The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery- page 23

"It may well be that this man is absurd.

• It may well be: expresses a strong possibility or likelihood [ɪt meɪ wɛl bi]
• that this man is absurd: that this man is ridiculous or unreasonable [ðət ðɪs mæn ɪz əbˈsərd]

But he is not so absurd as the king, the conceited man, the businessman, and the tippler.

• But: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been said previously [bət]
• he is not so absurd as: he is not as ridiculous as [hi ɪz nɑt soʊ əbˈsərd ɛz]
• the king: the male ruler of an independent state, especially one who inherits the position by right of birth [ðə kɪŋ]
• the conceited man: a man who has an excessively high opinion of himself [ðə kənˈsitəd mæn]
• the businessman: a person engaged in commercial or industrial business [ðə ˈbɪznɪsˌmæn]
• and the tippler: a person who habitually drinks alcohol [ənd ðə tippler]

For at least his work has some meaning.

• For: used to introduce a reason for something that has just been said [fər]
• at least: used to indicate that something is the minimum that is true or possible [æt list]
• his work has some meaning: his work has a purpose or significance [hɪz wərk həz səm ˈminɪŋ]

When he lights his street lamp, it is as if he brought one more star to life, or one flower.

• When he lights his street lamp: when he turns on the light of his street lamp [wɪn hi laɪts hɪz strit læmp]
• it is as if: it seems like [ɪt ɪz ɛz ɪf]
• he brought one more star to life: he made one more star appear to be shining or alive [hi brɔt wən mɔr stɑr tɪ laɪf]
• or one flower: or one flower appeared [ər wən flaʊər]

When he puts out his lamp, he sends the flower, or the star, to sleep.

• When he puts out his lamp: when he extinguishes his lamp [wɪn hi pʊts aʊt hɪz læmp]
• he sends the flower, or the star, to sleep: he makes the flower or star disappear as if they are going to sleep [hi sɛndz ðə flaʊər ər ðə stɑr tɪ slip]

That is a beautiful occupation.

• That is a beautiful occupation: that is a wonderful job [ðət ɪz ə ˈbjutəfəl ˌɑkjəˈpeɪʃən]

When he arrived on the planet he respectfully saluted the lamplighter.

• When he arrived on the planet: Upon reaching the celestial body [wɪn hi əraɪvd ɔn ðə ˈplænət]
• he respectfully saluted: he greeted with respect [hi rɪˈspɛktfəli səˈlutəd]
• the lamplighter: the person who lights the street lamps [ðə ˈlæmˌplaɪtər]

"Good morning.

• Good morning: a greeting used in the morning [gʊd ˈmɔrnɪŋ]

"Those are the orders," replied the lamplighter. "Good morning."

• Those are the orders: This phrase indicates that the speaker is conveying instructions or commands that must be followed. [ðoʊz ər ðə ˈɔrdərz]
• replied: responded or answered [rɪˈplaɪd]
• the lamplighter: the person whose job is to light and extinguish street lamps [ðə ˈlæmˌplaɪtər]
• Good morning: a polite greeting used when meeting someone in the morning [gʊd ˈmɔrnɪŋ]

"What are the orders?"

• What are the orders: A question asking for clarification about the specific instructions or commands that have been given. [wət ər ðə ˈɔrdərz]

"The orders are that I put out my lamp.

• The orders are that I put out my lamp: The instructions are to extinguish the lamp. [ðə ˈɔrdərz ər ðət aɪ pʊt aʊt maɪ læmp]

And he lighted his lamp again.

• And he lighted his lamp again: He turned on his lamp once more. [ənd hi ˈlaɪtɪd hɪz læmp əˈgɛn]

"But why have you just lighted it again?"

• But why have you just lighted it again: A question expressing confusion or seeking an explanation for relighting the lamp. [bət waɪ hæv ju ʤɪst ˈlaɪtɪd ɪt əˈgɛn]

"Those are the orders," replied the lamplighter.

• Those are the orders: This phrase indicates that the speaker is conveying instructions or commands that must be followed. [ðoʊz ər ðə ˈɔrdərz]
• replied: responded or answered [rɪˈplaɪd]
• the lamplighter: the person whose job is to light and extinguish street lamps [ðə ˈlæmˌplaɪtər]

"I do not understand," said the little prince.

• I do not understand: Expressing a lack of comprehension. [aɪ du nɑt ˌəndərˈstænd]
• said: uttered or spoke [sɛd]
• the little prince: the young royal character [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]

"There is nothing to understand," said the lamplighter. "Orders are orders.

• There is nothing to understand: Suggesting that the situation is straightforward and requires no further explanation. [ðɛr ɪz ˈnəθɪŋ tɪ ˌəndərˈstænd]
• said: uttered or spoke [sɛd]
• the lamplighter: the person whose job is to light and extinguish street lamps [ðə ˈlæmˌplaɪtər]
• Orders are orders: Emphasizing that instructions must be followed without question. [ˈɔrdərz ər ˈɔrdərz]

And he put out his lamp.

• And he put out his lamp: He extinguished his lamp. [ənd hi pʊt aʊt hɪz læmp]

Then he mopped his forehead with a handkerchief decorated with red squares.

• Then he mopped his forehead: He wiped his forehead [ðɛn hi mɑpt hɪz ˈfɔrhɛd]
• with a handkerchief: with a small piece of cloth used for wiping the face or hands [wɪθ ə ˈhæŋkərʧɪf]
• decorated with red squares: having a pattern of red squares [ˈdɛkərˌeɪtɪd wɪθ rɛd skwɛrz]

"I follow a terrible profession.

• I follow a terrible profession: I have a very difficult or unpleasant job. [aɪ ˈfɑloʊ ə ˈtɛrəbəl prəˈfɛʃən]

In the old days it was reasonable.

• In the old days: In the past; formerly [ɪn ðə oʊld deɪz]
• it was reasonable: it made sense; it was logical [ɪt wɑz ˈrizənəbəl]

I put the lamp out in the morning, and in the evening I lighted it again.

• I put the lamp out: I extinguished the lamp [aɪ pʊt ðə læmp aʊt]
• in the morning: at the beginning of the day [ɪn ðə ˈmɔrnɪŋ]
• and in the evening: at the end of the day [ənd ɪn ðə ˈivnɪŋ]
• I lighted it again: I turned it on again [aɪ ˈlaɪtɪd ɪt əˈgɛn]

"And the orders have been changed since that time?"

• And: used to connect clauses or sentences [ənd]
• the: definite article, referring to specific orders [ðə]
• orders: instructions or commands [ˈɔrdərz]
• have been changed: past perfect passive voice, indicating that the orders were changed at some point before the time of speaking [hæv bɪn ʧeɪnʤd]
• since: from a specific time in the past until now [sɪns]
• that time: referring to a previously mentioned point in time [ðət taɪm]

"The orders have not been changed," said the lamplighter. "That is the tragedy!

• The: definite article, referring to specific orders [ðə]
• orders: instructions or commands [ˈɔrdərz]
• have not been changed: present perfect tense, indicating that the orders have remained the same [hæv nɑt bɪn ʧeɪnʤd]
• said: past tense of 'say', used to indicate who is speaking [sɛd]
• the lamplighter: the person who lights the lamps [ðə ˈlæmˌplaɪtər]
• That: referring to the fact that the orders have not been changed [ðət]
• is: linking verb, connecting the subject to the predicate [ɪz]
• the tragedy: a very sad or unfortunate event or situation [ðə ˈtræʤədi]

"Then what?" asked the little prince.

• Then: after that; next [ðɛn]
• what: used to ask for clarification or further information [wət]
• asked: past tense of 'ask', used to indicate a question [æst]
• the little prince: referring to a character in the story [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]

"Then — the planet now makes a complete turn every minute, and I no longer have a single second for repose.

• Then: subsequently; after that [ðɛn]
• the planet: the celestial body the lamplighter is on [ðə ˈplænət]
• now: at the present time [naʊ]
• makes: present tense of 'make', indicating an action [meɪks]
• a complete turn: one full rotation [ə kəmˈplit tərn]
• every minute: each minute; repeatedly every minute [ˈɛvəri ˈmɪnət]
• and: conjunction, connecting two clauses [ənd]
• I: first-person singular pronoun, referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• no longer: not anymore; not any longer [noʊ ˈlɔŋgər]
• have: present tense of 'have', indicating possession or experience [hæv]
• a single second: not even one second [ə ˈsɪŋgəl ˈsɛkənd]
• for repose: for rest or relaxation [fər riˈpoʊz]

"That is very funny!

• That: referring to the situation described [ðət]
• is: linking verb, connecting the subject to the predicate [ɪz]
• very funny: amusing or humorous [ˈvɛri ˈfəni]

"It is not funny at all!" said the lamplighter. "While we have been talking together a month has gone by."

• It: referring to the situation described [ɪt]
• is not funny: not amusing or humorous [ɪz nɑt ˈfəni]
• at all: in any way; not even slightly [æt ɔl]
• said: past tense of 'say', used to indicate who is speaking [sɛd]
• the lamplighter: the person who lights the lamps [ðə ˈlæmˌplaɪtər]
• While: during the time that [waɪl]
• we: first-person plural pronoun, referring to the speaker and one or more other people [wi]
• have been talking: present perfect continuous tense, indicating an action that started in the past and is still ongoing [hæv bɪn ˈtɔkɪŋ]
• together: in each other's company; at the same time [təˈgɛðər]
• a month: a unit of time equal to approximately 30 days [ə mənθ]
• has gone by: has passed; has elapsed [həz gɔn baɪ]

"A month?"

• A month: A question expressing surprise or seeking confirmation about a period of one month. [ə mənθ]

"Yes, a month.

• Yes, a month: Affirmation followed by a reference to a period of one month. [jɛs ə mənθ]

Thirty minutes.

• Thirty minutes: A period of thirty minutes. [ˈθərˌdi ˈmɪnəts]

Thirty days.

• Thirty days: A period of thirty days, equivalent to one month. [ˈθərˌdi deɪz]

And he lighted his lamp again.

• And: A conjunction used to connect clauses or sentences. [ənd]
• he: Refers to a male person previously mentioned or known. [hi]
• lighted: Past tense of 'light', meaning to ignite or turn on a light. [ˈlaɪtɪd]
• his lamp: The lamp belonging to him. [hɪz læmp]
• again: Once more; another time. [əˈgɛn]

As the little prince watched him, he felt that he loved this lamplighter who was so faithful to his orders.

• As: Used to indicate that something happens during the time when something else is taking place. [ɛz]
• the little prince: Refers to a young prince, previously introduced in the story. [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]
• watched: Past tense of 'watch', meaning to look at someone or something for a period of time. [wɔʧt]
• him: Referring to the lamplighter. [ɪm]
• he: Refers to the little prince. [hi]
• felt: Past tense of 'feel', meaning to experience an emotion or sensation. [fɛlt]
• that: Used to introduce a subordinate clause. [ðət]
• he: Refers to the little prince. [hi]
• loved: Past tense of 'love', meaning to have a strong feeling of affection for someone. [ləvd]
• this lamplighter: Referring to the lamplighter who is currently being observed. [ðɪs ˈlæmˌplaɪtər]
• who: A relative pronoun used to introduce a clause giving more information about the lamplighter. [hu]
• was: Past tense of 'be', linking the subject to a description. [wɑz]
• so faithful: Very loyal and dedicated. [soʊ ˈfeɪθfəl]
• to: Expressing direction or purpose. [tɪ]
• his orders: The instructions or commands given to him. [hɪz ˈɔrdərz]

He remembered the sunsets which he himself had gone to seek, in other days, merely by pulling up his chair; and he wanted to help his friend.

• He: Refers to the little prince. [hi]
• remembered: Past tense of 'remember', meaning to recall something from the past. [rɪˈmɛmbərd]
• the sunsets: The daily disappearance of the sun below the horizon. [ðə ˈsənˌsɛts]
• which: A relative pronoun referring to the sunsets. [wɪʧ]
• he: Refers to the little prince. [hi]
• himself: Referring back to the little prince, emphasizing that he did it personally. [hɪmˈsɛlf]
• had gone: Past perfect tense of 'go', indicating an action completed before another time in the past. [hæd gɔn]
• to seek: To look for or try to find. [tɪ sik]
• in other days: At previous times. [ɪn ˈəðər deɪz]
• merely: Just; only. [ˈmɪrli]
• by pulling up: By lifting or raising. [baɪ ˈpʊlɪŋ əp]
• his chair: The chair belonging to him. [hɪz ʧɛr]
• and: A conjunction used to connect clauses or sentences. [ənd]
• he: Refers to the little prince. [hi]
• wanted: Past tense of 'want', meaning to desire or wish for something. [ˈwɔntɪd]
• to help: To give assistance or support to someone. [tɪ hɛlp]
• his friend: The person he considers a friend, referring to the lamplighter. [hɪz frɛnd]