The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery- page 21

The businessman raised his head.

• The businessman: A person engaged in commercial or industrial business. [ðə ˈbɪznɪsˌmæn]
• raised his head: Lifted his head up, often to look at something or someone. [reɪzd hɪz hɛd]

"During the fifty-four years that I have inhabited this planet, I have been disturbed only three times.

• During the fifty-four years: Over a period of 54 years. [ˈdʊrɪŋ ðə fifty-four jɪrz]
• that I have inhabited this planet: That I have lived on this Earth. [ðət aɪ hæv ˌɪnˈhæbətəd ðɪs ˈplænət]
• I have been disturbed: I have been interrupted or bothered. [aɪ hæv bɪn dɪˈstərbd]
• only three times: Just three occasions. [ˈoʊnli θri taɪmz]

The first time was twenty-two years ago, when some giddy goose fell from goodness knows where.

• The first time: The initial instance. [ðə fərst taɪm]
• was twenty-two years ago: Occurred 22 years in the past. [wɑz tˈwɛntiˌtu jɪrz əˈgoʊ]
• when some giddy goose: A silly or foolish person. [wɪn səm ˈgɪdi gus]
• fell from goodness knows where: Fell from an unknown location. [fɛl frəm ˈgʊdnɪs noʊz wɛr]

He made the most frightful noise that resounded all over the place, and I made four mistakes in my addition.

• He made the most frightful noise: He created a terrible sound. [hi meɪd ðə moʊst ˈfraɪtfəl nɔɪz]
• that resounded all over the place: That echoed everywhere. [ðət resounded ɔl ˈoʊvər ðə pleɪs]
• and I made four mistakes in my addition: And I committed four errors in my calculation. [ənd aɪ meɪd fɔr mɪˈsteɪks ɪn maɪ əˈdɪʃən]

The second time, eleven years ago, I was disturbed by an attack of rheumatism.

• The second time: The second instance. [ðə ˈsɛkənd taɪm]
• eleven years ago: 11 years in the past. [ˈilɛvən jɪrz əˈgoʊ]
• I was disturbed by an attack of rheumatism: I was bothered by a bout of joint pain. [aɪ wɑz dɪˈstərbd baɪ ən əˈtæk əv ˈruməˌtɪzəm]

I don't get enough exercise.

• I don't get enough exercise: I do not have sufficient physical activity. [aɪ doʊnt gɪt ɪˈnəf ˈɛksərˌsaɪz]

I have no time for loafing.

• I have no time for loafing: I do not have time for being idle. [aɪ hæv noʊ taɪm fər loafing]

The third time — well, this is it!

• The third time: The third instance. [ðə θərd taɪm]
• well, this is it: This is the current disturbance. [ wɛl ðɪs ɪz ɪt]

"Millions of what?"

• Millions of what: An expression of surprise or confusion, asking for clarification about what is being referred to in the millions. [ˈmɪljənz əv wət]

The businessman suddenly realized that there was no hope of being left in peace until he answered this question.

• The businessman: A person engaged in commercial or industrial business [ðə ˈbɪznɪsˌmæn]
• suddenly: Quickly and unexpectedly [ˈsədənli]
• realized: Became aware of something [ˈriəˌlaɪzd]
• that: Used to introduce a subordinate clause [ðət]
• there was no hope: Indicates a lack of possibility or expectation [ðɛr wɑz noʊ hoʊp]
• of being left in peace: To be allowed to be undisturbed or uninterrupted [əv biɪŋ lɛft ɪn pis]
• until: Up to the point in time or the event mentioned [ənˈtɪl]
• he answered: Provided a response to [hi ˈænsərd]
• this question: The specific inquiry being made [ðɪs kˈwɛʃən]

"Millions of those little objects," he said, "which one sometimes sees in the sky."

• Millions of those little objects: Referring to a large quantity of small items [ˈmɪljənz əv ðoʊz ˈlɪtəl ˈɑbʤɛkts]
• he said: Indicates that the following words were spoken by him [hi sɛd]
• which: Used to introduce a relative clause [wɪʧ]
• one: Referring to people in general [wən]
• sometimes: Occasionally; now and then [ˈsəmˌtaɪmz]
• sees: Perceives with the eyes [siz]
• in the sky: The region of the atmosphere and outer space visible from Earth [ɪn ðə skaɪ]

"Flies?"

• Flies: Insects of a particular kind; used here to inquire if the objects are flies [flaɪz]

"Oh, no.

• Oh, no: An expression of disagreement or denial [oʊ noʊ]

"Bees?"

• Bees: Flying insects known for making honey; used here to inquire if the objects are bees [biz]

"Oh, no.

• Oh, no: An expression of disagreement or denial [oʊ noʊ]

Little golden objects that set lazy men to idle dreaming.

• Little golden objects: Small items that are gold in color [ˈlɪtəl ˈgoʊldən ˈɑbʤɛkts]
• that: Used to introduce a relative clause [ðət]
• set: Cause to be in a specified state [sɛt]
• lazy men: Men who are unwilling to work or use energy [ˈleɪzi mɛn]
• to idle dreaming: To engage in pointless or unproductive thoughts or fantasies [tɪ ˈaɪdəl ˈdrimɪŋ]

As for me, I am concerned with matters of consequence.

• As for me: Regarding myself [ɛz fər mi]
• I am concerned: I am worried or interested [aɪ æm kənˈsərnd]
• with matters of consequence: With important or significant issues [wɪθ ˈmætərz əv ˈkɑnsəkwəns]

"Ah!

• Ah: An exclamation of understanding or realization [ɑ]

"Yes, that's it.

• Yes, that's it: An affirmation indicating agreement or confirmation [jɛs ðæts ɪt]

"And what do you do with five-hundred millions of stars?"

• And what do you do: Asking about the actions performed [ənd wət du ju du]
• with five-hundred millions of stars: Referring to a very large number of stars and inquiring about their use or purpose [wɪθ five-hundred ˈmɪljənz əv stɑrz]

"Five-hundred-and-one million, six-hundred-twenty-two thousand, seven-hundred-thirty-one.

• Five-hundred-and-one million, six-hundred-twenty-two thousand, seven-hundred-thirty-one: A large number, specifically 501,622,731. It is stated precisely, indicating accuracy. [five-hundred-and-one ˈmɪljən six-hundred-twenty-two ˈθaʊzənd seven-hundred-thirty-one]

"And what do you do with these stars?"

• And what do you do: A question asking about someone's actions or purpose [ənd wət du ju du]
• with these stars: referring to a collection of stars [wɪθ ðiz stɑrz]

"What do I do with them?"

• What do I do: A question asking about the speaker's actions or purpose [wət du aɪ du]
• with them: referring to the stars mentioned previously [wɪθ ðɛm]

"Yes."

"Nothing.

• Nothing: Absence of something; in this context, indicating no specific action or purpose [ˈnəθɪŋ]

"You own the stars?"

• You own the stars: A question expressing surprise or disbelief at the claim of owning stars [ju oʊn ðə stɑrz]

"Yes."

"But I have already seen a king who — "

• But I have already seen: However, I have previously observed [bət aɪ hæv ɔˈrɛdi sin]
• a king: A male ruler of a kingdom [ə kɪŋ]
• who: Referring to the king [hu]

"Kings do not own, they reign over.

• Kings do not own: Kings do not possess or have ownership [kɪŋz du nɑt oʊn]
• they reign over: they rule or govern [ðeɪ reɪn ˈoʊvər]

"And what good does it do you to own the stars?"

• And what good does it do you: What benefit or advantage do you receive [ənd wət gʊd dɪz ɪt du ju]
• to own the stars: by possessing the stars [tɪ oʊn ðə stɑrz]

"It does me the good of making me rich."

• It does me the good: It benefits me [ɪt dɪz mi ðə gʊd]
• of making me rich: by increasing my wealth [əv ˈmeɪkɪŋ mi rɪʧ]

"And what good does it do you to be rich?"

• And what good does it do you: What benefit or advantage do you receive [ənd wət gʊd dɪz ɪt du ju]
• to be rich: by being wealthy [tɪ bi rɪʧ]

"It makes it possible for me to buy more stars, if any are discovered."

• It: Refers to an unspecified subject, likely the topic of the conversation [ɪt]
• makes it possible: creates the opportunity or ability [meɪks ɪt ˈpɑsəbəl]
• for me: indicates the beneficiary of the action, in this case, the speaker [fər mi]
• to buy more stars: to purchase additional celestial bodies, referring to the stars in the sky [tɪ baɪ mɔr stɑrz]
• if any are discovered: contingent upon the discovery of new stars [ɪf ˈɛni ər dɪˈskəvərd]

"This man," the little prince said to himself, "reasons a little like my poor tippler..."

• This man: Referring to a specific individual the little prince is observing [ðɪs mæn]
• the little prince said to himself: Indicates the speaker and that the thought is internal [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns sɛd tɪ hɪmˈsɛlf]
• reasons: Thinks or uses logic [ˈrizənz]
• a little like: Somewhat similar to [ə ˈlɪtəl laɪk]
• my poor tippler: Referring to someone the prince knows who drinks alcohol regularly and is perhaps pitied for it [maɪ pur tippler]

Nevertheless, he still had some more questions.

• Nevertheless: Despite what has just been said; however [ˌnɛvərðəˈlɛs]
• he: Referring to a previously mentioned person [hi]
• still had: Continued to possess [stɪl hæd]
• some more questions: Additional inquiries or things to ask [səm mɔr kˈwɛsʧənz]

"How is it possible for one to own the stars?"

• How is it possible: In what way is it feasible or achievable [haʊ ɪz ɪt ˈpɑsəbəl]
• for one: For a person; anyone [fər wən]
• to own the stars: To possess or have rights over celestial bodies [tɪ oʊn ðə stɑrz]

"To whom do they belong?" the businessman retorted, peevishly.

• To whom: To which person or entity [tɪ hum]
• do they belong: Is the rightful owner of something [du ðeɪ bɪˈlɔŋ]
• the businessman retorted: The businessman replied sharply or defensively [ðə ˈbɪznɪsˌmæn riˈtɔrtɪd]
• peevishly: In an irritable or annoyed manner [peevishly]

"I don't know.

• I don't know: The speaker lacks the information [aɪ doʊnt noʊ]

"Then they belong to me, because I was the first person to think of it."

• Then: Therefore; as a consequence [ðɛn]
• they belong to me: The speaker claims ownership [ðeɪ bɪˈlɔŋ tɪ mi]
• because: For the reason that [bɪˈkəz]
• I was the first person: The speaker was the initial individual [aɪ wɑz ðə fərst ˈpərsən]
• to think of it: To have the idea or concept [tɪ θɪŋk əv ɪt]