"Is that all(Is that everything; is that sufficient [ɪz ðət ɔl]) that is necessary(That is required or needed [ðət ɪz ˈnɛsəˌsɛri])?"
"Certainly(Definitely; without a doubt [ˈsərtənli]). When you find(If you locate or discover [wɪn ju faɪnd]) a diamond(A precious gemstone [ə ˈdaɪmənd]) that belongs to nobody(That is not owned by anyone [ðət bɪˈlɔŋz tɪ ˈnoʊˌbɑˌdi]), it is yours(You have the right to possess it [ɪt ɪz jʊrz]). When you discover(If you find or come across [wɪn ju dɪˈskəvər]) an island(A landmass surrounded by water [ən ˈaɪlənd]) that belongs to nobody(That is not owned by anyone [ðət bɪˈlɔŋz tɪ ˈnoʊˌbɑˌdi]), it is yours(You have the right to possess it [ɪt ɪz jʊrz]). When you get an idea(If you conceive a thought or concept [wɪn ju gɪt ən aɪˈdiə]) before any one else(Before anyone else does [ˌbiˈfɔr ˈɛni wən ɛls]), you take out a patent(You obtain legal protection for your invention [ju teɪk aʊt ə ˈpætənt]) on it(For the idea [ɔn ɪt]): it is yours(You have the exclusive rights to it [ɪt ɪz jʊrz]). So with me(Similarly in my case [soʊ wɪθ mi]): I own the stars(I possess the celestial bodies [aɪ oʊn ðə stɑrz]), because(For the reason that [bɪˈkəz]) nobody else before me(No one prior to me [ˈnoʊˌbɑˌdi ɛls ˌbiˈfɔr mi]) ever thought of(Considered or conceived the idea [ˈɛvər θɔt əv]) owning them(Possessing the stars [ˈoʊnɪŋ ðɛm])."
"Yes(affirmative response or agreement [jɛs]), that is true(agreement with a previous statement; indicating that something is correct or factual [ðət ɪz tru])," said the little prince. "And(used to connect clauses or sentences [ənd]) what do you do(asking about someone's activities or actions [wət du ju du]) with them(referring to something previously mentioned, in this context likely possessions or items [wɪθ ðɛm])?"
"I administer them(I manage or control them [aɪ ədˈmɪnɪstər ðɛm])," replied the businessman. "I count them(I enumerate them; determine their quantity [aɪ kaʊnt ðɛm]) and(used to connect clauses or sentences [ənd]) recount them(count them again [ˌriˈkaʊnt ðɛm]). It is difficult(It is challenging or not easy [ɪt ɪz ˈdɪfəkəlt]). But(used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said [bət]) I am a man(referring to oneself as a male individual [aɪ æm ə mæn]) who is naturally interested(having an innate or inherent interest [hu ɪz ˈnæʧərəli ˈɪntəˌrɛstɪd]) in matters of consequence(in important or significant issues [ɪn ˈmætərz əv ˈkɑnsəkwəns])."
The little prince was still not satisfied.
"If I owned(hypothetical situation; if I possessed [ɪf aɪ oʊnd]) a silk scarf(a scarf made of silk fabric [ə sɪlk skɑrf])," he said, "I could put it around my neck(I would be able to wear it around my neck [aɪ kʊd pʊt ɪt əraʊnd maɪ nɛk]) and(used to connect clauses or sentences [ənd]) take it away with me(bring it with me when I leave [teɪk ɪt əˈweɪ wɪθ mi]). If I owned(hypothetical situation; if I possessed [ɪf aɪ oʊnd]) a flower(a blossom or bloom [ə flaʊər]), I could pluck that flower(I would be able to pick or remove the flower [aɪ kʊd plək ðət flaʊər]) and(used to connect clauses or sentences [ənd]) take it away with me(bring it with me when I leave [teɪk ɪt əˈweɪ wɪθ mi]). But(used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said [bət]) you cannot pluck(you are unable to pick or remove [ju ˈkænɑt plək]) the stars from heaven(the celestial bodies from the sky [ðə stɑrz frəm ˈhɛvən])..."
"No(negative response or disagreement [noʊ]). But(used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said [bət]) I can put them(I am able to place them [aɪ kən pʊt ðɛm]) in the bank(in a financial institution where money is kept [ɪn ðə bæŋk])."
"Whatever(used to express surprise or confusion about something that has been said or done [ˌwəˈtɛvər]) does(auxiliary verb used to form questions or emphasize a statement [dɪz]) that(referring to something previously mentioned or understood [ðət]) mean(to express or represent something such as an idea, thought, or fact [min])?"
"That(referring to something previously mentioned or understood [ðət]) means(to signify or represent something [minz]) that(introducing a clause that explains or defines the previous statement [ðət]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) write(to mark letters, words, or other symbols on a surface, typically paper, with a pen, pencil, or similar implement [raɪt]) the number(a quantity or amount [ðə ˈnəmbər]) of(expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]) my(belonging to or associated with the speaker or writer [maɪ]) stars(celestial bodies appearing as fixed luminous points in the night sky [stɑrz]) on(indicating a surface or position [ɔn]) a little paper(a small piece of paper [ə ˈlɪtəl ˈpeɪpər]). And(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) then(at that time; after that [ðɛn]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) put(to move something to a particular place or position [pʊt]) this paper(referring to the paper mentioned earlier [ðɪs ˈpeɪpər]) in(expressing the situation of something that is or appears to be enclosed or surrounded by something else [ɪn]) a drawer(a box-like compartment without a top that slides in and out of a cabinet or other piece of furniture [ə drɔr]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) lock(to fasten or secure (something) with a lock [lɑk]) it(referring to the drawer [ɪt]) with(accompanied by (something [wɪθ]) a key(an instrument used to operate a lock [ə ki])."
"And(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) that(referring to something previously mentioned or understood [ðət]) is(linking verb, indicating a state of being [ɪz]) all(everything; the whole amount or extent of something [ɔl])?"
"That(referring to something previously mentioned or understood [ðət]) is(linking verb, indicating a state of being [ɪz]) enough(sufficient; adequate [ɪˈnəf])," said(past tense of 'say', to utter words [sɛd]) the businessman(a person who works in business, especially one having an ownership stake or managerial role [ðə ˈbɪznɪsˌmæn]).
"It(referring to something previously mentioned or understood [ɪt]) is(linking verb, indicating a state of being [ɪz]) entertaining(providing amusement or enjoyment [ˌɛnərˈteɪnɪŋ])," thought(past tense of 'think', to have a particular belief or idea [θɔt]) the little prince(referring to the character in the story [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]). "It(referring to the situation or idea being discussed [ɪt]) is(linking verb, indicating a state of being [ɪz]) rather(to a certain extent; somewhat [ˈrəðər]) poetic(having an imaginative or sensitively emotional style [poʊˈɛtɪk]). But(used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said [bət]) it(referring to the situation or idea being discussed [ɪt]) is(linking verb, indicating a state of being [ɪz]) of(expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]) no great consequence(not important or significant [noʊ greɪt ˈkɑnsəkwəns])."
On(concerning; regarding [ɔn]) matters(an issue or topic under consideration [ˈmætərz]) of(expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]) consequence(importance or significance [ˈkɑnsəkwəns]), the little prince(referring to the character in the story [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]) had(past tense of 'have', to possess or experience [hæd]) ideas(a thought or suggestion as to a possible course of action [aɪˈdiəz]) which(used to introduce a relative clause giving further information about something previously mentioned [wɪʧ]) were(past tense plural of 'be', indicating a state of being [wər]) very different(not alike; dissimilar [ˈvɛri ˈdɪfərənt]) from(indicating separation or exclusion [frəm]) those(referring to the ideas [ðoʊz]) of(expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]) the grown-ups(adults [ðə ˈgroʊˌnəps]).
"I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) myself(used for emphasis, referring to the speaker or writer [ˌmaɪˈsɛlf]) own(to have something as one's own; possess [oʊn]) a flower(the seed-bearing part of a plant, consisting of reproductive organs surrounded by brightly colored petals and sepals [ə flaʊər])," he continued(he carried on [hi kənˈtɪnjud]) his conversation(an exchange of sentiments, observations, opinions, or ideas [hɪz ˌkɑnvərˈseɪʃən]) with(accompanied by (something [wɪθ]) the businessman(a person who works in business, especially one having an ownership stake or managerial role [ðə ˈbɪznɪsˌmæn]), "which(used to introduce a relative clause giving further information about something previously mentioned [wɪʧ]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) water(to pour water on (a plant or the soil around it [ˈwɔtər]) every day(each day; daily [ˈɛvəri deɪ]). I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) own(to have something as one's own; possess [oʊn]) three volcanoes(a mountain or hill, typically conical, having a crater or vent through which lava, rock fragments, hot vapor, and gas are or have been erupted from the earth's crust [θri vɑlˈkeɪnoʊz]), which(used to introduce a relative clause giving further information about something previously mentioned [wɪʧ]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) clean out(to remove the contents of something; to tidy or clear something [klin aʊt]) every week(each week; weekly [ˈɛvəri wik]) (for(because [fər]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) also(in addition; too [ˈɔlsoʊ]) clean out(to remove the contents of something; to tidy or clear something [klin aʊt]) the one(referring to the volcano [ðə wən]) that(used to introduce a relative clause giving further information about something previously mentioned [ðət]) is extinct(no longer active or erupting [ɪz ɪkˈstɪŋkt]); one(used to refer to people in general [wən]) never knows(is uncertain; cannot be sure [ˈnɛvər noʊz])). It(referring to the action of cleaning the volcanoes and watering the flower [ɪt]) is(linking verb, indicating a state of being [ɪz]) of(expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]) some use(beneficial or helpful to some extent [səm juz]) to(expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]) my volcanoes(referring to the volcanoes owned by the speaker [maɪ vɑlˈkeɪnoʊz]), and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) it(referring to the action of cleaning the volcanoes and watering the flower [ɪt]) is(linking verb, indicating a state of being [ɪz]) of(expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]) some use(beneficial or helpful to some extent [səm juz]) to(expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]) my flower(referring to the flower owned by the speaker [maɪ flaʊər]), that(introducing a clause that explains or defines the previous statement [ðət]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) own(to have something as one's own; possess [oʊn]) them(referring to the volcanoes and the flower [ðɛm]). But(used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said [bət]) you(the person or people that the speaker is addressing [ju]) are(linking verb, indicating a state of being [ər]) of(expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]) no use(not beneficial or helpful [noʊ juz]) to(expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]) the stars(celestial bodies appearing as fixed luminous points in the night sky [ðə stɑrz])..."
The(definite article, referring to a specific businessman [ðə]) businessman(a person who works in business, especially one in a high position [ˈbɪznɪsˌmæn]) opened(past tense of 'open', meaning to move or adjust (something) so as to allow access or visibility [ˈoʊpənd]) his(possessive pronoun, referring to the businessman [hɪz]) mouth(the opening in the face through which food is taken in and vocal sounds are emitted [maʊθ]), but(conjunction, introducing a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something already said [bət]) he(pronoun, referring to the businessman [hi]) found(past tense of 'find', meaning to discover or perceive by chance or unexpectedly [faʊnd]) nothing(not anything; no single thing [ˈnəθɪŋ]) to say(to utter words; express an opinion or idea [tɪ seɪ]) in answer(as a reply or response [ɪn ˈænsər]). And(conjunction, used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) the(definite article, referring to a specific little prince [ðə]) little prince(a young member of a royal family [ˈlɪtəl prɪns]) went away(to leave; depart [wɛnt əˈweɪ]).
"The(definite article, referring to a specific group of grown-ups [ðə]) grown-ups(adults [ˈgroʊˌnəps]) are(present tense of the verb 'to be' [ər]) certainly(definitely; without doubt [ˈsərtənli]) altogether(completely; entirely [ˌɔltəˈgɛðər]) extraordinary(very unusual or remarkable [ˌɛkstrəˈɔrdəˌnɛri])," he said(reporting clause indicating who is speaking [hi sɛd]) simply(in a straightforward or uncomplicated way [ˈsɪmpli]), talking to himself(speaking aloud when no one else is present, often reflecting on one's thoughts [ˈtɔkɪŋ tɪ hɪmˈsɛlf]) as(conjunction, used to indicate that something happens during the time that something else is taking place [ɛz]) he(pronoun, referring to the speaker [hi]) continued(past tense of 'continue', meaning to proceed or keep going [kənˈtɪnjud]) on his journey(during his travels [ɔn hɪz ˈʤərni]).
XIV
Allumeur.jpg
The(definite article, referring to a specific planet [ðə]) fifth planet(the planet that is fifth in a sequence or order [fɪθ ˈplænət]) was(past tense of the verb 'to be' [wɑz]) very strange(unusual or odd [ˈvɛri streɪnʤ]). It(pronoun, referring to the fifth planet [ɪt]) was(past tense of the verb 'to be' [wɑz]) the smallest(the least in size or extent [ðə sˈmɔləst]) of all(out of all the things or people in question [əv ɔl]). There(used to indicate the existence or presence of something [ðɛr]) was(past tense of the verb 'to be' [wɑz]) just enough(only the required amount [ʤɪst ɪˈnəf]) room(space [rum]) on it(on the planet [ɔn ɪt]) for(indicating purpose [fər]) a street lamp(a light source on a pole along a street [ə strit læmp]) and(conjunction, connecting two similar items [ənd]) a lamplighter(a person who lights and extinguishes street lamps [ə ˈlæmˌplaɪtər]). The(definite article, referring to a specific little prince [ðə]) little prince(a young member of a royal family [ˈlɪtəl prɪns]) was not able(did not have the ability [wɑz nɑt ˈeɪbəl]) to reach(to arrive at [tɪ riʧ]) any explanation(a reason or justification [ˈɛni ˌɛkspləˈneɪʃən]) of the use(the purpose or function [əv ðə juz]) of a street lamp(a light source on a pole along a street [əv ə strit læmp]) and(conjunction, connecting two similar items [ənd]) a lamplighter(a person who lights and extinguishes street lamps [ə ˈlæmˌplaɪtər]), somewhere(in or at an unknown or unspecified place [ˈsəmˌwɛr]) in the heavens(in the sky or universe [ɪn ðə ˈhɛvənz]), on a planet(on a celestial body [ɔn ə ˈplænət]) which(relative pronoun, referring to the planet [wɪʧ]) had no people(did not have any inhabitants [hæd noʊ ˈpipəl]), and(conjunction, connecting two similar items [ənd]) not one house(not a single dwelling [nɑt wən haʊs]). But(conjunction, introducing a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something already said [bət]) he said(reporting clause indicating who is speaking [hi sɛd]) to himself(speaking quietly to oneself [tɪ hɪmˈsɛlf]), nevertheless(in spite of that; nonetheless [ˌnɛvərðəˈlɛs]):