The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery- page 11

"Even flowers that have thorns?"

• 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, even flowers that have thorns."

• 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 the thorns — what use are they?"

• 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 did not know: I was unaware; I lacked the information [aɪ dɪd nɑt noʊ]

At that moment I was very busy trying to unscrew a bolt that had got stuck in my engine.

• 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 very much worried, for it was becoming clear to me that the breakdown of my plane was extremely serious.

• 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 I had so little drinking-water left that I had to fear for the worst.

• 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 — what use are they?"

• 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 never let go of a question, once he had asked it.

• 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, I was upset over that bolt.

• 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]

"The thorns are of no use at all.

• 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]

"Oh!"

There was a moment of complete silence.

• 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]

"I don't believe you!

• I don't believe you: I do not accept what you are saying as true [aɪ doʊnt bɪˈliv ju]

Flowers are weak creatures.

• 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 naïve: They are innocent and unsophisticated [ðeɪ ər naïve]

They reassure themselves as best they can.

• 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]

I did not answer.

• I: the speaker or writer [aɪ]
• did not answer: refrained from responding or replying [dɪd nɑt ˈænsər]

"And you actually believe that the flowers — "

• 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, no!" I cried. "No, no, no!

• 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 don't believe anything.

• I: the speaker or writer [aɪ]
• don't believe: do not accept as true [doʊnt bɪˈliv]
• anything: any matter or thing whatsoever [ˈɛniˌθɪŋ]

I answered you with the first thing that came into my head.

• 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]

He stared at me, thunderstruck.

• 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!"

• Matters of consequence: important affairs [ˈmætərz əv ˈkɑnsəkwəns]

He looked at me there, with my hammer in my hand, my fingers black with engine-grease, bending down over an object which seemed to him extremely ugly...

• 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 talk just like the grown-ups!"

• 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 made me a little ashamed.

• 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]

"You mix everything up together...

• 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]

He was really very angry.

• 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 tossed his golden curls in the breeze.

• 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 know a planet where there is a certain red-faced gentleman.

• 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 has never smelled a flower.

• 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 has never looked at a star.

• 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 has never loved any one.

• 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 has never done anything in his life but add up figures.

• 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 all day he says over and over, just like you: 'I am busy with matters of consequence!' And that makes him swell up with pride.

• 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]