The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery- page 17

"Sire," he said to him, "I beg that you will excuse my asking you a question — "

• Sire: A formal term of address for a king or other monarch. [saɪər]
• he said to him: Indicates that someone is speaking to the king. [hi sɛd tɪ ɪm]
• I beg: To ask someone earnestly or humbly for something. [aɪ bɛg]
• that: Used to introduce a subordinate clause. [ðət]
• you will excuse: To pardon or forgive someone for something. [ju wɪl ɪkˈskjuz]
• my asking you a question: The act of requesting information from someone. [maɪ ˈæskɪŋ ju ə kˈwɛʃən]

"I order you to ask me a question," the king hastened to assure him.

• I order you to ask me a question: 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 ask me a question' refers to the action previously mentioned. [aɪ ˈɔrdər ju tɪ æsk mi ə kˈwɛʃən]
• the king: Refers to the king being discussed. [ðə kɪŋ]
• hastened: To be quick to do something. [ˈheɪsənd]
• to assure him: To remove someone's doubts or fears. [tɪ əˈʃʊr ɪm]

"Sire — over what do you rule?"

• Sire: A formal term of address for a king or other monarch. [saɪər]
• over what: About what. [ˈoʊvər wət]
• do you rule: To exercise dominion or power over. [du ju rul]

"Over everything," said the king, with magnificent simplicity.

• Over everything: Having power or control over all things. [ˈoʊvər ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ]
• said the king: Indicates that the king is speaking. [sɛd ðə kɪŋ]
• with magnificent simplicity: In a grand and impressive manner, but in a straightforward way. [wɪθ mægˈnɪfɪsənt sɪmˈplɪsɪti]

"Over everything?"

• Over everything: A question expressing surprise or inquiry about having control or authority over everything. [ˈoʊvər ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ]

The king made a gesture, which took in his planet, the other planets, and all the stars.

• The king: The male ruler of an independent state, especially one who inherits the position by right of birth. [ðə kɪŋ]
• made a gesture: performed a movement of the body, typically the hand or head, to express an idea or meaning. [meɪd ə ˈʤɛsʧər]
• which took in: which included or encompassed. [wɪʧ tʊk ɪn]
• his planet: the planet belonging to the king. [hɪz ˈplænət]
• the other planets: planets other than the king's planet. [ðə ˈəðər ˈplænəts]
• and all the stars: every star in the sky. [ənd ɔl ðə stɑrz]

"Over all that?" asked the little prince.

• Over all that: Questioning whether the king has authority over everything mentioned previously. [ˈoʊvər ɔl ðət]
• asked: Inquired or posed a question. [æst]
• the little prince: The young royal character. [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]

"Over all that," the king answered.

• Over all that: Affirming authority over everything previously mentioned. [ˈoʊvər ɔl ðət]
• the king: The male ruler. [ðə kɪŋ]
• answered: Responded to the question. [ˈænsərd]

For his rule was not only absolute: it was also universal.

• For: Introducing the reason or explanation for the previous statement. [fər]
• his rule: The king's governance or authority. [hɪz rul]
• was not only absolute: was not just complete and without limitations. [wɑz nɑt ˈoʊnli ˈæbsəˌlut]
• it was also universal: it extended to everything and everyone. [ɪt wɑz ˈɔlsoʊ ˌjunəˈvərsəl]

"And the stars obey you?"

• And the stars obey you: Questioning whether the stars follow the king's commands. [ənd ðə stɑrz oʊˈbeɪ ju]

"Certainly they do," the king said. "They obey instantly.

• Certainly they do: Affirming that the stars indeed obey him. [ˈsərtənli ðeɪ du]
• the king: The male ruler. [ðə kɪŋ]
• said: Stated or spoke. [sɛd]
• They obey instantly: They follow commands without delay. [ðeɪ oʊˈbeɪ ˈɪnstəntli]

Such power was a thing for the little prince to marvel at.

• Such power: This kind of authority or control. [səʧ paʊər]
• was a thing: was something. [wɑz ə θɪŋ]
• for the little prince: in the opinion of the little prince. [fər ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]
• to marvel at: to be amazed or astonished by. [tɪ ˈmɑrvəl æt]

If he had been master of such complete authority, he would have been able to watch the sunset, not forty-four times in one day, but seventy-two, or even a hundred, or even two hundred times, without ever having to move his chair.

• If he had been master: If he had been in control. [ɪf hi hæd bɪn ˈmæstər]
• of such complete authority: of such total power. [əv səʧ kəmˈplit əˈθɔrəti]
• he would have been able: he would have had the ability. [hi wʊd hæv bɪn ˈeɪbəl]
• to watch the sunset: to observe the sun going below the horizon. [tɪ wɔʧ ðə ˈsənˌsɛt]
• not forty-four times: not just forty-four times. [nɑt forty-four taɪmz]
• in one day: within a single day. [ɪn wən deɪ]
• but seventy-two: but rather seventy-two. [bət seventy-two]
• or even a hundred: or perhaps one hundred. [ər ˈivɪn ə ˈhənərd]
• or even two hundred times: or possibly two hundred times. [ər ˈivɪn tu ˈhənərd taɪmz]
• without ever having: without needing. [wɪˈθaʊt ˈɛvər ˈhævɪŋ]
• to move his chair: to change his location. [tɪ muv hɪz ʧɛr]

"I should like to see a sunset...

• I: The speaker, in this case, the little prince [aɪ]
• should like: A polite way of saying 'would like'; expresses a desire or wish [ʃʊd laɪk]
• to see: To witness or observe something [tɪ si]
• a sunset: The daily disappearance of the sun below the horizon, often associated with beautiful colors in the sky [ə ˈsənˌsɛt]

Do me that kindness...

• Do: Used for emphasis in a request [du]
• me: Referring to the speaker [mi]
• that kindness: That favor or act of consideration [ðət ˈkaɪndnəs]

"If I ordered a general to fly from one flower to another like a butterfly, or to write a tragic drama, or to change himself into a sea bird, and if the general did not carry out the order that he had received, which one of us would be in the wrong?" the king demanded. "The general, or myself?"

• If: Introducing a conditional clause [ɪf]
• I ordered: If I gave a command [aɪ ˈɔrdərd]
• a general: A high-ranking officer in the military [ə ˈʤɛnərəl]
• to fly: To move through the air [tɪ flaɪ]
• from one flower: From one blossom [frəm wən flaʊər]
• to another: To a different blossom [tɪ əˈnəðər]
• like a butterfly: In the manner of a butterfly, known for its fluttering flight [laɪk ə ˈbətərˌflaɪ]
• or: Used to introduce an alternative [ər]
• to write: To compose or create written work [tɪ raɪt]
• a tragic drama: A play with a sad or disastrous ending [ə ˈtræʤɪk ˈdrɑmə]
• or: Used to introduce another alternative [ər]
• to change himself: To transform into something else [tɪ ʧeɪnʤ hɪmˈsɛlf]
• into a sea bird: Into a bird that lives near or on the sea [ˈɪntu ə si bərd]
• and if: Continuing the conditional clause [ənd ɪf]
• the general: The military officer [ðə ˈʤɛnərəl]
• did not carry out: Did not fulfill or execute [dɪd nɑt ˈkɛri aʊt]
• the order: The command given [ðə ˈɔrdər]
• that he had received: That the general had been given [ðət hi hæd rɪˈsivd]
• which one of us: Which of the people involved [wɪʧ wən əv ˈjuˈɛs]
• would be: Would exist in a certain state [wʊd bi]
• in the wrong: At fault or responsible for an error [ɪn ðə rɔŋ]
• the king: The ruler of the kingdom [ðə kɪŋ]
• demanded: Asked forcefully or assertively [dɪˈmændɪd]
• The general: Referring to the military officer [ðə ˈʤɛnərəl]
• or: Used to present an alternative [ər]
• myself: Referring to the king [ˌmaɪˈsɛlf]

"You," said the little prince firmly.

• You: Referring to the king [ju]
• said: Spoke [sɛd]
• the little prince: The young royal character [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]
• firmly: In a resolute and unwavering manner [ˈfərmli]

"Exactly.

• Exactly: Precisely; that is correct. [ɪgˈzæktli]

One must require from each one the duty which each one can perform," the king went on. "Accepted authority rests first of all on reason.

• One: A person; people in general [wən]
• must require: Should demand or expect [məst ˌrikˈwaɪər]
• from each one: From every individual [frəm iʧ wən]
• the duty: The obligation or task [ðə ˈduti]
• which each one: That every individual [wɪʧ iʧ wən]
• can perform: Is capable of doing [kən pərˈfɔrm]
• the king: The ruler [ðə kɪŋ]
• went on: Continued speaking [wɛnt ɔn]
• Accepted authority: Authority that is recognized and respected [ækˈsɛptɪd əˈθɔrəti]
• rests: Is based or founded [rɛsts]
• first of all: Primarily; above all else [fərst əv ɔl]
• on reason: On logical and rational thought [ɔn ˈrizən]

If you ordered your people to go and throw themselves into the sea, they would rise up in revolution.

• If: Introducing a conditional clause [ɪf]
• you ordered: If you commanded [ju ˈɔrdərd]
• your people: The citizens of your kingdom [jʊr ˈpipəl]
• to go: To move or travel [tɪ goʊ]
• and throw themselves: And hurl themselves [ənd θroʊ ðɛmˈsɛlvz]
• into the sea: Into the ocean [ˈɪntu ðə si]
• they: Referring to the people [ðeɪ]
• would rise up: Would revolt or rebel [wʊd raɪz əp]
• in revolution: In an uprising against authority [ɪn ˌrɛvəˈluʃən]

"Then my sunset?" the little prince reminded him: for he never forgot a question once he had asked it.

• Then: at that time; after that [ðɛn]
• my sunset: the sunset that the speaker wants to see [maɪ ˈsənˌsɛt]
• the little prince: referring to the character in the story [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]
• reminded: caused (someone) to remember something [riˈmaɪndɪd]
• him: referring to someone previously mentioned [ɪm]
• for: because [fər]
• he: referring to the little prince [hi]
• never forgot: did not ever forget [ˈnɛvər fərˈgɑt]
• a question: a sentence worded or expressed so as to elicit information [ə kˈwɛʃən]
• once: as soon as [wəns]
• he had asked it: referring to the question that the little prince had previously asked [hi hæd æst ɪt]

"You shall have your sunset.

• You shall have: You will have; a more formal way of saying 'you will have' [ju ʃæl hæv]
• your sunset: the sunset that the speaker wants to see [jʊr ˈsənˌsɛt]

I shall command it.

• I shall command: I will order; a more formal way of saying 'I will command' [aɪ ʃæl kəˈmænd]
• it: referring to the sunset [ɪt]