"A what?"
"A mushroom!"
The(definite article, referring to a specific little prince [ðə]) little prince(a young royal figure, often used in literature to represent innocence and wisdom [ˈlɪtəl prɪns]) was(past tense of the verb 'to be' [wɑz]) now(at the present time; at this moment [naʊ]) white with rage(an idiom describing someone who is extremely angry, often to the point of paleness [waɪt wɪθ reɪʤ]).
"The(definite article, referring to specific flowers [ðə]) flowers(the seed-bearing part of a plant, consisting of reproductive organs surrounded by brightly colored petals [flaʊərz]) have been growing(present perfect continuous tense of 'to grow', indicating an action that started in the past and continues to the present [hæv bɪn groʊɪŋ]) thorns(sharp, pointed spines on a plant [θɔrnz]) for millions of years(a very long period of time, specifically millions of years [fər ˈmɪljənz əv jɪrz]). For millions of years(a very long period of time, specifically millions of years [fər ˈmɪljənz əv jɪrz]) the sheep(plural of sheep, referring to a group of animals [ðə ʃip]) have been eating(present perfect continuous tense of 'to eat', indicating an action that started in the past and continues to the present [hæv bɪn ˈitɪŋ]) them(referring to the thorns [ðɛm]) just the same(in the same way; without any difference [ʤɪst ðə seɪm]). And(conjunction used to connect clauses or sentences [ənd]) is it not(a rhetorical question, implying agreement or emphasis [ɪz ɪt nɑt]) a matter of consequence(something important or significant [ə ˈmætər əv ˈkɑnsəkwəns]) to try to understand(to make an effort to comprehend [tɪ traɪ tɪ ˌəndərˈstænd]) why(for what reason or purpose [waɪ]) the flowers(the seed-bearing part of a plant, consisting of reproductive organs surrounded by brightly colored petals [ðə flaʊərz]) go to so much trouble(exert a great deal of effort or inconvenience [goʊ tɪ soʊ məʧ ˈtrəbəl]) to grow thorns(to develop sharp, pointed spines on a plant [tɪ groʊ θɔrnz]) which are never of any use(that provide no benefit or advantage [wɪʧ ər ˈnɛvər əv ˈɛni juz]) to them(referring to the flowers [tɪ ðɛm])? Is(form of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]) the warfare(conflict or struggle [ðə ˈwɔrˌfɛr]) between the sheep and the flowers(the conflict or struggle between the sheep and the flowers [bɪtˈwin ðə ʃip ənd ðə flaʊərz]) not important(not significant or consequential [nɑt ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt])? Is(form of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]) this(referring to the situation being discussed [ðɪs]) not of more consequence(not more important or significant [nɑt əv mɔr ˈkɑnsəkwəns]) than(used to make a comparison [ðən]) a fat red-faced gentleman's sums(the calculations or arithmetic problems of a wealthy, angry-looking man [ə fæt red-faced ˈʤɛnəlˌmənz səmz])? And(conjunction used to connect clauses or sentences [ənd]) if I know(conditional clause expressing a hypothetical situation [ɪf aɪ noʊ]) — I, myself(emphasizing the speaker's personal knowledge [aɪ ˌmaɪˈsɛlf]) — one flower(a single flower [wən flaʊər]) which is unique in the world(that is the only one of its kind on Earth [wɪʧ ɪz juˈnik ɪn ðə wərld]), which grows nowhere but on my planet(that only grows on the speaker's planet [wɪʧ groʊz ˈnoʊˌwɛr bət ɔn maɪ ˈplænət]), but(conjunction used to introduce a contrasting statement [bət]) which one little sheep(a single small sheep [wɪʧ wən ˈlɪtəl ʃip]) can destroy(is able to ruin or demolish [kən dɪˈstrɔɪ]) in a single bite(with just one act of biting [ɪn ə ˈsɪŋgəl baɪt]) some morning(on a particular morning [səm ˈmɔrnɪŋ]), without even noticing(without even being aware [wɪˈθaʊt ˈivɪn ˈnoʊtɪsɪŋ]) what he is doing(the action the sheep is performing [wət hi ɪz duɪŋ]) — Oh(exclamation expressing surprise or emotion [oʊ])! You think(the speaker believes [ju θɪŋk]) that is not important(that is not significant or consequential [ðət ɪz nɑt ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt])!"
Fleur unique au monde.jpg
His(belonging to or associated with a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hɪz]) face(the front part of the head, from the forehead to the chin [feɪs]) turned(changed in color or appearance [tərnd]) from white to red(indicating a change in color, likely due to embarrassment, anger, or exertion [frəm waɪt tɪ rɛd]) as(used to indicate that something happens during the time when something else is taking place [ɛz]) he(referring to a male person previously mentioned or easily identified [hi]) continued(went on speaking [kənˈtɪnjud]):
"If(used to introduce a condition [ɪf]) some one(an unspecified or unknown person [səm wən]) loves(has a strong feeling of affection for [ləvz]) a flower(a plant cultivated for its blooms or ornamental value [ə flaʊər]), of which(relating to the flower [əv wɪʧ]) just one(only one [ʤɪst wən]) single(only one; not multiple [ˈsɪŋgəl]) blossom(a flower or a mass of flowers, especially on a fruit tree [ˈblɑsəm]) grows(exists and develops [groʊz]) in all the millions and millions of stars(emphasizing the vast number of stars [ɪn ɔl ðə ˈmɪljənz ənd ˈmɪljənz əv stɑrz]), it(referring to the situation described [ɪt]) is enough(sufficient [ɪz ɪˈnəf]) to make him happy(to cause him to feel pleasure or contentment [tɪ meɪk ɪm ˈhæpi]) just to look at(simply by observing [ʤɪst tɪ lʊk æt]) the stars(the celestial bodies visible at night [ðə stɑrz]). He(referring to the person who loves the flower [hi]) can say(is able to express [kən seɪ]) to himself(in his own thoughts [tɪ hɪmˈsɛlf]), 'Somewhere(in an unspecified place [ˈsəmˌwɛr]), my flower(the flower he loves [maɪ flaʊər]) is there(exists in that place [ɪz ðɛr])...' But(used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said [bət]) if(introducing a condition [ɪf]) the sheep(a farm animal with a thick woolly coat [ðə ʃip]) eats(consumes as food [its]) the flower(the specific flower [ðə flaʊər]), in one moment(very quickly; instantly [ɪn wən ˈmoʊmənt]) all his stars(representing his happiness and hope [ɔl hɪz stɑrz]) will be darkened(will become sad and hopeless [wɪl bi ˈdɑrkənd])... And(used to connect related statements [ənd]) you(referring to the person being addressed [ju]) think(have the opinion that [θɪŋk]) that(referring to the potential loss of happiness [ðət]) is not important(is not significant or valuable [ɪz nɑt ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt])!"
He(referring to a male person previously mentioned or easily identified [hi]) could not(was unable to [kʊd nɑt]) say(utter words [seɪ]) anything more(additional words [ˈɛniˌθɪŋ mɔr]). His(belonging to or associated with a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hɪz]) words(the expressions of thoughts or feelings in speech [wərdz]) were choked(were suppressed or blocked [wər ʧoʊkt]) by sobbing(by crying with convulsive gasps [baɪ ˈsɑbɪŋ]).
The night(the period from sunset to sunrise in each twenty-four hours [ðə naɪt]) had fallen(had arrived; become night [hæd ˈfɑlən]). I(the speaker or writer [aɪ]) had let(allowed [hæd lɛt]) my tools(instruments used to perform a task [maɪ tulz]) drop(fall downwards [drɔp]) from my hands(from my grasp [frəm maɪ hænz]). Of what moment(of what importance [əv wət ˈmoʊmənt]) now(at the present time [naʊ]) was(past tense of 'is' [wɑz]) my hammer(a tool with a heavy metal head used for driving nails [maɪ ˈhæmər]), my bolt(a metal pin or rod, usually threaded, used to fasten things together [maɪ boʊlt]), or thirst(a feeling of needing to drink [ər θərst]), or death(the end of life [ər dɛθ])? On(located at or above a surface [ɔn]) one star(a celestial body [wən stɑr]), one planet(a celestial body orbiting a star [wən ˈplænət]), my planet(the planet belonging to the speaker [maɪ ˈplænət]), the Earth(the planet on which we live [ðə ərθ]), there was(there existed [ðɛr wɑz]) a little prince(a young male ruler [ə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]) to be comforted(needing to be consoled [tɪ bi ˈkəmfərtɪd]). I(the speaker or writer [aɪ]) took him(held him [tʊk ɪm]) in my arms(embraced him [ɪn maɪ ɑrmz]), and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) rocked him(moved him gently back and forth [rɑkt ɪm]). I(the speaker or writer [aɪ]) said(uttered words [sɛd]) to him(to the little prince [tɪ ɪm]):
"The flower(a specific flower being referred to [ðə flaʊər]) that you love(a flower that the listener or reader has affection for [ðət ju ləv]) is not in danger(the flower is safe and will not be harmed [ɪz nɑt ɪn ˈdeɪnʤər]). I will draw(the speaker is offering to create a drawing [aɪ wɪl drɔ]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) a muzzle(a device placed over an animal's mouth to prevent it from biting or eating [ə ˈməzəl]) for your sheep(intended to be used on the listener's sheep [fər jʊr ʃip]). I will draw(the speaker is offering to create a drawing [aɪ wɪl drɔ]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) a railing(a barrier made of horizontal rails supported by posts [ə ˈreɪlɪŋ]) to put around(to place something encircling another object [tɪ pʊt əraʊnd]) your flower(the flower belonging to the person being addressed [jʊr flaʊər]). I will(the speaker's intention to do something [aɪ wɪl]) — "
I did not know(the speaker lacked knowledge [aɪ dɪd nɑt noʊ]) what to say(the speaker was unsure of the appropriate words to use [wət tɪ seɪ]) to him(directed towards the person being spoken about [tɪ ɪm]). I felt awkward(the speaker experienced a feeling of unease or embarrassment [aɪ fɛlt ˈɔkwərd]) and blundering(clumsy and making mistakes [ənd ˈbləndərɪŋ]). I did not know(the speaker lacked knowledge [aɪ dɪd nɑt noʊ]) how I could reach him(how the speaker could connect with the other person emotionally or intellectually [haʊ aɪ kʊd riʧ ɪm]), where I could overtake him(where the speaker could catch up with the other person, either physically or metaphorically [wɛr aɪ kʊd ˈoʊvərˌteɪk ɪm]) and go on hand in hand(to proceed together in a close and harmonious manner [ənd goʊ ɔn hænd ɪn hænd]) with him(together with the person being spoken about [wɪθ ɪm]) once more(again; one more time [wəns mɔr]).
It is(refers to a place or situation [ɪt ɪz]) such a secret place(a location that is hidden or not easily discovered [səʧ ə ˈsikrɪt pleɪs]), the land of tears(a metaphorical place associated with sadness and sorrow [ðə lænd əv tɪrz]).
VIII
I soon learned(the speaker quickly acquired knowledge [aɪ sun ˈlərnɪd]) to know this flower better(to become more familiar with the flower [tɪ noʊ ðɪs flaʊər ˈbɛtər]). On the little prince's planet(referring to the home of the character known as the little prince [ɔn ðə ˈlɪtəl ˈprɪnsɪz ˈplænət]) the flowers had always been(the flowers consistently were in the past [ðə flaʊərz hæd ˈɔlˌweɪz bɪn]) very simple(not complex or elaborate [ˈvɛri ˈsɪmpəl]). They had only one ring of petals(the flowers possessed a single layer of petal arrangements [ðeɪ hæd ˈoʊnli wən rɪŋ əv ˈpɛtəlz]); they took up no room at all(they occupied very little space [ðeɪ tʊk əp noʊ rum æt ɔl]); they were a trouble to nobody(they did not cause any inconvenience or problems [ðeɪ wər ə ˈtrəbəl tɪ ˈnoʊˌbɑˌdi]). One morning(a particular morning [wən ˈmɔrnɪŋ]) they would appear(they would become visible [ðeɪ wʊd əˈpɪr]) in the grass(among the blades of grass [ɪn ðə græs]), and by night(as night fell [ənd baɪ naɪt]) they would have faded peacefully away(they would have withered and disappeared without causing any disturbance [ðeɪ wʊd hæv ˈfeɪdɪd ˈpisfəli əˈweɪ]). But one day(on a particular day [bət wən deɪ]), from a seed blown(originating from a seed carried by the wind [frəm ə sid bloʊn]) from no one knew where(from an unknown location [frəm noʊ wən nu wɛr]), a new flower(a flower that had not been seen before [ə nu flaʊər]) had come up(had sprouted or emerged [hæd kəm əp]); and the little prince(referring to the character known as the little prince [ənd ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]) had watched very closely(had observed with great attention [hæd wɔʧt ˈvɛri ˈkloʊsli]) over this small sprout(carefully monitoring the young plant [ˈoʊvər ðɪs smɔl spraʊt]) which was not like any other small sprouts(that was different from all the other young plants [wɪʧ wɑz nɑt laɪk ˈɛni ˈəðər smɔl spraʊts]) on his planet(in his home world [ɔn hɪz ˈplænət]). It might, you see(it was possible, understand [ɪt maɪt ju si]), have been(could have been [hæv bɪn]) a new kind of baobab(a different type of large tree [ə nu kaɪnd əv baobab]).