The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery- page 14

"I am not at all afraid of tigers," she went on, "but I have a horror of drafts.

• I am: first-person singular present tense of the verb 'to be' [aɪ æm]
• not at all afraid: completely without fear [nɑt æt ɔl əˈfreɪd]
• of tigers: regarding tigers; concerning tigers [əv ˈtaɪgərz]
• she went on: she continued speaking [ʃi wɛnt ɔn]
• but: used to introduce a contrasting statement [bət]
• I have: first-person singular present tense of the verb 'to have' [aɪ hæv]
• a horror of drafts: a strong aversion or fear of drafts (currents of air [ə ˈhɔrər əv dræfts]

Paravent.jpg

"A horror of drafts — that is bad luck, for a plant," remarked the little prince, and added to himself, "This flower is a very complex creature..."

• A horror of drafts: a strong aversion or fear of drafts (currents of air [ə ˈhɔrər əv dræfts]
• that is: that refers to the previously mentioned horror of drafts [ðət ɪz]
• bad luck: misfortune; unfavorable circumstances [bæd lək]
• for a plant: regarding a plant; concerning a plant's well-being [fər ə plænt]
• remarked: said; commented [rɪˈmɑrkt]
• the little prince: refers to a character known as the little prince [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]
• and: used to connect clauses or sentences [ənd]
• added to himself: said something quietly to oneself [ˈædɪd tɪ hɪmˈsɛlf]
• This flower: refers to a specific flower [ðɪs flaʊər]
• is: third-person singular present tense of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]
• a very complex creature: an organism with intricate and complicated characteristics [ə ˈvɛri ˈkɑmplɛks ˈkriʧər]

"At night I want you to put me under a glass globe.

• At night: during the nighttime [æt naɪt]
• I want: first-person singular present tense of the verb 'to want' [aɪ wɔnt]
• you: second-person singular pronoun [ju]
• to put: to place or position [tɪ pʊt]
• me: first-person singular object pronoun [mi]
• under a glass globe: beneath a transparent sphere made of glass [ˈəndər ə glæs gloʊb]

It is very cold where you live.

• It is: third-person singular present tense of the verb 'to be' [ɪt ɪz]
• very cold: extremely low temperature [ˈvɛri koʊld]
• where you live: the location of your residence [wɛr ju lɪv]

But she interrupted herself at that point.

• But: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been said previously [bət]
• she: refers to a female person or character previously mentioned [ʃi]
• interrupted: stopped someone from continuing what they were saying or doing [ˌɪntərˈəptɪd]
• herself: used reflexively to refer back to the subject 'she' [hərˈsɛlf]
• at that point: at that specific moment or stage in the conversation or narrative [æt ðət pɔɪnt]

She had come in the form of a seed.

• She: refers to a female person or character previously mentioned [ʃi]
• had come: past perfect tense of 'come', indicating an action completed before another point in time [hæd kəm]
• in the form of: appearing or existing as [ɪn ðə fɔrm əv]
• a seed: a small embryonic plant enclosed in a covering, capable of developing into a plant [ə sid]

She could not have known anything of any other worlds.

• She: refers to a female person or character previously mentioned [ʃi]
• could not have known: expresses impossibility in the past [kʊd nɑt hæv noʊn]
• anything: any thing; something of any kind [ˈɛniˌθɪŋ]
• of any other worlds: referring to different planets or realms beyond the one being discussed [əv ˈɛni ˈəðər wərldz]

Embarrassed over having let herself be caught on the verge of such a naïve untruth, she coughed two or three times, in order to put the little prince in the wrong.

• Embarrassed: feeling or showing embarrassment [ɪmˈbɛrəst]
• over having let herself: feeling awkward or ashamed because she allowed herself [ˈoʊvər ˈhævɪŋ lɛt hərˈsɛlf]
• be caught: to be discovered or found doing something [bi kɔt]
• on the verge of: very close to doing or experiencing something [ɔn ðə vərʤ əv]
• such a naïve untruth: a simple or innocent lie [səʧ ə naïve ənˈtruθ]
• she: refers to a female person or character previously mentioned [ʃi]
• coughed: expelled air from the lungs with a sudden sharp sound [kɔft]
• two or three times: indicating a small number of repetitions of the action [tu ər θri taɪmz]
• in order to: for the purpose of; with the aim of [ɪn ˈɔrdər tɪ]
• put the little prince in the wrong: to make the little prince feel guilty or at fault [pʊt ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns ɪn ðə rɔŋ]

"The screen?"

• The screen: A flat panel or area on an electronic device on which images or data are displayed [ðə skrin]

"I was just going to look for it when you spoke to me..."

• I: first-person singular pronoun, referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• was just going to: indicates an intention to do something in the near future [wɑz ʤɪst goʊɪŋ tɪ]
• look for it: search for something that is missing or lost [lʊk fər ɪt]
• when: at the time that; as soon as [wɪn]
• you: second-person singular pronoun, referring to the person being addressed [ju]
• spoke to me: addressed or talked to the speaker [spoʊk tɪ mi]

Then she forced her cough a little more so that he should suffer from remorse just the same.

• Then: at that time; after that [ðɛn]
• she: refers to a female person or character previously mentioned [ʃi]
• forced: made a deliberate effort to do something [fɔrst]
• her cough: the act of expelling air from the lungs with a sudden sharp sound [hər kɔf]
• a little more: to a slightly greater extent [ə ˈlɪtəl mɔr]
• so that: with the result or intention that [soʊ ðət]
• he: refers to a male person or character previously mentioned [hi]
• should suffer: to experience pain or distress [ʃʊd ˈsəfər]
• from remorse: a feeling of deep regret or guilt for wrongdoing [frəm rɪˈmɔrs]
• just the same: despite what has been said; nevertheless [ʤɪst ðə seɪm]

So the little prince, in spite of all the good will that was inseparable from his love, had soon come to doubt her.

• So: therefore; as a result [soʊ]
• the little prince: refers to a young male character of royal status [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]
• in spite of: despite; regardless of [ɪn spaɪt əv]
• all the good will: a friendly and helpful attitude towards others [ɔl ðə gʊd wɪl]
• that: used to introduce a relative clause [ðət]
• was inseparable from: unable to be separated from [wɑz ˌɪnˈsɛpərəbəl frəm]
• his love: the strong feeling of affection he has [hɪz ləv]
• had soon come: past perfect tense, indicating an action completed before another point in time [hæd sun kəm]
• to doubt her: to feel uncertain or distrustful of her [tɪ daʊt hər]

He had taken seriously words which were without importance, and it made him very unhappy.

• He: refers to a male person or character previously mentioned [hi]
• had taken seriously: to have considered something to be important or significant [hæd ˈteɪkən ˈsɪriəsli]
• words: units of language that convey meaning [wərdz]
• which were without importance: words that lacked significance or value [wɪʧ wər wɪˈθaʊt ˌɪmˈpɔrtəns]
• and: used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• it: refers to a previously mentioned situation or idea [ɪt]
• made him: caused him to feel or become [meɪd ɪm]
• very unhappy: extremely sad or distressed [ˈvɛri ənˈhæpi]

Globe.jpg

"I ought not to have listened to her," he confided to me one day. "One never ought to listen to the flowers.

• I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
• ought not to: should not; indicates a moral obligation or duty not fulfilled [ɔt nɑt tɪ]
• to her: referring to a female character [tɪ hər]
• he confided: he told in secret or trust [hi kənˈfaɪdɪd]
• to me: to the speaker or narrator [tɪ mi]
• one day: at some unspecified day in the past [wən deɪ]
• One: a person; used in a general sense [wən]
• never: at no time; not ever [ˈnɛvər]
• ought to: should; indicates a moral obligation or duty [ɔt tɪ]
• to the flowers: referring to flowers as entities [tɪ ðə flaʊərz]

One should simply look at them and breathe their fragrance.

• One: a person; used in a general sense [wən]
• should: indicates obligation or advisability [ʃʊd]
• simply: merely; only [ˈsɪmpli]
• look at: to direct one's gaze towards [lʊk æt]
• them: referring to the flowers [ðɛm]
• and: used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• breathe: to inhale [brið]
• their: belonging to them (the flowers [ðɛr]
• fragrance: a pleasant smell [ˈfreɪgrəns]

Mine perfumed all my planet.

• Mine: belonging to me; referring to his flower [maɪn]
• perfumed: filled with a pleasant smell [pərfˈjumd]
• all my planet: the entirety of his planet [ɔl maɪ ˈplænət]

But I did not know how to take pleasure in all her grace.

• But: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said [bət]
• I did not know: lacked the understanding or ability [aɪ dɪd nɑt noʊ]
• how to take pleasure: how to enjoy [haʊ tɪ teɪk ˈplɛʒər]
• in all her grace: in all the beauty and elegance of the flower [ɪn ɔl hər greɪs]

And he continued his confidences:

• And: used to connect clauses or sentences [ənd]
• he: third-person singular pronoun, referring to a male character [hi]
• continued: kept on; persisted in [kənˈtɪnjud]
• his confidences: his private or secret tellings [hɪz ˈkɑnfəˌdɛnsɪz]

"The fact is that I did not know how to understand anything!

• The fact is: the truth is; the reality is [ðə fækt ɪz]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
• I did not know: lacked the understanding or ability [aɪ dɪd nɑt noʊ]
• how to understand: how to comprehend [haʊ tɪ ˌəndərˈstænd]
• anything: anything at all [ˈɛniˌθɪŋ]

I ought to have judged by deeds and not by words.

• I ought to: I should; indicates a moral obligation or duty [aɪ ɔt tɪ]
• by deeds: by actions; by what someone does [baɪ didz]
• and not by words: but rather by actions than by spoken language [ənd nɑt baɪ wərdz]

She cast her fragrance and her radiance over me.

• She: third-person singular pronoun, referring to a female character [ʃi]
• cast: emitted; sent forth [kæst]
• her fragrance: her pleasant smell [hər ˈfreɪgrəns]
• and: used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• her radiance: her bright and shining quality [hər ˈreɪˌdiəns]
• over me: upon me; affecting me [ˈoʊvər mi]

I ought never to have run away from her...

• I ought: I should; indicates a moral obligation or duty [aɪ ɔt]
• never: at no time; not ever [ˈnɛvər]
• to have run away: to have fled or escaped [tɪ hæv rən əˈweɪ]
• from her: away from her [frəm hər]

I ought to have guessed all the affection that lay behind her poor little stratagems.

• I ought to: I should; indicates a moral obligation or duty [aɪ ɔt tɪ]
• all the affection: all the love and care [ɔl ðə əˈfɛkʃən]
• that lay behind: that was hidden or concealed by [ðət leɪ bɪˈhaɪnd]
• her poor little stratagems: her small, often deceptive, plans or schemes [hər pur ˈlɪtəl ˈstrætəʤəmz]

Flowers are so inconsistent!

• Flowers: referring to flowers as entities [flaʊərz]
• are so inconsistent: are so unpredictable and changeable [ər soʊ ˌɪnkənˈsɪstənt]

IX

I believe that for his escape he took advantage of the migration of a flock of wild birds.

• I believe: expresses an opinion or conviction [aɪ bɪˈliv]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause stating the content of the belief [ðət]
• for: indicates the purpose or reason [fər]
• his escape: the act of getting free from confinement or control [hɪz ɪˈskeɪp]
• he: refers to the subject who is escaping [hi]
• took advantage of: made use of; utilized an opportunity [tʊk ædˈvæntɪʤ əv]
• the migration: the seasonal movement of animals from one region to another [ðə maɪˈgreɪʃən]
• of: indicates belonging or association [əv]
• a flock: a group of birds [ə flɑk]
• of: indicates belonging or association [əv]
• wild birds: birds living in their natural environment; not domesticated [waɪld bərdz]

I believe that for his escape he took advantage of the migration of a flock of wild birds.

• I believe: expresses an opinion or conviction [aɪ bɪˈliv]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause stating the content of the belief [ðət]
• for: indicates the purpose or reason [fər]
• his escape: the act of getting free from confinement or control [hɪz ɪˈskeɪp]
• he: refers to the subject who is escaping [hi]
• took advantage of: made use of; utilized an opportunity [tʊk ædˈvæntɪʤ əv]
• the migration: the seasonal movement of animals from one region to another [ðə maɪˈgreɪʃən]
• of: indicates belonging or association [əv]
• a flock: a group of birds [ə flɑk]
• of: indicates belonging or association [əv]
• wild birds: birds living in their natural environment; not domesticated [waɪld bərdz]

On the morning of his departure he put his planet in perfect order.

• On the morning: at the beginning of the day [ɔn ðə ˈmɔrnɪŋ]
• of his departure: when he left [əv hɪz dɪˈpɑrʧər]
• he: refers to the subject [hi]
• put: placed or arranged [pʊt]
• his planet: the celestial body he inhabits [hɪz ˈplænət]
• in perfect order: arranged neatly and correctly [ɪn ˈpərˌfɪkt ˈɔrdər]

He carefully cleaned out his active volcanoes.

• He carefully: he did it with great attention and precision [hi ˈkɛrfəli]
• cleaned out: removed debris or ash from inside [klind aʊt]
• his active volcanoes: volcanoes that erupt regularly [hɪz ˈæktɪv vɑlˈkeɪnoʊz]

He possessed two active volcanoes; and they were very convenient for heating his breakfast in the morning.

• He possessed: he owned or had [hi pəˈzɛst]
• two active volcanoes: two volcanoes that erupt regularly [tu ˈæktɪv vɑlˈkeɪnoʊz]
• they were: referring to the volcanoes [ðeɪ wər]
• very convenient: very useful or helpful [ˈvɛri kənˈvinjənt]
• for heating: to warm up [fər ˈhitɪŋ]
• his breakfast: the first meal of the day [hɪz ˈbrɛkfəst]
• in the morning: at the beginning of the day [ɪn ðə ˈmɔrnɪŋ]

He also had one volcano that was extinct. But, as he said, "One never knows!" So he cleaned out the extinct volcano, too.

• He also had: in addition to the active volcanoes [hi ˈɔlsoʊ hæd]
• one volcano: a mountain with a vent through which molten rock erupts [wən vɑlˈkeɪnoʊ]
• that was extinct: no longer erupting [ðət wɑz ɪkˈstɪŋkt]
• as he said: according to his words [ɛz hi sɛd]
• One never knows: you can't predict the future [wən ˈnɛvər noʊz]
• So he: therefore, he [soʊ hi]
• cleaned out: removed debris or ash from inside [klind aʊt]
• the extinct volcano: the volcano that no longer erupts [ðə ɪkˈstɪŋkt vɑlˈkeɪnoʊ]
• too: also [tu]

If they are well cleaned out, volcanoes burn slowly and steadily, without any eruptions.

• If they are: referring to the volcanoes [ɪf ðeɪ ər]
• well cleaned out: thoroughly cleared of debris [wɛl klind aʊt]
• volcanoes: mountains with vents for eruptions [vɑlˈkeɪnoʊz]
• burn slowly: combust at a low rate [bərn sˈloʊli]
• and steadily: continuously and evenly [ənd ˈstɛdəli]
• without any eruptions: without any sudden bursts of lava or ash [wɪˈθaʊt ˈɛni ˌɪˈrəpʃənz]

Volcanic eruptions are like fires in a chimney.

• Volcanic eruptions: sudden bursts of lava or ash from a volcano [vɑlˈkænɪk ˌɪˈrəpʃənz]
• are like: similar to [ər laɪk]
• fires in a chimney: combustion occurring in a vertical passage for smoke [faɪərz ɪn ə ˈʧɪmni]