The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Forgot all about this part of the book 'til I reread a part of it last night. Serendipitous literary timing. If only I was as wise as the little prince, who just continued on his journey despite his desire to help, when it was clear that he could not...
(Chapter 12)
The next planet was inhabited by a drunkard. This was a very short visit, but it plunged the little prince into deep despair.
“What are you doing there?” he said to the drunkard, whom he found settled down in silence before a collection of bottles- some empty, some still full.
“I am drinking,” replied the drunkard with a lugubrious air.
“Why are you drinking?” asked the little prince.
“So that I may forget,” replied the drunkard.
“Forget what?” inquired the little prince, who already was sorry for him.
“Forget that I am ashamed,” the drunkard confessed, hanging his head.
“Ashamed of what?” insisted the little prince, who wanted to help him.
“Ashamed of drinking!” The drunkard brought his speech to an end and shut himself up in an impregnable silence.
So the little prince went away, puzzled.
“The grown ups are certainly very, very odd,” he said to himself as he continued on his journey.