It sounded(It seemed or appeared [ɪt ˈsaʊndɪd]) an excellent plan(a very good and effective idea [ən ˈɛksələnt plæn]), (pause)no doubt(certainly; without question [noʊ daʊt]), (pause)and(connecting two related ideas [ənd]) very neatly(in a tidy and organized manner [ˈvɛri ˈnitli]) and simply(in a straightforward and uncomplicated manner [ənd ˈsɪmpli]) arranged(organized or planned [əreɪnʤd]); (separates two related independent clauses)the only difficulty(the single problem or challenge [ðə ˈoʊnli ˈdɪfɪˌkəlti]) was(past tense of 'to be', linking the subject to the predicate [wɑz]), (pause)that(introducing a clause stating the content of the difficulty [ðət]) she(referring to Alice [ʃi]) had not(did not have [hæd nɑt]) the smallest idea(no understanding or knowledge [ðə sˈmɔləst aɪˈdiə]) how to set about it(how to begin or approach the task [haʊ tɪ sɛt əˈbaʊt ɪt]); (separates two related independent clauses)and(connecting two related ideas [ənd]) while(during the time that [waɪl]) she(referring to Alice [ʃi]) was peering(looking closely or carefully [wɑz ˈpirɪŋ]) about(around; in various places [əˈbaʊt]) anxiously(in a worried or nervous manner [ˈæŋkʃəsli]) among the trees(surrounded by trees [əˈməŋ ðə triz]), (pause)a little sharp bark(a short, high-pitched sound made by a dog or similar animal [ə ˈlɪtəl ʃɑrp bɑrk]) just over her head(directly above her [ʤɪst ˈoʊvər hər hɛd]) made her(caused her to [meɪd hər]) look up(raise her eyes to see something above [lʊk əp]) in a great hurry(very quickly; with haste [ɪn ə greɪt ˈhəri]).
An enormous puppy(A very large young dog [ən ɪˈnɔrmɪs ˈpəpi]) was looking down(past continuous tense of 'look down', meaning to direct one's gaze downwards [wɑz ˈlʊkɪŋ daʊn]) at her(referring to Alice, the subject of the story [æt hər]) with large round eyes(describing the puppy's eyes as big and circular [wɪθ lɑrʤ raʊnd aɪz]), and feebly stretching out(weakly extending [ənd ˈfibli ˈstrɛʧɪŋ aʊt]) one paw(one of the puppy's feet [wən pɔ]), trying to touch her(attempting to make contact with Alice [traɪɪŋ tɪ təʧ hər]). 'Poor little thing(an expression of sympathy for the puppy [pur ˈlɪtəl θɪŋ])!' said Alice(identifies Alice as the speaker [sɛd ˈælɪs]), in a coaxing tone(speaking in a gentle and persuasive manner [ɪn ə ˈkoʊksɪŋ toʊn]), and she tried hard(she made a strong effort [ənd ʃi traɪd hɑrd]) to whistle to it(to produce a whistling sound to attract the puppy's attention [tɪ ˈwɪsəl tɪ ɪt]); but she was terribly frightened(she felt extremely scared [bət ʃi wɑz ˈtɛrəbli ˈfraɪtənd]) all the time(throughout the entire duration [ɔl ðə taɪm]) at the thought(considering the possibility [æt ðə θɔt]) that it might be hungry(that the puppy could be in need of food [ðət ɪt maɪt bi ˈhəŋgri]), in which case(if that were to happen [ɪn wɪʧ keɪs]) it would be very likely(it would probably [ɪt wʊd bi ˈvɛri ˈlaɪkli]) to eat her up(to consume her entirely [tɪ it hər əp]) in spite of(despite; regardless of [ɪn spaɪt əv]) all her coaxing(all of her gentle persuasion and attempts to soothe the puppy [ɔl hər ˈkoʊksɪŋ]).
Hardly knowing(barely aware [ˈhɑrdli noʊɪŋ]) what she did(of her actions [wət ʃi dɪd]), she picked up(she took hold of [ʃi pɪkt əp]) a little bit of stick(a small piece of wood [ə ˈlɪtəl bɪt əv stɪk]), and held it out(and extended it [ənd hɛld ɪt aʊt]) to the puppy(towards the young dog [tɪ ðə ˈpəpi]); whereupon(at which point [ˈwɛrəˈpɑn]) the puppy jumped(the puppy leaped [ðə ˈpəpi ʤəmpt]) into the air(off the ground [ˈɪntu ðə ɛr]) off all its feet(using all four paws to propel itself upwards [ɔf ɔl ɪts fit]) at once(simultaneously [æt wəns]), with a yelp of delight(expressing happiness with a short, sharp bark [wɪθ ə jɛlp əv dɪˈlaɪt]), and rushed at(and charged towards [ənd rəʃt æt]) the stick(the piece of wood [ðə stɪk]), and made believe(pretended [ənd meɪd bɪˈliv]) to worry it(to playfully attack it [tɪ ˈwəri ɪt]); then Alice dodged(then Alice moved quickly to avoid something [ðɛn ˈælɪs dɑʤd]) behind a great thistle(behind a large, prickly plant [bɪˈhaɪnd ə greɪt ˈθɪsəl]), to keep herself(in order to protect herself [tɪ kip hərˈsɛlf]) from being run over(from being trampled by the puppy [frəm biɪŋ rən ˈoʊvər]); and the moment(as soon as [ənd ðə ˈmoʊmənt]) she appeared(she became visible [ʃi əˈpɪrd]) on the other side(on the opposite side of the thistle [ɔn ðə ˈəðər saɪd]), the puppy made(the puppy performed [ðə ˈpəpi meɪd]) another rush(another charge [əˈnəðər rəʃ]) at the stick(towards the piece of wood [æt ðə stɪk]), and tumbled head over heels(and fell forward, rolling completely over [ənd ˈtəmbəld hɛd ˈoʊvər hilz]) in its hurry(because it was moving so quickly [ɪn ɪts ˈhəri]) to get hold of it(to grab the stick [tɪ gɪt hoʊld əv ɪt]); then Alice(at that point, Alice [ðɛn ˈælɪs]), thinking it was(believing that the situation was [ˈθɪŋkɪŋ ɪt wɑz]) very like(similar to [ˈvɛri laɪk]) having a game of play(engaging in a playful activity [ˈhævɪŋ ə geɪm əv pleɪ]) with a cart-horse(with a large, strong horse used for pulling heavy loads [wɪθ ə cart-horse]), and expecting(anticipating [ənd ɪkˈspɛktɪŋ]) every moment(at any second [ˈɛvəri ˈmoʊmənt]) to be trampled(to be stepped on heavily [tɪ bi ˈtræmpəld]) under its feet(beneath the puppy's paws [ˈəndər ɪts fit]), ran round(moved quickly around [ræn raʊnd]) the thistle again(the prickly plant once more [ðə ˈθɪsəl əˈgɛn]); then the puppy began(at that point, the puppy started [ðɛn ðə ˈpəpi bɪˈgæn]) a series of short charges(a sequence of brief rushes [ə ˈsɪriz əv ʃɔrt ˈʧɑrʤɪz]) at the stick(towards the piece of wood [æt ðə stɪk]), running a very little way forwards(moving a short distance ahead [ˈrənɪŋ ə ˈvɛri ˈlɪtəl weɪ ˈfɔrwərdz]) each time(on every occasion [iʧ taɪm]) and a long way back(and a significant distance backwards [ənd ə lɔŋ weɪ bæk]), and barking hoarsely(and making rough, strained barking sounds [ənd ˈbɑrkɪŋ hoarsely]) all the while(during the entire time [ɔl ðə waɪl]), till at last(until finally [tɪl æt læst]) it sat down(it lowered itself to a sitting position [ɪt sæt daʊn]) a good way off(a considerable distance away [ə gʊd weɪ ɔf]), panting(breathing heavily [ˈpæntɪŋ]), with its tongue(with its lingual organ [wɪθ ɪts təŋ]) hanging out(protruding [ˈhæŋɪŋ aʊt]) of its mouth(from its oral cavity [əv ɪts maʊθ]), and its great eyes(and its large eyes [ənd ɪts greɪt aɪz]) half shut(partially closed [hæf ʃət]).
This(refers to a previously mentioned or understood situation or event [ðɪs]) seemed(appeared to be; gave the impression of being [simd]) to Alice(in Alice's opinion or perception [tɪ ˈælɪs]) a good opportunity(a favorable chance or occasion [ə gʊd ˌɑpərˈtunəti]) for making her escape(to successfully run away or get free from a situation [fər ˈmeɪkɪŋ hər ɪˈskeɪp]); so(therefore; as a result [soʊ]) she(referring to Alice [ʃi]) set off(began to move or travel; started a journey [sɛt ɔf]) at once(immediately; without delay [æt wəns]), and ran(and moved quickly on foot [ənd ræn]) till(until; up to the point in time when [tɪl]) she(referring to Alice [ʃi]) was(past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]) quite tired(completely exhausted [kwaɪt taɪərd]) and out of breath(unable to breathe easily due to exertion [ənd aʊt əv brɛθ]), and till(and until; up to the point in time when [ənd tɪl]) the puppy's bark(the sound made by the puppy [ðə puppys bɑrk]) sounded(was heard [ˈsaʊndɪd]) quite faint(very quiet and distant [kwaɪt feɪnt]) in the distance(far away [ɪn ðə ˈdɪstəns]).
'And yet(Despite what has been said; nevertheless [ənd jɛt]) what a dear(how adorable or lovely [wət ə dɪr]) little puppy(a young dog [ˈlɪtəl ˈpəpi]) it was(exclamation expressing affection or fondness [ɪt wɑz])!' said Alice(Alice spoke [sɛd ˈælɪs]), as(while; at the same time as [ɛz]) she(referring to Alice [ʃi]) leant(past tense of 'lean'; rested or supported herself [ˈliənt]) against(in physical contact with [əˈgɛnst]) a buttercup(a yellow flower [ə ˈbətərˌkəp]) to rest herself(in order to relax and recover [tɪ rɛst hərˈsɛlf]), and fanned(moved something back and forth to create a breeze [ənd fænd]) herself(referring to Alice [hərˈsɛlf]) with one of the leaves(using a leaf to create a breeze [wɪθ wən əv ðə livz]): 'I(Alice speaking about herself [aɪ]) should have liked(would have enjoyed [ʃʊd hæv laɪkt]) teaching it tricks(showing the puppy how to perform actions [ˈtiʧɪŋ ɪt trɪks]) very much(a great deal; greatly [ˈvɛri məʧ]), if—if(expressing a condition or possibility, repeated for emphasis [if-if]) I'd(contraction of 'I had' or 'I would' [aɪd]) only been(only have been [ˈoʊnli bɪn]) the right size(the appropriate height or dimensions [ðə raɪt saɪz]) to do it(to perform the teaching of tricks [tɪ du ɪt])! Oh dear(an expression of dismay or concern [oʊ dɪr])! I'd(contraction of 'I had' [aɪd]) nearly forgotten(almost not remembered [ˈnɪrli fərˈgɑtən]) that(introducing a clause [ðət]) I've got to(I have to; I must [aɪv gɑt tɪ]) grow up(become an adult [groʊ əp]) again(once more; returning to a previous state [əˈgɛn])! Let me see(an expression used when thinking or trying to remember something [lɛt mi si])—how(in what way; by what method [haʊ]) IS it(is it really [ɪz ɪt]) to be managed(to be accomplished or done [tɪ bi ˈmænɪʤd])? I suppose(I assume; I think [aɪ səˈpoʊz]) I ought to(I should; it is my duty to [aɪ ɔt tɪ]) eat or drink(consume food or liquid [it ər drɪŋk]) something or other(something unspecified [ˈsəmθɪŋ ər ˈəðər]); but(however; on the other hand [bət]) the great question(the most important issue [ðə greɪt kˈwɛʃən]) is(is actually [ɪz]), what(what thing or substance [wət])?'