In the course of(during the time of; while doing something [ɪn ðə kɔrs əv]) this life(the period from birth to death [ðɪs laɪf]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themself [aɪ]) have had(to experience or possess [hæv hæd]) a great many(a large number of [ə greɪt ˈmɛni]) encounters(meetings, especially unexpected ones [ɪnˈkaʊnərz]) with(in the company of; involving [wɪθ]) a great many(a large number of [ə greɪt ˈmɛni]) people(human beings in general or considered collectively [ˈpipəl]) who(used to introduce a relative clause [hu]) have been concerned(to be involved or interested in [hæv bɪn kənˈsərnd]) with(regarding; relating to [wɪθ]) matters of consequence(important or significant issues [ˈmætərz əv ˈkɑnsəkwəns]). I(the speaker or writer referring to themself [aɪ]) have lived(to have spent one's life in a particular way or place [hæv lɪvd]) a great deal(a lot; to a large extent [ə greɪt dil]) among(in the middle of or surrounded by [əˈməŋ]) grown-ups(adults [ˈgroʊˌnəps]). I(the speaker or writer referring to themself [aɪ]) have seen(to have observed or witnessed [hæv sin]) them(referring to the grown-ups [ðɛm]) intimately(in a close and personal way [ˈɪntɪmətli]), close at hand(nearby; within easy reach or observation [kloʊz æt hænd]). And(used to connect clauses or sentences [ənd]) that(referring to the experience of seeing grown-ups intimately [ðət]) hasn't much improved(has not significantly made better [ˈhæzənt məʧ ˌɪmˈpruvd]) my opinion(a belief or judgment about something [maɪ əˈpɪnjən]) of them(regarding the grown-ups [əv ðɛm]).
Whenever(at any or every time that; on every occasion that [wɛˈnɛvər]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themself [aɪ]) met(past tense of 'meet', meaning to encounter or come into contact with someone [mɛt]) one of them(referring to a person from a group previously mentioned or implied [wən əv ðɛm]) who(relative pronoun referring to 'one of them' [hu]) seemed(appeared to be; gave the impression of being [simd]) to me(in my opinion or according to my perception [tɪ mi]) at all(in any way; to any extent [æt ɔl]) clear-sighted(having or showing an understanding of things; perceptive [clear-sighted]), I(the speaker or writer referring to themself [aɪ]) tried(past tense of 'try', meaning to make an attempt or effort [traɪd]) the experiment(a scientific procedure undertaken to make a discovery, test a hypothesis, or demonstrate a known fact [ðə ɪkˈspɛrəmənt]) of showing(the act of presenting or displaying something [əv ʃoʊɪŋ]) him(referring to the person who seemed clear-sighted [ɪm]) my(belonging to or associated with the speaker [maɪ]) Drawing Number One(a specific drawing, the first in a series or of particular significance [drɔɪŋ ˈnəmbər wən]), which(relative pronoun referring to 'Drawing Number One' [wɪʧ]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themself [aɪ]) have always kept(have retained or preserved continuously [hæv ˈɔlˌweɪz kɛpt]). I(the speaker or writer referring to themself [aɪ]) would try(used to express intention or willingness to do something [wʊd traɪ]) to find out(to discover or obtain information [tɪ faɪnd aʊt]), so(therefore; for that reason [soʊ]), if(expressing a condition or supposition [ɪf]) this(referring to the act of showing the drawing [ðɪs]) was(past tense of 'be', linking the subject to a predicate [wɑz]) a person(an individual human being [ə ˈpərsən]) of true understanding(possessing genuine insight and comprehension [əv tru ˌəndərˈstændɪŋ]). But(used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been said previously [bət]), whoever(no matter who; anyone who [huˈɛvər]) it(referring to the person being shown the drawing [ɪt]) was(past tense of 'be', linking the subject to a predicate [wɑz]), he, or she(referring to either a male or female person [hi ər ʃi]), would always say(would invariably or consistently state [wʊd ˈɔlˌweɪz seɪ]):
"That(referring to something previously mentioned or understood [ðət]) is(present tense of 'be', linking the subject to a predicate [ɪz]) a hat(a covering for the head [ə hæt])."
Then(after that; next [ðɛn]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themself [aɪ]) would never talk(would not engage in conversation [wʊd ˈnɛvər tɔk]) to that person(referring to the person who identified the drawing as a hat [tɪ ðət ˈpərsən]) about(concerning; regarding [əˈbaʊt]) boa constrictors(a type of large snake that kills its prey by constriction [boʊə kənˈstrɪktərz]), or(used to link alternatives or possibilities [ər]) primeval forests(forests that have existed since the earliest times; ancient forests [praɪˈmivəl ˈfɔrəsts]), or(used to link alternatives or possibilities [ər]) stars(celestial bodies that emit light and heat [stɑrz]). I(the speaker or writer referring to themself [aɪ]) would bring myself down(would lower myself or my conversation [wʊd brɪŋ ˌmaɪˈsɛlf daʊn]) to his level(to the level of understanding or interest of the other person [tɪ hɪz ˈlɛvəl]). I(the speaker or writer referring to themself [aɪ]) would talk(would engage in conversation [wʊd tɔk]) to him(referring to the person who identified the drawing as a hat [tɪ ɪm]) about(concerning; regarding [əˈbaʊt]) bridge(a card game [brɪʤ]), and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) golf(a sport played with clubs and a ball [gɔlf]), and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) politics(activities associated with the governance of a country or area [ˈpɑləˌtɪks]), and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) neckties(a piece of cloth worn around the neck, especially by men [ˈnɛkˌtaɪz]). And(used to introduce a further point or idea [ənd]) the grown-up(an adult person [ðə ˈgroʊˌnəp]) would be greatly pleased(would be very happy or satisfied [wʊd bi ˈgreɪtli plizd]) to have met(to have encountered or come into contact with [tɪ hæv mɛt]) such a sensible man(a man who is practical, reasonable, and showing good judgment [səʧ ə ˈsɛnsəbəl mæn]).
II
So(used to indicate a consequence or result [soʊ]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) lived(past tense of 'live', meaning to have one's home in a particular place or to stay alive [lɪvd]) my life(the period of time during which a person is alive [maɪ laɪf]) alone(without anyone else present; solitary [əˈloʊn]), without(in the absence of; not having [wɪˈθaʊt]) anyone(any person; no one in particular [ˈɛniˌwən]) that(used to introduce a relative clause [ðət]) I could(indicates the ability or possibility of the speaker [aɪ kʊd]) really(in fact; actually [ˈrɪli]) talk to(to have a conversation with someone [tɔk tɪ]), until(up to the point in time or the event mentioned [ənˈtɪl]) I had(past tense of 'have', indicating possession or experience [aɪ hæd]) an accident(an unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally, typically resulting in damage or injury [ən ˈæksədənt]) with(accompanied by; using [wɪθ]) my plane(the speaker's aircraft [maɪ pleɪn]) in(expressing the situation of something surrounded or enclosed [ɪn]) the Desert of Sahara(a specific large desert, the Sahara [ðə ˈdɛzərt əv səˈhɛrə]), six years ago(a period of six years in the past [sɪks jɪrz əˈgoʊ]). Something(an unspecified or unknown thing [ˈsəmθɪŋ]) was broken(past passive of 'break', meaning damaged or not working [wɑz ˈbroʊkən]) in(indicating the location or containment of something [ɪn]) my engine(the speaker's engine, referring to the plane's engine [maɪ ˈɪnʤən]). And(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) as(because; since [ɛz]) I had(past tense of 'have', indicating possession or experience [aɪ hæd]) with me(in my possession or company [wɪθ mi]) neither(not one nor the other of two things [ˈniðər]) a mechanic(a person who repairs and maintains machinery [ə mɪˈkænɪk]) nor(used to introduce a further negative statement [nɔr]) any(one or some or every of a number of things, especially when it is not important which [ˈɛni]) passengers(people who are traveling in a vehicle but are not driving it [ˈpæsənʤərz]), I set myself(I prepared or resolved myself [aɪ sɛt ˌmaɪˈsɛlf]) to attempt(to try or make an effort to do something [tɪ əˈtɛmpt]) the difficult repairs(the challenging or complicated repairs needed [ðə ˈdɪfəkəlt rɪˈpɛrz]) all alone(completely by oneself; without any help [ɔl əˈloʊn]). It was(past tense of 'it is', referring to a situation or condition [ɪt wɑz]) a question(a matter or issue to be resolved [ə kˈwɛʃən]) of life or death(a situation where the outcome will determine whether someone lives or dies [əv laɪf ər dɛθ]) for me(in my case; concerning me [fər mi]): I had(past tense of 'have', indicating possession or experience [aɪ hæd]) scarcely(barely; hardly; almost not [ˈskɛrsli]) enough(sufficient; adequate [ɪˈnəf]) drinking water(water that is safe to drink [ˈdrɪŋkɪŋ ˈwɔtər]) to last(to continue or endure for a specified period [tɪ læst]) a week(a period of seven days [ə wik]).
The first night(the initial night of a particular period or event [ðə fərst naɪt]), then(at that time; also; in addition [ðɛn]), I went(past tense of 'go', meaning to move or travel [aɪ wɛnt]) to sleep(the state of being asleep [tɪ slip]) on the sand(on the grains of rock material [ɔn ðə sænd]), a thousand miles(a great distance, specifically one thousand miles [ə ˈθaʊzənd maɪəlz]) from(indicating separation or distance [frəm]) any human habitation(any place where people live [ˈɛni ˈjumən ˌhæbəˈteɪʃən]). I was(past tense of 'I am' [aɪ wɑz]) more isolated(more separated from others; more remote [mɔr ˈaɪsəˌleɪtɪd]) than(used to introduce the second element in a comparison [ðən]) a shipwrecked sailor(a sailor who has survived a shipwreck [ə shipwrecked ˈseɪlər]) on a raft(a flat structure for support or transportation on water [ɔn ə ræft]) in the middle(at the central point or part [ɪn ðə ˈmɪdəl]) of the ocean(the vast body of saltwater that covers most of the Earth's surface [əv ðə ˈoʊʃən]). Thus(as a result or consequence of this; therefore [ðəs]) you can imagine(it is possible for you to picture or conceive [ju kən ˌɪˈmæʤən]) my amazement(the speaker's great surprise or wonder [maɪ əˈmeɪzmənt]), at sunrise(at the time when the sun appears above the horizon in the morning [æt ˈsənˌraɪz]), when(at or during the time that [wɪn]) I was awakened(I was roused from sleep [aɪ wɑz əˈweɪkənd]) by(indicating the agent performing an action [baɪ]) an odd little voice(a strange or peculiar small voice [ən ɑd ˈlɪtəl vɔɪs]). It said(the voice uttered the following words [ɪt sɛd]):
"If you please(a polite expression used to make a request [ɪf ju pliz]) — draw(to create a picture using lines, often with a pencil or pen [drɔ]) me(used by a speaker to refer to himself/herself as the object of a verb or preposition [mi]) a sheep(a domestic animal with a thick woolly coat [ə ʃip])!"
"What!"
"Draw(to create a picture using lines, often with a pencil or pen [drɔ]) me(used by a speaker to refer to himself/herself as the object of a verb or preposition [mi]) a sheep(a domestic animal with a thick woolly coat [ə ʃip])!"
I jumped(to push oneself off a surface and into the air by using the muscles in one's legs and feet [ʤəmpt]) to my feet(to stand up quickly [tɪ maɪ fit]), completely(totally; entirely [kəmˈplitli]) thunderstruck(extremely surprised or shocked [ˈθəndərˌstrək]). I blinked(to shut and open the eyes quickly [blɪŋkt]) my eyes(the organs of sight [maɪ aɪz]) hard(with great effort or force [hɑrd]). I looked(to turn one's eyes in a specified direction or to look with attention [lʊkt]) carefully(in a way that deliberately avoids potential danger or problems; cautiously [ˈkɛrfəli]) all around me(everywhere surrounding the speaker [ɔl əraʊnd mi]). And(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) I saw(perceive with the eyes; discern visually [sɔ]) a most extraordinary(very unusual or remarkable [ə moʊst ˌɛkstrəˈɔrdəˌnɛri]) small person(a human being of short stature [smɔl ˈpərsən]), who stood(be in or maintain an upright position on one's feet [stʊd]) there(in or at that place or position [ðɛr]) examining(inspect (someone or something) in detail to determine their nature or condition; investigate thoroughly [ɪgˈzæmɪnɪŋ]) me(used by a speaker to refer to himself/herself as the object of a verb or preposition [mi]) with great seriousness(in a grave or solemn manner [wɪθ greɪt ˈsɪriəsnəs]). Here(in or at this place or position [hir]) you may see(it is possible for you to see [ju meɪ si]) the best portrait(the most accurate or aesthetically pleasing representation of a person [ðə bɛst ˈpɔrtrət]) that(used to identify a specific thing or person observed or heard by the speaker [ðət]), later(at a time subsequent to a previous time [ˈleɪtər]), I was able to make(had the skill or opportunity to create [wɑz ˈeɪbəl tɪ meɪk]) of him(referring to the small person [əv ɪm]). But(used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been said previously [bət]) my drawing(a picture or diagram made with a pencil, pen, or crayon rather than paint [maɪ drɔɪŋ]) is certainly(used to express certainty or confidence [ɪz ˈsərtənli]) very much less charming(significantly less attractive or pleasing [ˈvɛri məʧ lɛs ˈʧɑrmɪŋ]) than(used for comparisons [ðən]) its model(the person or thing that a representation is based on [ɪts ˈmɑdəl]).