'You(Referring to Alice, expressing disbelief or scorn. [ju])!' said(past tense of 'say', indicating who spoke the words [sɛd]) the Caterpillar(referring to the Caterpillar character. [ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]) contemptuously(in a scornful or disrespectful manner. [kənˈtɛmˌpʧuəsli]). 'Who(asking for identification [hu]) are(form of the verb 'to be' [ər]) YOU(Referring to Alice, demanding her identity. [ju])?'
Which(referring to the Caterpillar's question [wɪʧ]) brought(past tense of 'bring', meaning to cause to come with [brɔt]) them(referring to Alice and the Caterpillar [ðɛm]) back(to the original place or condition [bæk]) again(once more; another time [əˈgɛn]) to(indicating direction or destination [tɪ]) the beginning(the starting point [ðə bɪˈgɪnɪŋ]) of(indicating relationship or belonging [əv]) the conversation(the exchange of words between Alice and the Caterpillar. [ðə ˌkɑnvərˈseɪʃən]). Alice(referring to the character Alice. [ˈælɪs]) felt(past tense of 'feel', meaning to experience an emotion [fɛlt]) a little(slightly; somewhat [ə ˈlɪtəl]) irritated(annoyed; bothered [ˈɪrəˌteɪtəd]) at(expressing location or direction [æt]) the Caterpillar's(belonging to the Caterpillar [ðə ˈkætərˌpɪlərz]) making(performing the action of [ˈmeɪkɪŋ]) such(of a particular kind or degree [səʧ]) VERY(extremely; greatly [ˈvɛri]) short(brief; concise [ʃɔrt]) remarks(comments; statements [rɪˈmɑrks]), and(connecting two clauses [ənd]) she(referring to Alice [ʃi]) drew(past tense of 'draw', meaning to pull or move [dru]) herself(referring to Alice [hərˈsɛlf]) up(into an erect or dignified posture [əp]) and(connecting two actions [ənd]) said(past tense of 'say', indicating who spoke the words [sɛd]), very(extremely; greatly [ˈvɛri]) gravely(in a serious manner [ˈgreɪvli]), 'I(the speaker (Alice [aɪ]) think(to have an opinion or belief [θɪŋk]), you(referring to the Caterpillar [ju]) ought(should; morally obligated to [ɔt]) to(indicating obligation [tɪ]) tell(to communicate information [tɛl]) me(the speaker (Alice [mi]) who(asking for identification [hu]) YOU(referring to the Caterpillar [ju]) are(identity [ər]), first(before anything else. [fərst]).'
'Why(Asking for the reason or purpose. [waɪ])?' said(past tense of 'say', indicating who spoke the words [sɛd]) the Caterpillar(referring to the Caterpillar character. [ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]).
Here(in or at this place [hir]) was(past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]) another(one more; an additional [əˈnəðər]) puzzling(causing confusion or difficulty in understanding [ˈpəzəlɪŋ]) question(a sentence worded or expressed so as to elicit information [kˈwɛʃən]); and(connecting two clauses [ənd]) as(because; since [ɛz]) Alice(referring to the character Alice. [ˈælɪs]) could(past tense of 'can', expressing ability [kʊd]) not(negation [nɑt]) think(to have a thought or idea [θɪŋk]) of(expressing relationship or belonging [əv]) any(one or some; used to refer to an unspecified amount or number of something [ˈɛni]) good(of high quality; beneficial [gʊd]) reason(a cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event [ˈrizən]), and(connecting two clauses [ənd]) as(because; since [ɛz]) the Caterpillar(referring to the Caterpillar character. [ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]) seemed(appeared to be [simd]) to be(to exist or occur [tɪ bi]) in(expressing location or condition [ɪn]) a(indefinite article [ə]) VERY(extremely; greatly [ˈvɛri]) unpleasant(not enjoyable; disagreeable [ənˈplɛzənt]) state(condition; situation [steɪt]) of(expressing relationship or belonging [əv]) mind(a person's thoughts and feelings [maɪnd]), she(referring to Alice [ʃi]) turned(past tense of 'turn', meaning to change direction [tərnd]) away(to move in a different direction. [əˈweɪ]).
'Come back(An imperative phrase urging someone to return to the speaker's location. [kəm bæk])!' the Caterpillar(Referring to a specific caterpillar, likely a character in a story. [ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]) called after her(shouted or spoke loudly to get her attention as she was moving away. [kɔld ˈæftər hər]). 'I've(Contraction of 'I have', indicating possession or a completed action. [aɪv]) something important(referring to a piece of information or a matter of significance. [ˈsəmθɪŋ ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt]) to say(to utter or express verbally. [tɪ seɪ])!'
This sounded promising(This situation or statement appeared to offer a good chance of success or a positive outcome. [ðɪs ˈsaʊndɪd ˈprɑməsɪŋ]), certainly(Without a doubt; definitely. [ˈsərtənli]): Alice turned(Alice rotated her body to face the opposite direction. [ˈælɪs tərnd]) and came back again(and returned to the place she had left. [ənd keɪm bæk əˈgɛn]).
'Keep your temper(An idiom meaning to remain calm and avoid getting angry. [kip jʊr ˈtɛmpər]),' said the Caterpillar(The Caterpillar spoke these words. [sɛd ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]).
'Is that all(A question expressing disappointment or surprise that something is not more significant or extensive. [ɪz ðət ɔl])?' said Alice(Alice spoke these words. [sɛd ˈælɪs]), swallowing down(Suppressing or holding back. [sˈwɑloʊɪŋ daʊn]) her anger(The feeling of being upset or annoyed. [hər ˈæŋgər]) as well as(To the same extent or degree. [ɛz wɛl ɛz]) she could(She was able to. [ʃi kʊd]).
'No(A negative response. [noʊ]),' said the Caterpillar(The Caterpillar spoke this word. [sɛd ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]).
Alice thought(Alice considered or believed. [ˈælɪs θɔt]) she might as well wait(she should wait because there was no better alternative. [ʃi maɪt ɛz wɛl weɪt]), as she had nothing else to do(because she had no other activities or obligations. [ɛz ʃi hæd ˈnəθɪŋ ɛls tɪ du]), and perhaps after all(and maybe eventually. [ənd pərˈhæps ˈæftər ɔl]) it might tell her(the Caterpillar might reveal to Alice. [ɪt maɪt tɛl hər]) something worth hearing(information that is interesting or valuable. [ˈsəmθɪŋ wərθ ˈhirɪŋ]). For some minutes(During a period of several minutes. [fər səm ˈmɪnəts]) it puffed away(it emitted smoke or vapor continuously. [ɪt pəft əˈweɪ]) without speaking(without uttering any words. [wɪˈθaʊt ˈspikɪŋ]), but at last(finally; after a period of time. [bət æt læst]) it unfolded its arms(it straightened or extended its arms. [ɪt ənˈfoʊldəd ɪts ɑrmz]), took the hookah out of its mouth(removed the smoking pipe from its mouth. [tʊk ðə hookah aʊt əv ɪts maʊθ]) again(once more; another time. [əˈgɛn]), and said(and spoke the following words. [ənd sɛd]), 'So you think(Therefore, you believe. [soʊ ju θɪŋk]) you're changed, do you(you have undergone a transformation, is that correct? [jʊr ʧeɪnʤd du ju])?'
'I'm(contraction of 'I am' [əm]) afraid(feeling fear or apprehension; in this context, used as a polite expression of regret or disagreement [əˈfreɪd]) I am, sir(polite affirmation, addressing someone respectfully as 'sir' [aɪ æm sər]),' said(past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]) Alice(the name of the character speaking [ˈælɪs]); 'I can't(contraction of 'I cannot', expressing inability [aɪ kænt]) remember(to recall something from the past [rɪˈmɛmbər]) things(events, facts, or details [θɪŋz]) as(in the same way that [ɛz]) I used(short for 'I used to', indicating a past habit or state [aɪ juzd])—and(conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) I don't(contraction of 'I do not', expressing negation [aɪ doʊnt]) keep(to maintain or stay in a certain state [kip]) the same size(referring to her physical dimensions not remaining constant [ðə seɪm saɪz]) for(during a period of time [fər]) ten minutes(a short duration of time [tɛn ˈmɪnəts]) together(in succession; without interruption, emphasizing the rapid changes [təˈgɛðər])!'
'Can't(contraction of 'cannot', expressing inability [kænt]) remember(to recall something from the past [rɪˈmɛmbər]) WHAT(used to ask for specific information [wət]) things(plural of 'thing', referring to objects, events, or concepts [θɪŋz])?' said(past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]) the Caterpillar(referring to the character of the Caterpillar [ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]).
'Well(an introductory word, often used to start a sentence or indicate a pause [wɛl]), I've(contraction of 'I have' [aɪv]) tried(past participle of 'try', meaning to make an effort [traɪd]) to say(to utter words [tɪ seɪ]) "HOW DOTH THE LITTLE BUSY BEE(the title/first line of a poem [haʊ dɔθ ðə ˈlɪtəl ˈbɪzi bi])," but(conjunction indicating contrast [bət]) it(refers to the attempt to recite the poem [ɪt]) all(completely [ɔl]) came(past tense of 'come', meaning to result or turn out [keɪm]) different(not the same; altered [ˈdɪfərənt])!' Alice(the name of the character speaking [ˈælɪs]) replied(past tense of 'reply', meaning to answer [rɪˈplaɪd]) in(expressing the manner or style of the reply [ɪn]) a very melancholy voice(a sad and thoughtful tone [ə ˈvɛri ˈmɛlənˌkɑli vɔɪs]).
'Repeat(to say something again [rɪˈpit]), "YOU ARE OLD, FATHER WILLIAM(the title/first line of a poem [ju ər oʊld ˈfɑðər ˈwɪljəm]),"' said(past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]) the Caterpillar(referring to the character of the Caterpillar [ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]).
Alice(the name of the character [ˈælɪs]) folded(past tense of 'fold', meaning to bend or креасе [ˈfoʊldɪd]) her(possessive pronoun referring to Alice [hər]) hands(plural of 'hand', the body part [hænz]), and(conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]) began(past tense of 'begin', meaning to start [bɪˈgæn-]):—
'You(second person singular pronoun, referring to Father William [ju]) are(present tense of 'be' [ər]) old(advanced in years [oʊld]), Father(term of respect for an elderly man [ˈfɑðər]) William(the name of the person being addressed [ˈwɪljəm]),' the young(being in an early stage of life or development [ðə jəŋ]) man(an adult male [mæn]) said,
'And(conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) your(possessive pronoun, referring to Father William [jʊr]) hair(the strands that grow on the head [hɛr]) has(third person singular present tense of 'have' [həz]) become(past participle of 'become', meaning to come to be [bɪˈkəm]) very(to a great degree [ˈvɛri]) white(lacking color; pale [waɪt]);
And(conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) yet(nevertheless; despite something [jɛt]) you(second person singular pronoun, referring to Father William [ju]) incessantly(without interruption; constantly [ˌɪnˈsɛsəntli]) stand(to be in an upright position [stænd]) on(supported by [ɔn]) your(possessive pronoun, referring to Father William [jʊr]) head(the part of the body above the neck [hɛd-])—
Do you think(asking for someone's opinion or belief about something [du ju θɪŋk]), at your age(considering how old someone is [æt jʊr eɪʤ]), it is right(whether something is morally or ethically correct or appropriate [ɪt ɪz raɪt])?'
'In my youth(during the time when I was young [ɪn maɪ juθ]),' Father William(a character in the poem, referred to by his title and name [ˈfɑðər ˈwɪljəm]) replied to his son(answered his son [rɪˈplaɪd tɪ hɪz sən]),
'I feared(I was afraid [aɪ fɪrd]) it might injure(it could potentially harm [ɪt maɪt ˈɪnʤər]) the brain(the organ in the head responsible for thought, feeling, and control of the body [ðə breɪn]);
But, now that I'm perfectly sure(However, since I am completely certain [bət naʊ ðət əm ˈpərfəktli ʃʊr]) I have none(I do not have a brain [aɪ hæv nən]),
Why, I do it again and again(Therefore, I repeat the action many times [waɪ aɪ du ɪt əˈgɛn ənd əˈgɛn]).'
'You are old(You are advanced in age [ju ər oʊld]),' said the youth(the young person speaking [sɛd ðə juθ]), 'as I mentioned before(as I previously stated [ɛz aɪ ˈmɛnʃənd ˌbiˈfɔr]),
And have grown(And you have become [ənd hæv groʊn]) most uncommonly fat(extremely overweight [moʊst ˌənˈkɑmənli fæt]);
Yet you turned(Despite that, you performed [jɛt ju tərnd]) a back-somersault(an acrobatic movement where one flips backwards [ə back-somersault]) in at the door(entering through the doorway [ɪn æt ðə dɔr])—