- Finally, on the fifth day, the narrator learns about something that really matters to the prince. First, though, the two have what’s probably their first fight.
- The prince wants to know if the sheep (you know, the one in the drawing) eats only certain types of plants or eats all plants. He seems really concerned that the sheep might eat even flowers with thorns.
- The narrator isn’t giving the prince his full attention because he’s trying to fix his plane. So, he replies carelessly that the flower’s thorns will be no protection from the sheep.
- This really upsets the prince. The prince accuses the narrator of being like other adults who cannot distinguish between important and unimportant things.
- To clarify what he means, the prince talks about a guy he met who is puffed up with pride and keeps saying he’s busy. This man has never loved anyone or appreciated the beauty of flowers or stars—all he’s done is add up numbers.
- And what’s important to the prince? It turns out there’s a particular flower on his planet that he loves, and so the question of whether a sheep might eat that flower is extremely important to him.
- He cries.
- The narrator is upset, too, and tries to comfort the prince.