Pray, what is the reason of that(Please tell me, what is the explanation for that [preɪ wət ɪz ðə ˈrizən əv ðət])?'
'In my youth(When I was young [ɪn maɪ juθ]),' said the sage(said the wise man [sɛd ðə seɪʤ]), as he shook his grey locks(while he moved his grey hair [ɛz hi ʃʊk hɪz greɪ lɑks]),
'I kept(I maintained [aɪ kɛpt]) all my limbs(all my arms and legs [ɔl maɪ lɪmz]) very supple(very flexible [ˈvɛri ˈsəpəl])
By the use of(Through the application of [baɪ ðə juz əv]) this ointment(this medicinal cream [ðɪs ˈɔɪntmənt])—one shilling the box(costing one shilling per box [wən ˈʃɪlɪŋ ðə bɑks])—
Allow me(a polite way of asking permission to do something [əˈlaʊ mi]) to sell(to offer something for sale [tɪ sɛl]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) a couple(two items; in this context, likely referring to two of something being sold [ə ˈkəpəl])?'
'You are old(statement acknowledging the person's advanced age [ju ər oʊld]),' said(the act of speaking or uttering words [sɛd]) the youth(a young person [ðə juθ]), 'and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) your jaws(plural of jaw, either of the upper or lower bony structures in the mouth that hold the teeth [jʊr ʤɔz]) are(present tense form of the verb 'to be' [ər]) too weak(lacking physical strength or power to perform a task [tu wik])
For(used to indicate the reason or purpose of something [fər]) anything(used to refer to one or some thing of any type [ˈɛniˌθɪŋ]) tougher(more difficult to chew or break; more resilient [ˈtəfər]) than(used to introduce the second element in a comparison [ðən]) suet(the hard white fat on the loins and kidneys of cattle, sheep, and other animals, used to make foods such as puddings and dumplings [suet]);
Yet(nevertheless; despite something [jɛt]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) finished(completed; brought to an end [ˈfɪnɪʃt]) the goose(a large waterbird with a long neck and webbed feet, often eaten as food [ðə gus]), with(accompanied by; including [wɪθ]) the bones(plural of bone, the rigid parts of the skeleton [ðə boʊnz]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) the beak(the projecting mouth of a bird [ðə bik])—
Pray(an old-fashioned way of saying 'please', used to make a polite request [preɪ]) how(in what way or manner [haʊ]) did(auxiliary verb used to form the past tense [dɪd]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) manage(succeed in doing something, especially with difficulty [ˈmænɪʤ]) to do(to perform or carry out an action [tɪ du]) it(referring to the act of finishing the goose with the bones and the beak [ɪt])?'
'In my youth(during the time when I was young [ɪn maɪ juθ]),' said(the act of speaking or uttering words [sɛd]) his father(the male parent [hɪz ˈfɑðər]), 'I took to the law(I decided to study and practice law [aɪ tʊk tɪ ðə lɔ]),
And(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) argued(gave reasons or cited evidence in support of an idea, action, or theory, typically with the aim of persuading others to share one's view [ˈɑrgjud]) each case(every instance or situation [iʧ keɪs]) with(involving; against [wɪθ]) my wife(the woman to whom I am married [maɪ waɪf]);
And(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) the muscular strength(the physical power and force of the muscles [ðə ˈməskjələr strɛŋθ]), which(used to introduce a relative clause referring to a thing or things previously mentioned [wɪʧ]) it(referring to arguing each case with his wife [ɪt]) gave(past tense of 'give', meaning to provide or impart something [geɪv]) to my jaw(to the speaker's jaw, the bony structure of the mouth [tɪ maɪ ʤɔ]),
Has lasted(has continued or remained in effect [həz ˈlæstɪd]) the rest(the remaining part [ðə rɛst]) of my life(of the speaker's lifetime [əv maɪ laɪf]).'
'You are old(statement acknowledging the person's advanced age [ju ər oʊld]),' said(the act of speaking or uttering words [sɛd]) the youth(a young person [ðə juθ]), 'one(referring to a person in general [wən]) would hardly suppose(would not easily believe or imagine [wʊd ˈhɑrdli səˈpoʊz])
That(introducing a clause [ðət]) your eye(the organ of sight [jʊr aɪ]) was(past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]) as steady(stable and unwavering [ɛz ˈstɛdi]) as ever(to the same degree as at any time in the past [ɛz ˈɛvər]);
Yet(Nevertheless; despite something [jɛt]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) balanced(kept steady in an upright position [ˈbælənst]) an eel(a snake-like fish [ən il]) on the end of your nose(placed precariously at the tip of your nose [ɔn ðə ɛnd əv jʊr noʊz])—
What(asking for information specifying something [wət]) made(caused to be or do something [meɪd]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) so awfully(to such a great extent; very [soʊ ˈɔfəli]) clever(intelligent and quick-witted [ˈklɛvər])?'
'I have answered(I've provided responses to [aɪ hæv ˈænsərd]) three questions(a set of three inquiries [θri kˈwɛsʧənz]), and(conjunction indicating addition [ənd]) that(referring to the previous statement [ðət]) is(verb 'to be' [ɪz]) enough(sufficient; adequate [ɪˈnəf]),'
Said(past tense of 'say', used for narration [sɛd]) his father(the speaker's male parent [hɪz ˈfɑðər]); 'don't(contraction of 'do not', expressing a negative command [doʊnt]) give yourself airs(behave as if you are more important than you really are [gɪv ˈjɔrsɛlf ɛrz])!
Do you think(Are you of the opinion [du ju θɪŋk]) I(the speaker [aɪ]) can(able to [kən]) listen(pay attention to sound [ˈlɪsən]) all day(the entire day [ɔl deɪ]) to such stuff(to such nonsense or rubbish [tɪ səʧ stəf])?
Be off(Go away; leave [bi ɔf]), or(otherwise [ər]) I'll(contraction of 'I will', indicating a future action [aɪl]) kick(strike with the foot [kɪk]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) down stairs(to a lower level using the staircase [daʊn stɛrz])!'
'That(referring to something previously mentioned [ðət]) is(verb 'to be' [ɪz]) not(negative particle [nɑt]) said(spoken [sɛd]) right(correctly [raɪt]),' said(past tense of 'say', used for narration [sɛd]) the Caterpillar(a specific character, a caterpillar [ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]).
'Not(negative particle [nɑt]) QUITE(completely; entirely [kwaɪt]) right(correct [raɪt]), I'm afraid(I suspect; I think it's likely [əm əˈfreɪd]),' said(past tense of 'say', used for narration [sɛd]) Alice(a proper noun, a name [ˈælɪs]), timidly(in a shy or hesitant manner [ˈtɪmədli]); 'some of the words(a few of the terms [səm əv ðə wərdz]) have got altered(have been changed [hæv gɑt ˈɔltərd]).'
'It(referring to something previously mentioned, likely the statement [ɪt]) is(verb 'to be' [ɪz]) wrong(incorrect [rɔŋ]) from beginning to end(completely incorrect from start to finish [frəm bɪˈgɪnɪŋ tɪ ɛnd]),' said(past tense of 'say', used for narration [sɛd]) the Caterpillar(a specific character, a caterpillar [ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]) decidedly(without hesitation; definitely [ˌdɪˈsaɪdədli]), and(conjunction indicating addition [ənd]) there was silence(a period of no sound [ðɛr wɑz ˈsaɪləns]) for some minutes(lasting a few minutes [fər səm ˈmɪnəts]).
The Caterpillar(Refers to a specific caterpillar, likely a character in a story [ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]) was(Past tense of the verb 'to be' [wɑz]) the first(Indicates that this caterpillar was the initial one [ðə fərst]) to speak(To utter words; to be the first to talk [tɪ spik]).
'What size(Inquiring about the dimensions or magnitude [wət saɪz]) do you want(Expressing a desire or preference [du ju wɔnt]) to be(To exist in a certain state or condition [tɪ bi])?' it(Referring to the Caterpillar [ɪt]) asked(Inquired or posed a question [æst]).
'Oh(An exclamation, often expressing surprise or mild emphasis [oʊ]), I'm not particular(Expressing that one does not have strong preferences [əm nɑt ˌpɑˈtɪkjələr]) as to size(Regarding the dimension or magnitude [ɛz tɪ saɪz]),' (Punctuation mark used to separate clauses or phrases)Alice(Name of the character [ˈælɪs]) hastily(Done with speed or urgency [ˈheɪstəli]) replied(Answered or responded [rɪˈplaɪd]); (Punctuation mark used to separate clauses or phrases)'only one(Referring to a person in general [ˈoʊnli wən]) doesn't like(Expressing a dislike or aversion [ˈdəzənt laɪk]) changing(Transforming or altering [ˈʧeɪnʤɪŋ]) so often(Frequently or repeatedly [soʊ ˈɔfən]), (Punctuation mark used to separate clauses or phrases)you know(An expression used to seek agreement or understanding [ju noʊ]).'
'I DON'T know(Expressing a lack of awareness or understanding, with emphasis on 'DON'T' [aɪ doʊnt noʊ]),' (Punctuation mark used to separate clauses or phrases)said(Spoke or uttered [sɛd]) the Caterpillar(Referring to the character [ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]).
Alice(Name of the character [ˈælɪs]) said(Spoke or uttered [sɛd]) nothing(No words or statements [ˈnəθɪŋ]): (Punctuation mark used to introduce an explanation or list)she(Referring to Alice [ʃi]) had never been(Expressing a past experience [hæd ˈnɛvər bɪn]) so much(To a great extent or degree [soʊ məʧ]) contradicted(Opposed or disagreed with [ˌkɑntrəˈdɪktəd]) in her life(During her existence [ɪn hər laɪf]) before(Previously or earlier [ˌbiˈfɔr]), (Punctuation mark used to separate clauses or phrases)and(Conjunction used to connect clauses or phrases [ənd]) she(Referring to Alice [ʃi]) felt(Experienced an emotion or sensation [fɛlt]) that(Conjunction used to introduce a subordinate clause [ðət]) she(Referring to Alice [ʃi]) was losing(In the process of losing [wɑz ˈluzɪŋ]) her temper(Becoming angry or irritated [hər ˈtɛmpər]).
'Are you content(Asking if someone is satisfied or pleased [ər ju ˈkɑntɛnt]) now(At the present time [naʊ])?' said(Spoke or uttered [sɛd]) the Caterpillar(Referring to the character [ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]).
'Well(An introductory word, often used to express hesitation or mild surprise [wɛl]), (Punctuation mark used to separate clauses or phrases)I should like(Expressing a polite desire or preference [aɪ ʃʊd laɪk]) to be(To exist in a certain state or condition [tɪ bi]) a LITTLE larger(Slightly bigger in size [ə ˈlɪtəl ˈlɑrʤər]), (Punctuation mark used to separate clauses or phrases)sir(A polite form of address to a man [sər]), (Punctuation mark used to separate clauses or phrases)if you wouldn't mind(A polite expression asking for consideration [ɪf ju ˈwʊdənt maɪnd]),' (Punctuation mark used to separate clauses or phrases)said(Spoke or uttered [sɛd]) Alice(Name of the character [ˈælɪs]): (Punctuation mark used to introduce an explanation or list)'three inches(A measurement of length [θri ˈɪnʧɪz]) is(Present tense of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]) such a wretched height(A very undesirable or pitiful height [səʧ ə ˈrɛʧɪd haɪt]) to be(To exist in a certain state or condition [tɪ bi]).'
'It is(Contraction of 'It is', used for emphasis or to state a fact [ɪt ɪz]) a very good height(an above-average or desirable height [ə ˈvɛri gʊd haɪt]) indeed(an intensifier, emphasizing the preceding statement [ˌɪnˈdid])!' said(past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]) the Caterpillar(referring to a specific character, a caterpillar [ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]) angrily(in an angry manner [ˈæŋgrəli]), rearing itself upright(raising its body to stand on its hind legs [ˈrɪrɪŋ ˌɪtˈsɛlf ˈəˌpraɪt]) as it spoke(while it was speaking [ɛz ɪt spoʊk]) (it was exactly three inches high(parenthetical statement indicating the caterpillar's height [(ɪt wɑz ɪgˈzæktli θri ˈɪnʧɪz haɪ)])).
'But I'm(Contraction of 'but I am', indicating a contrast to a previous statement [bət əm]) not used to it(not accustomed or familiar with the situation [nɑt juzd tɪ ɪt])!' pleaded(begged or requested earnestly [ˈplidɪd]) poor Alice(Alice is described as poor, implying sympathy [pur ˈælɪs]) in a piteous tone(in a manner expressing sorrow or suffering [ɪn ə piteous toʊn]). And she thought of herself(Alice is thinking to herself [ənd ʃi θɔt əv hərˈsɛlf]), 'I wish(expressing a desire or hope [aɪ wɪʃ]) the creatures(referring to the animals or beings in the story [ðə ˈkriʧərz]) wouldn't be(expressing a desire for them not to be [ˈwʊdənt bi]) so easily offended(easily upset or angered [soʊ ˈizəli əˈfɛndɪd])!'
'You'll(Contraction of 'you will', indicating a future action [jul]) get used to it(become accustomed to something [gɪt juzd tɪ ɪt]) in time(eventually; after a period of time [ɪn taɪm]),' said(past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]) the Caterpillar(referring to a specific character, a caterpillar [ðə ˈkætəˌpɪlər]); and it(referring to the Caterpillar [ənd ɪt]) put(past tense of 'put', meaning to place something [pʊt]) the hookah(a type of water pipe [ðə hookah]) into its mouth(placing the hookah in its mouth [ˈɪntu ɪts maʊθ]) and began(started to [ənd bɪˈgæn]) smoking again(continuing to smoke [sˈmoʊkɪŋ əˈgɛn]).