kings and geographers does the narrator say are on Earth?
111 kings and 7,000 geographers.
What does the description of lamplighters symbolize about human work?
It shows how people follow routines without realizing the larger picture or beauty of their actions.
Where does the snake say they are?
→ In Africa, in the desert.
Why doesn’t the geographer explore his own planet?
→ Because he thinks he is too important to leave his desk.
What does the geographer represent in adult society?
→ He represents people who value knowledge but never experience life directly.
How many lamplighters existed before electricity? →
462,511 lamplighters.
Why do you think the author included so many statistics (numbers) in this chapter?
To show how adults often use numbers to feel important and make sense of the world.
What color is the snake described as?
Golden, like the color of moonlight.
Why doesn’t the geographer record flowers?
→ Because flowers are ephemeral (they don’t last long).
Do you agree that only “eternal things” are important? Explain.
→ Answers vary. Example: No, because even short-lived things like flowers can have great value and beauty.
How is the Earth described compared to other planets?
It’s described as large, busy, and full of grown-ups.
How does this chapter prepare the reader for the Little Prince’s meeting with Earth’s creatures?
→ It highlights how big and complicated Earth is, making the Prince’s loneliness more meaningful.
What does the snake say about people and loneliness?
→ That it is also lonely among men.
Why does the geographer ask about the explorer’s moral character?
→ Because if the explorer lies or drinks too much, his information would be unreliable.
What lesson does the Little Prince learn from his visit to the geographer?
→ That love and care for small, fragile things are more meaningful than abstract knowledge.
Why does the narrator describe the lamplighters like dancers in a ballet?
To show the beauty and coordination of their work around the world.
Why is the Little Prince surprised when he arrives on Earth?
→ Because he doesn’t see any people.