'Good day,' said the little prince.

'Good day.' said the merchant.

The merchant was selling patent pills to quench thirst: you swallow one each week, and you no longer feel the need to drink.

'Why are you selling those things?' asked the little prince.

'They're a great time-saver,' said the merchant. 'The experts have worked it out. You can save fifty-three minutes in every week.' 

'And what do I do with these fifty-three minutes?'

'You do whatever you like ...'

' For my part,' said the little prince to himself, 'if I had fifty-three minutes to spare, I would take my time walking slowly towards the nearest fountain of water.'