The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery- page 2

In the course of this life I have had a great many encounters with a great many people who have been concerned with matters of consequence.

• 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 have lived a great deal among grown-ups.

• 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 have seen them intimately, close at hand.

• 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 that hasn't much improved my opinion of them.

• 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 I met one of them who seemed to me at all clear-sighted, I tried the experiment of showing him my Drawing Number One, which I have always kept.

• 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 would try to find out, so, if this was a person of true understanding.

• 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]

"That is a hat."

• 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 I would never talk to that person about boa constrictors, or primeval forests, or stars.

• 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 would bring myself down to his level.

• 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 would talk to him about bridge, and golf, and politics, and neckties.

• 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 the grown-up would be greatly pleased to have met such a sensible man.

• 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 I lived my life alone, without anyone that I could really talk to, until I had an accident with my plane in the Desert of Sahara, six years ago.

• 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 was broken in my engine.

• 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 as I had with me neither a mechanic nor any passengers, I set myself to attempt the difficult repairs all alone.

• 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 a question of life or death for me: I had scarcely enough drinking water to last a week.

• 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, then, I went to sleep on the sand, a thousand miles from any human habitation.

• 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 more isolated than a shipwrecked sailor on a raft in the middle of the ocean.

• 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 you can imagine my amazement, at sunrise, when I was awakened by an odd little voice.

• 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]

"If you please — draw me a sheep!"

• 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 me a sheep!"

• 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 my feet, completely thunderstruck. I blinked my eyes hard. I looked carefully all around me.

• 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]
• blinked: to shut and open the eyes quickly [blɪŋkt]
• my eyes: the organs of sight [maɪ aɪz]
• hard: with great effort or force [hɑrd]
• 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 I saw a most extraordinary small person, who stood there examining me with great seriousness.

• And: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• 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]
• 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 you may see the best portrait that, later, I was able to make of him.

• 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]
• 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 my drawing is certainly very much less charming than its model.

• 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]