Perhaps(possibly; maybe [pərˈhæps]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) will(auxiliary verb used to express future tense or intention [wɪl]) ask(to put a question to someone [æsk]) me(the speaker or writer referring to himself or herself [mi]), "Why(for what reason or purpose [waɪ]) are(present tense form of the verb 'to be' [ər]) there(used to indicate the existence or presence of something [ðɛr]) no other(not any others; none else [noʊ ˈəðər]) drawing(a picture or diagram made with a pencil, pen, or crayon rather than paint [drɔɪŋ]) in(expressing the situation of something surrounded or enclosed [ɪn]) this(referring to something nearby or being mentioned [ðɪs]) book(a written or printed work consisting of pages glued or sewn together along one side and bound in covers [bʊk]) as(used to compare things [ɛz]) magnificent(extremely beautiful, elaborate, or impressive [mægˈnɪfɪsənt]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) impressive(evoking admiration through size, quality, or skill; grand, imposing, or awesome [ˌɪmˈprɛsɪv]) as(used to compare things [ɛz]) this(referring to something nearby or being mentioned [ðɪs]) drawing(a picture or diagram made with a pencil, pen, or crayon rather than paint [drɔɪŋ]) of(expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]) the(denoting one or more people or things already mentioned or known about [ðə]) baobabs(a short, thick tree of tropical Africa [baobabs])?" The(denoting one or more people or things already mentioned or known about [ðə]) reply(a verbal or written answer [rɪˈplaɪ]) is(present tense form of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]) simple(easily understood or done; presenting no difficulty [ˈsɪmpəl]). I(the person speaking or writing [aɪ]) have tried(to make an attempt or effort to do something [hæv traɪd]). But(used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said [bət]) with(expressing accompaniment or association [wɪθ]) the others(the remaining people or things of the same kind [ðə ˈəðərz]) I(the person speaking or writing [aɪ]) have not been(negative form of 'have been', indicating something that has not happened or existed [hæv nɑt bɪn]) successful(accomplishing an aim or purpose [səkˈsɛsfəl]). When(at or during the time that [wɪn]) I(the person speaking or writing [aɪ]) made(past tense of 'make', meaning to create or produce something [meɪd]) the(denoting one or more people or things already mentioned or known about [ðə]) drawing(a picture or diagram made with a pencil, pen, or crayon rather than paint [drɔɪŋ]) of(expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]) the(denoting one or more people or things already mentioned or known about [ðə]) baobabs(a short, thick tree of tropical Africa [baobabs]) I(the person speaking or writing [aɪ]) was carried(past tense of 'to be carried', meaning to be moved or transported [wɑz ˈkɛrid]) beyond(at or to the further side of [bɪɔnd]) myself(used by a speaker to refer to his or her own self as the object of a verb or preposition [ˌmaɪˈsɛlf]) by(expressing the agent performing an action [baɪ]) the(denoting one or more people or things already mentioned or known about [ðə]) inspiring(having the effect of inspiring someone [ˌɪnˈspaɪərɪŋ]) force(strength or energy as an attribute of physical action or movement [fɔrs]) of(expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]) urgent(requiring immediate action or attention [ˈərʤənt]) necessity(the state of being required or indispensable [nəˈsɛsɪti]).
The(denoting one or more people or things already mentioned or known about [ðə]) baobabs(a short, thick tree of tropical Africa [baobabs])
VI
Oh(an exclamation expressing surprise, pain, or pleasure [oʊ]), little(small in size [ˈlɪtəl]) prince(the son of a king or queen [prɪns])! Bit by bit(gradually; little by little [bɪt baɪ bɪt]) I(the person speaking or writing [aɪ]) came(past tense of 'come', meaning to move or travel towards or into a place [keɪm]) to(expressing motion in the direction of (a particular location [tɪ]) understand(perceive the intended meaning of (words, a language, or a speaker [ˌəndərˈstænd]) the(denoting one or more people or things already mentioned or known about [ðə]) secrets(something kept or meant to be kept unknown or private [ˈsikrɪts]) of(expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]) your(belonging to or associated with the person or people that the speaker is addressing [jʊr]) sad(feeling or showing sorrow; unhappy [sæd]) little(small in size [ˈlɪtəl]) life(the condition that distinguishes animals and plants from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death [laɪf])... For(used to introduce the reason for something [fər]) a(used to refer to one single thing [ə]) long(measuring a great distance from end to end [lɔŋ]) time(the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole [taɪm]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) had found(past perfect tense of 'find', meaning to discover or perceive [hæd faʊnd]) your(belonging to or associated with the person or people that the speaker is addressing [jʊr]) only(single; sole [ˈoʊnli]) entertainment(the action of providing or being provided with amusement or enjoyment [ˌɛnərˈteɪnmənt]) in(expressing the situation of something surrounded or enclosed [ɪn]) the(denoting one or more people or things already mentioned or known about [ðə]) quiet(making little or no noise [kwaɪət]) pleasure(a feeling of happy satisfaction and enjoyment [ˈplɛʒər]) of(expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]) looking(the action of directing one's gaze in a specified direction [ˈlʊkɪŋ]) at(expressing location or arrival in a particular place or position [æt]) the(denoting one or more people or things already mentioned or known about [ðə]) sunset(the time in the evening when the sun disappears or daylight fades [ˈsənˌsɛt]). I(the person speaking or writing [aɪ]) learned(past tense of 'learn', meaning to gain or acquire knowledge of or skill in (something) by study, experience, or being taught [ˈlərnɪd]) that(used to identify a specific thing observed or heard by the speaker [ðət]) new(recently made, produced, or discovered [nu]) detail(an individual feature, fact, or item [ˈditeɪl]) on(expressing the surface of something [ɔn]) the(denoting one or more people or things already mentioned or known about [ðə]) morning(the period of time between sunrise and noon [ˈmɔrnɪŋ]) of(expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]) the(denoting one or more people or things already mentioned or known about [ðə]) fourth(constituting number four in a sequence; 4th [fɔrθ]) day(each of the twenty-four-hour periods, reckoned from one midnight to the next, into which a year is divided, and corresponding to the rotation of the earth on its axis [deɪ]), when(at or during the time that [wɪn]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) said(past tense of 'say', meaning to utter words so as to convey information, an opinion, a feeling or intention [sɛd]) to(expressing motion in the direction of (a particular location [tɪ]) me(the speaker or writer referring to himself or herself [mi]):
"I am(a common expression; 'I' is the subject, and 'am' is the present tense form of the verb 'to be' [aɪ æm]) very fond of(to like something very much; to have a strong preference for something [ˈvɛri fɑnd əv]) sunsets(the daily disappearance of the sun below the horizon; the time when the sun goes down [ˈsənˌsɛts]). Come(used to invite someone to do something or go somewhere [kəm]), let us(a suggestion or invitation for the speaker and listener to do something together; a more formal way of saying 'let's' [lɛt ˈjuˈɛs]) go look(to go and observe something; to direct one's gaze towards something [goʊ lʊk]) at a sunset(preposition 'at' used to indicate direction or focus; 'sunset' refers to the event of the sun setting [æt ə ˈsənˌsɛt]) now(at the present time; immediately [naʊ])."
"But(used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been said previously [bət]) we must(expresses obligation or necessity; indicates that something is required or essential [wi məst]) wait(to remain in place or postpone an action until a particular time or event [weɪt])," I said(a simple statement indicating that the speaker uttered something [aɪ sɛd]).
"Wait(to remain in place or postpone an action until a particular time or event [weɪt])? For what(asking the reason or purpose for waiting [fər wət])?"
"For the sunset(indicating the reason for waiting; 'sunset' refers to the event of the sun setting [fər ðə ˈsənˌsɛt]). We must(expresses obligation or necessity; indicates that something is required or essential [wi məst]) wait(to remain in place or postpone an action until a particular time or event [weɪt]) until(up to the point in time or the event mentioned [ənˈtɪl]) it is(referring to the time; 'it' is a placeholder pronoun [ɪt ɪz]) time(a point in the day when something should happen [taɪm])."
At first(initially; in the beginning [æt fərst]) you seemed(appeared to be; gave the impression of being [ju simd]) to be(linking verb; connects the subject to a noun or adjective that describes it [tɪ bi]) very much(to a great extent; considerably [ˈvɛri məʧ]) surprised(feeling or showing astonishment or shock [səˈpraɪzd]). And then(subsequently; after that [ənd ðɛn]) you laughed(made sounds and facial expressions expressing amusement or happiness [ju læft]) to yourself(privately; without anyone else hearing [tɪ ˈjɔrsɛlf]). You said(a simple statement indicating that the speaker uttered something [ju sɛd]) to me(directed towards the speaker [tɪ mi]):
"I am(a common expression; 'I' is the subject, and 'am' is the present tense form of the verb 'to be' [aɪ æm]) always thinking(constantly or habitually having a particular thought or idea [ˈɔlˌweɪz ˈθɪŋkɪŋ]) that(introduces a subordinate clause expressing the content of the thinking [ðət]) I am(a common expression; 'I' is the subject, and 'am' is the present tense form of the verb 'to be' [aɪ æm]) at home(in a familiar or comfortable place; where one belongs [æt hoʊm])!"
Just so(exactly; precisely as stated [ʤɪst soʊ]). Everybody knows(it is a common knowledge [ˈɛvriˌbɑdi noʊz]) that(introduces a subordinate clause expressing the content of what is known [ðət]) when(at the time that; during the period that [wɪn]) it is(referring to the time; 'it' is a placeholder pronoun [ɪt ɪz]) noon(twelve o'clock in the daytime; midday [nun]) in the United States(specifying the location where it is noon [ɪn ðə juˈnaɪtɪd steɪts]) the sun is setting(the sun is going down below the horizon [ðə sən ɪz ˈsɛtɪŋ]) over France(specifying the location where the sun is setting [ˈoʊvər fræns]). If(introducing a conditional clause [ɪf]) you could(expressing possibility or ability in a hypothetical situation [ju kʊd]) fly(to travel through the air [flaɪ]) to France(specifying the destination of the flight [tɪ fræns]) in one minute(specifying the duration of the flight [ɪn wən ˈmɪnət]), you could(expressing possibility or ability in a hypothetical situation [ju kʊd]) go straight(proceed directly; without deviating [goʊ streɪt]) into the sunset(towards the setting sun [ˈɪntu ðə ˈsənˌsɛt]), right from(immediately after; directly from [raɪt frəm]) noon(twelve o'clock in the daytime; midday [nun]). Unfortunately(regrettably; it is a pity that [ənˈfɔrʧənətli]), France(a country in Western Europe [fræns]) is too far away(is at an excessive distance [ɪz tu fɑr əˈweɪ]) for that(for the purpose mentioned previously [fər ðət]). But(used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been said previously [bət]) on your tiny planet(referring to the small planet where the little prince lives [ɔn jʊr ˈtaɪni ˈplænət]), my little prince(a term of endearment; referring to the main character of the story [maɪ ˈlɪtəl prɪns]), all you need do(the only thing you have to do [ɔl ju nid du]) is move(to change position or location [ɪz muv]) your chair(the seat you are sitting on [jʊr ʧɛr]) a few steps(a small number of paces [ə fju stɛps]). You can(expressing ability or possibility [ju kən]) see(to perceive with the eyes [si]) the day end(the conclusion of the day; the time when the day finishes [ðə deɪ ɛnd]) and(used to connect words or phrases of the same kind [ənd]) the twilight falling(the period of fading light after sunset; the gradual decrease in light intensity [ðə tˈwaɪˌlaɪt ˈfɑlɪŋ]) whenever you like(at any time that you desire; whenever you want [wɛˈnɛvər ju laɪk])...
"One day(an unspecified day in the past or future [wən deɪ])," you(the person being addressed [ju]) said(past tense of 'say', to utter words [sɛd]) to me(directed towards the speaker [tɪ mi]), "I(the speaker [aɪ]) saw(past tense of 'see', to perceive with the eyes [sɔ]) the sunset(the daily disappearance of the sun below the horizon [ðə ˈsənˌsɛt]) forty-four times(the number 44, indicating the number of occurrences [forty-four taɪmz])!"
And(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) a little later(after a short period of time [ə ˈlɪtəl ˈleɪtər]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) added(past tense of 'add', to say something more [ˈædɪd]):
"You know(an expression used to seek confirmation or understanding from the listener [ju noʊ]) — one(a person; used in a general sense [wən]) loves(present tense of 'love', to have a strong feeling of affection for [ləvz]) the sunset(the daily disappearance of the sun below the horizon [ðə ˈsənˌsɛt]), when(at or during the time that [wɪn]) one(a person; used in a general sense [wən]) is(present tense of 'be', to exist or occur [ɪz]) so sad(experiencing unhappiness or sorrow to a great degree [soʊ sæd])..."
"Were(past tense of 'be', used to indicate a state or condition in the past [wər]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) so sad(experiencing unhappiness or sorrow to a great degree [soʊ sæd]), then(at that time; in that case [ðɛn])?" I(the speaker [aɪ]) asked(past tense of 'ask', to put a question to [æst]), "on the day(referring to a specific day [ɔn ðə deɪ]) of the forty-four sunsets(referring to the day when the sunset was seen forty-four times [əv ðə forty-four ˈsənˌsɛts])?"
But(used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been said previously [bət]) the little prince(referring to a character known as the little prince [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]) made(past tense of 'make', to create or produce [meɪd]) no reply(did not answer [noʊ rɪˈplaɪ]).
Coucher de soleil.jpg
VII
On the fifth day(referring to a specific day in a sequence [ɔn ðə fɪθ deɪ]) — again(once more; another time [əˈgɛn]), as always(as is the usual case; as it always happens [ɛz ˈɔlˌweɪz]), it was thanks to(attributing something to someone or something [ɪt wɑz θæŋks tɪ]) the sheep(a farm animal [ðə ʃip]) — the secret(something kept hidden or unknown [ðə ˈsikrɪt]) of the little prince's life(referring to the life of the character known as the little prince [əv ðə ˈlɪtəl ˈprɪnsɪz laɪf]) was revealed(was made known [wɑz rɪˈvild]) to me(to the speaker [tɪ mi]). Abruptly(suddenly and unexpectedly [əˈbrəptli]), without anything to lead up to it(without any prior indication or preparation [wɪˈθaʊt ˈɛniˌθɪŋ tɪ lɛd əp tɪ ɪt]), and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) as if(in the manner of; as though [ɛz ɪf]) the question(a sentence worded or expressed so as to elicit information [ðə kˈwɛʃən]) had been born(originated or arisen [hæd bɪn bɔrn]) of long and silent meditation(resulting from prolonged and quiet contemplation [əv lɔŋ ənd ˈsaɪlənt ˌmɛdəˈteɪʃən]) on his problem(concerning the issue or difficulty he was facing [ɔn hɪz ˈprɑbləm]), he(referring to the little prince [hi]) demanded(asked forcefully or authoritatively [dɪˈmændɪd]):
"A sheep(a domestic animal that is kept for its wool and meat [ə ʃip]) — if(used to introduce a conditional clause [ɪf]) it(referring to the sheep [ɪt]) eats(to put food in your mouth and chew and swallow it [its]) little(small in size [ˈlɪtəl]) bushes(a shrub; a plant with several stems coming from the ground [ˈbʊʃəz]), does it eat(emphasizing the action of eating, asking if it also eats [dɪz ɪt it]) flowers(the seed-bearing part of a plant, consisting of petals, stamens, and pistils [flaʊərz]), too(also; in addition [tu])?"
"A sheep(a domestic animal that is kept for its wool and meat [ə ʃip])," I answered(I responded; I gave a reply [aɪ ˈænsərd]), "eats(to put food in your mouth and chew and swallow it [its]) anything(any object, event, or matter whatever [ˈɛniˌθɪŋ]) it(referring to the sheep [ɪt]) finds(to discover or perceive by chance or unexpectedly [faɪndz]) in its reach(within the area that the sheep can access or extend to [ɪn ɪts riʧ])."