"Even(used to emphasize something surprising or extreme [ˈivɪn]) flowers(the seed-bearing part of a plant, consisting of petals, stamens, and pistils [flaʊərz]) that(referring to the flowers [ðət]) have(to possess or hold something [hæv]) thorns(a stiff, sharp-pointed spine on a plant [θɔrnz])?"
"Yes(affirmative response [jɛs]), even(used to emphasize something surprising or extreme [ˈivɪn]) flowers(the seed-bearing part of a plant, consisting of petals, stamens, and pistils [flaʊərz]) that(referring to the flowers [ðət]) have(to possess or hold something [hæv]) thorns(a stiff, sharp-pointed spine on a plant [θɔrnz])."
"Then(as a consequence; therefore [ðɛn]) the thorns(the stiff, sharp-pointed spines on a plant [ðə θɔrnz]) — what use(what purpose or function [wət juz]) are they(do they serve [ər ðeɪ])?"
I did not know(I was unaware; I lacked the information [aɪ dɪd nɑt noʊ]). At that moment(at that specific point in time [æt ðət ˈmoʊmənt]) I was(past tense of 'I am' [aɪ wɑz]) very busy(occupied with a lot of activity or tasks [ˈvɛri ˈbɪzi]) trying(making an effort; attempting [traɪɪŋ]) to unscrew(to loosen or remove by turning [tɪ unscrew]) a bolt(a metal pin or rod, usually threaded, used to fasten things together [ə boʊlt]) that(referring to the bolt [ðət]) had got stuck(became fixed or unable to move [hæd gɑt stək]) in my engine(inside the motor that powers the plane [ɪn maɪ ˈɪnʤən]). I was(past tense of 'I am' [aɪ wɑz]) very much worried(extremely concerned or anxious [ˈvɛri məʧ ˈwərid]), for(because; since [fər]) it was becoming clear(it was starting to be obvious [ɪt wɑz bɪˈkəmɪŋ klɪr]) to me(in my opinion or understanding [tɪ mi]) that(introducing a clause [ðət]) the breakdown(the failure or malfunction [ðə ˈbreɪkˌdaʊn]) of my plane(of the aircraft I was flying [əv maɪ pleɪn]) was(past tense of 'is' [wɑz]) extremely serious(very severe or critical [ɪkˈstrimli ˈsɪriəs]). And(in addition; also [ənd]) I had(past tense of 'I have' [aɪ hæd]) so little(such a small amount of [soʊ ˈlɪtəl]) drinking-water(water suitable for drinking [drinking-water]) left(remaining; not used up [lɛft]) that(to such a degree that [ðət]) I had to fear(I was compelled to be afraid [aɪ hæd tɪ fɪr]) for the worst(that the most terrible thing would happen [fər ðə wərst]).
"The thorns(sharp, pointed structures on a plant stem [ðə θɔrnz]) — what use(what purpose or benefit [wət juz]) are they(linking verb indicating existence or state of being [ər ðeɪ])?"
The little prince(the young protagonist of the story [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]) never let go(persistently pursued; did not abandon [ˈnɛvər lɛt goʊ]) of a question(an inquiry or something asked [əv ə kˈwɛʃən]), once he had asked it(after he had posed the question [wəns hi hæd æst ɪt]). As for me(regarding myself; concerning my own situation [ɛz fər mi]), I was upset(I was bothered or worried [aɪ wɑz ˈəpˌsɛt]) over that bolt(concerning the mechanical fastener [ˈoʊvər ðət boʊlt]). And I answered(I responded verbally [ənd aɪ ˈænsərd]) with the first thing(with the initial thought [wɪθ ðə fərst θɪŋ]) that came into my head(that occurred to me immediately [ðət keɪm ˈɪntu maɪ hɛd]):
"The thorns(sharp, pointed structures on a plant stem [ðə θɔrnz]) are of no use(have no purpose or benefit [ər əv noʊ juz]) at all(in any way; to any extent [æt ɔl]). Flowers(the seed-bearing part of a plant, consisting of reproductive organs surrounded by brightly colored petals [flaʊərz]) have thorns(possess sharp, pointed structures [hæv θɔrnz]) just for spite(solely out of malice or ill will [ʤɪst fər spaɪt])!"
"Oh!"
There was(indicates the existence of something [ðɛr wɑz]) a moment of complete silence(a short period with absolutely no sound [ə ˈmoʊmənt əv kəmˈplit ˈsaɪləns]). Then(at that time; after that [ðɛn]) the little prince(the young protagonist of the story [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]) flashed back(responded quickly and sharply [flæʃt bæk]) at me(towards me [æt mi]), with a kind of resentfulness(with a feeling of bitterness or indignation [wɪθ ə kaɪnd əv resentfulness]):
"I don't believe you(I do not accept what you are saying as true [aɪ doʊnt bɪˈliv ju])! Flowers(the seed-bearing part of a plant, consisting of reproductive organs surrounded by brightly colored petals [flaʊərz]) are weak creatures(are fragile and vulnerable beings [ər wik ˈkriʧərz]). They are naïve(They are innocent and unsophisticated [ðeɪ ər naïve]). They reassure themselves(They comfort or convince themselves [ðeɪ ˌriəˈʃʊr ðɛmˈsɛlvz]) as best they can(in the best way they are able to [ɛz bɛst ðeɪ kən]). They believe(They hold the opinion or conviction [ðeɪ bɪˈliv]) that their thorns(that their sharp, pointed structures [ðət ðɛr θɔrnz]) are terrible weapons(are frightening and powerful means of defense [ər ˈtɛrəbəl ˈwɛpənz])..."
I(the speaker or writer [aɪ]) did not answer(refrained from responding or replying [dɪd nɑt ˈænsər]). At that instant(at that precise moment in time [æt ðət ˈɪnstənt]) I(the speaker or writer [aɪ]) was saying(expressing or thinking [wɑz seɪɪŋ]) to myself(thinking silently [tɪ ˌmaɪˈsɛlf]): "If(introducing a conditional clause [ɪf]) this bolt(a metal pin or rod used to fasten things together [ðɪs boʊlt]) still(continuing to be the case; even now [stɪl]) won't turn(will not rotate or move [woʊnt tərn]), I(the speaker or writer [aɪ]) am going to(expressing future intention [æm goʊɪŋ tɪ]) knock it out(to dislodge or remove something by hitting it [nɑk ɪt aʊt]) with the hammer(using the tool designed for striking [wɪθ ðə ˈhæmər])." Again(once more; another time [əˈgɛn]) the little prince(referring to a character in the story [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]) disturbed(interrupted or disrupted [dɪˈstərbd]) my thoughts(the speaker's mental processes [maɪ θɔts]):
"And(used to introduce an additional comment or question [ənd]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) actually(in fact; really [ˈæˌkʧuəli]) believe(accept as true; have faith in [bɪˈliv]) that(introducing a clause [ðət]) the flowers(the blooming plants [ðə flaʊərz]) — "
"Oh(an exclamation of surprise, pain, or other emotion [oʊ]), no(a negative response [noʊ])!" I(the speaker or writer [aɪ]) cried(exclaimed loudly [kraɪd]). "No(a negative response [noʊ]), no(a negative response [noʊ]), no(a negative response [noʊ])! I(the speaker or writer [aɪ]) don't believe(do not accept as true [doʊnt bɪˈliv]) anything(any matter or thing whatsoever [ˈɛniˌθɪŋ]). I(the speaker or writer [aɪ]) answered(responded [ˈænsərd]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) with the first thing(the initial thought or response [wɪθ ðə fərst θɪŋ]) that came into my head(that occurred to me immediately [ðət keɪm ˈɪntu maɪ hɛd]). Don't you see(do you not understand [doʊnt ju si]) — I(the speaker or writer [aɪ]) am(first person singular present of 'be' [æm]) very busy(occupied with activity [ˈvɛri ˈbɪzi]) with matters of consequence(with important affairs [wɪθ ˈmætərz əv ˈkɑnsəkwəns])!"
He(referring to the little prince [hi]) stared(looked intently [stɛrd]) at me(at the speaker [æt mi]), thunderstruck(extremely surprised or shocked [ˈθəndərˌstrək]).
"Matters of consequence(important affairs [ˈmætərz əv ˈkɑnsəkwəns])!"
He(referring to the little prince [hi]) looked(used his sight [lʊkt]) at me(at the speaker [æt mi]) there(in that place [ðɛr]), with my hammer(holding the tool for striking [wɪθ maɪ ˈhæmər]) in my hand(being held by the speaker [ɪn maɪ hænd]), my fingers(the speaker's digits [maɪ ˈfɪŋgərz]) black(dark in color [blæk]) with engine-grease(covered in lubricant used in engines [wɪθ engine-grease]), bending down(lowering the body [ˈbɛndɪŋ daʊn]) over an object(positioned above a thing [ˈoʊvər ən ˈɑbʤɛkt]) which(referring to the object [wɪʧ]) seemed(appeared [simd]) to him(to the little prince [tɪ ɪm]) extremely ugly(very unattractive [ɪkˈstrimli ˈəgli])...
"You(refers to the person being addressed [ju]) talk(to express oneself in speech [tɔk]) just like(in the same manner as [ʤɪst laɪk]) the grown-ups(adults [ðə ˈgroʊˌnəps])!"
That(refers to the previous statement [ðət]) made(caused to be or become [meɪd]) me(the speaker [mi]) a little(slightly; to some extent [ə ˈlɪtəl]) ashamed(feeling embarrassment or guilt because of one's actions, characteristics, or associations [əˈʃeɪmd]). But(used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said [bət]) he(refers to a male person or animal previously mentioned [hi]) went on(continued [wɛnt ɔn]), relentlessly(in an unceasingly intense or harsh way [rɪˈlɛntləsli]):
"You(refers to the person being addressed [ju]) mix(to combine or put together to form one mass or collection [mɪks]) everything(all things; all aspects of a situation [ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ]) up together(to combine things in a confused or disordered way [əp təˈgɛðər])... You(refers to the person being addressed [ju]) confuse(to make unclear or bewildering [kənfˈjuz]) everything(all things; all aspects of a situation [ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ])..."
He(refers to a male person or animal previously mentioned [hi]) was(past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]) really(in fact; actually [ˈrɪli]) very(to a high degree; extremely [ˈvɛri]) angry(feeling or showing strong annoyance, displeasure, or hostility [ˈæŋgri]). He(refers to a male person or animal previously mentioned [hi]) tossed(to throw or fling something lightly [tɔst]) his(belonging to or associated with a male person or animal previously mentioned [hɪz]) golden(of a yellow color resembling gold [ˈgoʊldən]) curls(a lock of hair that has been shaped into a ringlet or coil [kərlz]) in the breeze(a gentle wind [ɪn ðə briz]).
"I(the speaker or writer [aɪ]) know(to be aware of through observation, inquiry, or information [noʊ]) a planet(a celestial body moving in an elliptical orbit around a star [ə ˈplænət]) where(in or to which place or position [wɛr]) there is(used to indicate the existence or presence of something [ðɛr ɪz]) a certain(known but not specified [ə ˈsərtən]) red-faced(having a red face, typically due to embarrassment, anger, or exertion [red-faced]) gentleman(a polite or formal way of referring to a man [ˈʤɛnəlmən]). He(refers to a male person or animal previously mentioned [hi]) has never(at no time in the past [həz ˈnɛvər]) smelled(to perceive or detect the odor of something [smɛld]) a flower(the seed-bearing part of a plant, consisting of reproductive organs and petals [ə flaʊər]). He(refers to a male person or animal previously mentioned [hi]) has never(at no time in the past [həz ˈnɛvər]) looked at(to turn one's eyes in a specified direction [lʊkt æt]) a star(a fixed luminous point in the night sky which is a large, remote incandescent body like the sun [ə stɑr]). He(refers to a male person or animal previously mentioned [hi]) has never(at no time in the past [həz ˈnɛvər]) loved(felt deep affection for [ləvd]) any one(any person [ˈɛni wən]). He(refers to a male person or animal previously mentioned [hi]) has never(at no time in the past [həz ˈnɛvər]) done(performed; carried out [dən]) anything(a thing of any kind [ˈɛniˌθɪŋ]) in his life(during the time that someone has been alive [ɪn hɪz laɪf]) but(except; only [bət]) add up(to calculate the total of a set of numbers or amounts [æd əp]) figures(numerical symbols [ˈfɪgjərz]). And(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) all day(the whole day [ɔl deɪ]) he(refers to a male person or animal previously mentioned [hi]) says over and over(to repeat something many times [sɪz ˈoʊvər ənd ˈoʊvər]), just like(in the same manner as [ʤɪst laɪk]) you(the person being addressed [ju]): 'I am busy(occupied; engaged in an activity [aɪ æm ˈbɪzi]) with matters(a subject or subjects under consideration [wɪθ ˈmætərz]) of consequence(importance; significance [əv ˈkɑnsəkwəns])!' And(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) that(used to identify a specific thing observed or heard by the speaker [ðət]) makes(to cause to be or become [meɪks]) him(refers to a male person or animal previously mentioned [ɪm]) swell up(to increase in size or volume [swɛl əp]) with pride(a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired [wɪθ praɪd]). But(used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said [bət]) he(refers to a male person or animal previously mentioned [hi]) is not(is not [ɪz nɑt]) a man(an adult male human being [ə mæn]) — he is(he is [hi ɪz]) a mushroom(a fungal growth that typically takes the form of a domed cap on a stalk, often edible [ə ˈməʃrum])!"