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"Ah(an exclamation of surprise, recognition, or understanding [ɑ])! Here is(This is [hir ɪz]) a subject(someone or something under the rule of a monarch; also, a topic of discussion or study [ə ˈsəbʤɪkt])," exclaimed(said suddenly and loudly [ɪkˈskleɪmd]) the king(the male ruler of a kingdom [ðə kɪŋ]), when he saw(at the moment he observed [wɪn hi sɔ]) the little prince(the young male member of a royal family [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]) coming(approaching; arriving [ˈkəmɪŋ]).
And(conjunction used to connect clauses or sentences [ənd]) the(definite article, referring to a specific little prince [ðə]) little prince(a young, small prince, often used in fairy tales [ˈlɪtəl prɪns]) asked(to put a question to someone [æst]) himself(referring back to the little prince; he asked the question to himself [hɪmˈsɛlf]):
"How(used to ask about the way in which something happens or is done [haʊ]) could(auxiliary verb expressing possibility or ability [kʊd]) he(referring to someone else [hi]) recognize(to identify someone or something known from previous encounters [ˈrɛkəgˌnaɪz]) me(referring to the little prince [mi]) when(at what time; during the time that [wɪn]) he(referring to someone else [hi]) had(auxiliary verb used to form the past perfect tense [hæd]) never(at no time in the past [ˈnɛvər]) seen(past participle of 'see', meaning to perceive with the eyes [sin]) me(referring to the little prince [mi]) before(previously; in the past [ˌbiˈfɔr])?"
He(referring to the little prince [hi]) did(auxiliary verb used for emphasis or to form questions/negations [dɪd]) not(used to negate a statement [nɑt]) know(to be aware of something through observation, inquiry, or information [noʊ]) how(in what way or manner [haʊ]) the world(the earth, together with all of its countries, peoples, and natural features [ðə wərld]) is(third-person singular present of 'be' [ɪz]) simplified(made easier or less complex [ˈsɪmpləˌfaɪd]) for(intended to be used by (someone [fər]) kings(male rulers of a country [kɪŋz]). To(expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]) them(referring to the kings [ðɛm]), all(the whole quantity or extent of [ɔl]) men(plural of man, referring to adult males [mɛn]) are(plural present of 'be' [ər]) subjects(people who are under the rule of a king or queen [ˈsəbʤɪkts]).
"Approach(to come near or nearer to someone or something in distance or time [əˈproʊʧ]), so that(with the aim that; in order that [soʊ ðət]) I(first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]) may(auxiliary verb expressing possibility or permission [meɪ]) see(to perceive with the eyes [si]) you(second-person singular pronoun [ju]) better(in a more excellent or effective way [ˈbɛtər])," said(past tense of 'say', to utter words [sɛd]) the king(the male ruler of a country [ðə kɪŋ]), who(relative pronoun referring to the king [hu]) felt(past tense of 'feel', to experience an emotion or sensation [fɛlt]) consumingly(to a consuming degree; overwhelmingly [consumingly]) proud(feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of one's own achievements, qualities, or possessions or those of someone with whom one is closely associated [praʊd]) of(expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]) being(present participle of 'be' [biɪŋ]) at last(finally; after a long delay [æt læst]) a king(a male ruler of a country [ə kɪŋ]) over(in a position above and touching something [ˈoʊvər]) somebody(some person; someone [ˈsəmˌbɑdi]).
The little prince(a young, small prince, often used in fairy tales [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]) looked(past tense of 'look', to turn one's eyes in a specified direction [lʊkt]) everywhere(in or to all places [ˈɛvriˌwɛr]) to find(to discover or locate something [tɪ faɪnd]) a place(a particular position or area [ə pleɪs]) to sit down(to lower oneself into a sitting position [tɪ sɪt daʊn]); but(conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said [bət]) the entire planet(the whole of the earth [ðə ɪnˈtaɪər ˈplænət]) was(past tense of 'be' [wɑz]) crammed(completely filled to the point of overflowing [kræmd]) and(conjunction used to connect clauses or sentences [ənd]) obstructed(blocked or hindered [əbˈstrəktɪd]) by(expressing the agent performing an action [baɪ]) the king's(possessive form of 'king' [ðə kɪŋz]) magnificent(extremely beautiful, elaborate, or impressive [mægˈnɪfɪsənt]) ermine robe(a long, loose outer garment made of ermine fur, typically worn as a symbol of royalty or high status [ˈərmən roʊb]). So(therefore; for that reason [soʊ]) he(referring to the little prince [hi]) remained(stayed in a particular place or condition [rɪˈmeɪnd]) standing upright(in a vertical position [ˈstændɪŋ ˈəˌpraɪt]), and(conjunction used to connect clauses or sentences [ənd]), since(because; as [sɪns]) he(referring to the little prince [hi]) was(past tense of 'be' [wɑz]) tired(feeling in need of rest or sleep [taɪərd]), he(referring to the little prince [hi]) yawned(opened one's mouth wide and inhaled deeply due to tiredness or boredom [jɔnd]).
"It is contrary to etiquette(This means it goes against the rules of polite behavior or good manners [ɪt ɪz ˈkɑntrɛri tɪ ˈɛtəkət]) to yawn(to open the mouth wide and take a deep breath, usually involuntarily, due to tiredness or boredom [tɪ jɔn]) in the presence of a king(while being near or in front of a king [ɪn ðə ˈprɛzəns əv ə kɪŋ])," the monarch(a sovereign head of state, especially a king, queen, or emperor [ðə ˈmɑˌnɑrk]) said to him(spoke to the little prince [sɛd tɪ ɪm]). "I forbid you to do so(I prohibit you from yawning [aɪ fərˈbɪd ju tɪ du soʊ])."
"I can't help it(I am unable to control it; I cannot prevent it from happening [aɪ kænt hɛlp ɪt]). I can't stop myself(I am unable to prevent my own actions [aɪ kænt stɑp ˌmaɪˈsɛlf])," replied the little prince(the little prince answered [rɪˈplaɪd ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]), thoroughly embarrassed(feeling extremely ashamed or uncomfortable [ˈθəroʊli ɪmˈbɛrəst]). "I have come on a long journey(I have traveled a great distance [aɪ hæv kəm ɔn ə lɔŋ ˈʤərni]), and I have had no sleep(I have not slept at all [aɪ hæv hæd noʊ slip])..."
"Ah, then(An expression indicating understanding or a change in perspective [ɑ ðɛn])," the king said. "I order you to yawn(I command you to open your mouth wide and take a deep breath [aɪ ˈɔrdər ju tɪ jɔn]). It is years since(It has been a long time since [ɪt ɪz jɪrz sɪns]) I have seen anyone yawning(I have witnessed someone opening their mouth wide and taking a deep breath [aɪ hæv sin ˈɛniˌwən ˈjɔnɪŋ]). Yawns, to me, are objects of curiosity(For me, yawns are interesting and unusual things [jɔnz tɪ mi ər ˈɑbʤɛkts əv ˌkjʊriˈɑsəti]). Come, now(An expression used to encourage someone to do something [kəm naʊ])! Yawn again(Open your mouth wide and take a deep breath once more [jɔn əˈgɛn])! It is an order(This is a command that must be obeyed [ɪt ɪz ən ˈɔrdər])."
"That frightens me(That scares me [ðət ˈfraɪtənz mi])... I cannot, any more(I am no longer able to [aɪ ˈkænɑt ˈɛni mɔr])..." murmured the little prince(the little prince said in a low, quiet voice [ˈmərmərd ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]), now completely abashed(feeling utterly ashamed, embarrassed, or disconcerted [naʊ kəmˈplitli əˈbæʃt]).
"Hum! Hum(Expresses a thoughtful or hesitant sound [həm həm])!" replied the king(The male ruler of a country [kɪŋ]). "Then(Indicates a sequence or consequence [ðɛn]) I(The speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) — I(The speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) order you(The person being addressed [ju]) sometimes(Occurring occasionally or at intervals [ˈsəmˌtaɪmz]) to yawn(To open the mouth wide and take a deep breath, usually due to tiredness or boredom [jɔn]) and sometimes(Occurring occasionally or at intervals [ˈsəmˌtaɪmz]) to — "
He sputtered(Spoke rapidly and incoherently, often with excitement or anger [ˈspətərd]) a little(To a small extent; slightly [ə ˈlɪtəl]), and seemed(Appeared to be [simd]) vexed(Annoyed, frustrated, or worried [vɛkst]).
For what(Referring to the thing that [wət]) the king(The male ruler of a country [kɪŋ]) fundamentally(In a basic and essential way [ˌfəndəˈmɛnəli]) insisted upon(Demanded or asserted forcefully [ˌɪnˈsɪstɪd əˈpɑn]) was(Past tense of 'is', linking the subject to the description [wɑz]) that his(Belonging to him [hɪz]) authority(The power or right to give orders and enforce obedience [əˈθɔrəti]) should be respected(Admired and valued [rɪˈspɛktɪd]). He tolerated(Allowed or permitted without opposition [ˈtɑlərˌeɪtəd]) no(Not any [noʊ]) disobedience(Failure or refusal to obey rules or someone in authority [ˌdɪsəˈbidiəns]). He was(Past tense of 'is', linking the subject to the description [wɑz]) an absolute monarch(A ruler who has unlimited power and authority [ˈæbsəˌlut ˈmɑˌnɑrk]). But, because(For the reason that [bɪˈkəz]) he was(Past tense of 'is', linking the subject to the description [wɑz]) a very good man(A person with high moral character and kindness [ə ˈvɛri gʊd mæn]), he made(Past tense of 'make', meaning to create or cause [meɪd]) his(Belonging to him [hɪz]) orders(Instructions or commands [ˈɔrdərz]) reasonable(Fair, sensible, and logical [ˈrizənəbəl]).
"If I(The speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) ordered(Past tense of 'order', meaning to give an instruction [ˈɔrdərd]) a general(A high-ranking officer in the army [ə ˈʤɛnərəl])," he would(Used to express a conditional or habitual action [wʊd]) say(To utter words [seɪ]), by way of(As a form of [weɪ əv]) example(A thing that is characteristic of its kind or illustrates a general rule [ɪgˈzæmpəl]), "if I(The speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) ordered(Past tense of 'order', meaning to give an instruction [ˈɔrdərd]) a general(A high-ranking officer in the army [ə ˈʤɛnərəl]) to change(To make or become different [ʧeɪnʤ]) himself(Referring to the general [hɪmˈsɛlf]) into a sea bird(A bird that lives near the sea [ə si bərd]), and if(Expressing a condition [ɪf]) the general(A high-ranking officer in the army [ˈʤɛnərəl]) did not(Expressing negation [nɑt]) obey(To comply with or follow instructions [oʊˈbeɪ]) me(Referring to the speaker [mi]), that would(Used to express a conditional or habitual action [wʊd]) not(Expressing negation [nɑt]) be the fault(Responsibility for something wrong or undesirable [ðə fɔlt]) of the general(A high-ranking officer in the army [ðə ˈʤɛnərəl]). It would(Used to express a conditional or habitual action [wʊd]) be my fault(Responsibility of the speaker [maɪ fɔlt])."
"May I sit down(A polite question asking for permission to sit. 'May' indicates a request for permission, 'I' refers to the speaker, and 'sit down' means to take a seat. [meɪ aɪ sɪt daʊn])?" came(Indicates the origin or source of the sound or action. [keɪm]) now(Indicates that the action or event is happening at the present time or moment. [naʊ]) a timid inquiry(A shy or hesitant question. 'Timid' suggests a lack of confidence or boldness, and 'inquiry' means a question or request for information. [ə ˈtɪmɪd ˌɪnkˈwaɪˌri]) from(Indicates the source or origin of something. [frəm]) the little prince(Refers to a young member of a royal family, often used as a character in stories. [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]).
"I order you to do so(A command or instruction to perform an action. 'I' refers to the speaker, 'order' means to give a command, 'you' refers to the person being addressed, 'to do so' refers to the action previously mentioned. [aɪ ˈɔrdər ju tɪ du soʊ])," the king answered him(Indicates that the king is responding to someone. 'Answered' means to reply or respond, and 'him' refers to the person the king is speaking to. [ðə kɪŋ ˈænsərd ɪm]), and(Connects two related clauses or phrases. [ənd]) majestically(In a grand or dignified manner. [məˈʤɛstɪkəli]) gathered in(Collected or brought together. [ˈgæðərd ɪn]) a fold(A part of something that is folded or doubled over. [ə foʊld]) of his ermine mantle(Refers to a cloak or robe made of ermine fur, a symbol of royalty. 'Ermine' is a type of white fur, and 'mantle' is a cloak or robe. [əv hɪz ˈərmən ˈmæntəl]).
But(A conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said. [bət]) the little prince(Refers to a young member of a royal family, often used as a character in stories. [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]) was wondering(To feel curiosity or doubt about something. [wɑz ˈwəndərɪŋ])... The planet(A celestial body orbiting a star. [ðə ˈplænət]) was tiny(Very small. [wɑz ˈtaɪni]). Over what(About what. [ˈoʊvər wət]) could(Expressing possibility or ability. [kʊd]) this king(Refers to the king being discussed. [ðɪs kɪŋ]) really(In fact; actually. [ˈrɪli]) rule(Exercise dominion or power over. [rul])?