"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(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(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(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(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 wonderful job [ðət ɪz ə ˈbjutəfəl ˌɑkjəˈpeɪʃən]). And since it is beautiful(and because it is wonderful [ənd sɪns ɪt ɪz ˈbjutəfəl]), it is truly useful(it is genuinely helpful or beneficial [ɪt ɪz ˈtruli ˈjusfəl])."
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(a greeting used in the morning [gʊd ˈmɔrnɪŋ]). Why have you just put out your lamp(Why did you just extinguish your lamp [waɪ hæv ju ʤɪst pʊt aʊt jʊr læmp])?"
"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(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 instructions are to extinguish the lamp. [ðə ˈɔrdərz ər ðət aɪ pʊt aʊt maɪ læmp]). Good evening(A polite greeting used when meeting someone in the evening. [gʊd ˈivnɪŋ])."
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(A question expressing confusion or seeking an explanation for relighting the lamp. [bət waɪ hæv ju ʤɪst ˈlaɪtɪd ɪt əˈgɛn])?"
"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(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(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]). Good morning(A polite greeting used when meeting someone in the morning [gʊd ˈmɔrnɪŋ])."
And he put out his lamp(He extinguished his lamp. [ənd hi pʊt aʊt hɪz læmp]). 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 have a very difficult or unpleasant job. [aɪ ˈfɑloʊ ə ˈtɛrəbəl prəˈfɛʃən]). 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(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]). I had the rest of the day(I had the remaining part of the day [aɪ hæd ðə rɛst əv ðə deɪ]) for relaxation(for resting and enjoying myself [fər ˌrilækˈseɪʃən]) and the rest of the night(and the remaining part of the night [ənd ðə rɛst əv ðə naɪt]) for sleep(for sleeping [fər slip])."
"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(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])! From year to year(every year; as each year passes [frəm jɪr tɪ jɪr]) the planet(referring to the celestial body the lamplighter is on [ðə ˈplænət]) has turned(present perfect tense, indicating a change over time [həz tərnd]) more rapidly(at a faster pace [mɔr ˈræpədli]) and(conjunction, connecting two clauses [ənd]) the orders(referring to the specific instructions or commands [ðə ˈɔrdərz]) have not been changed(present perfect tense, indicating that the orders have remained the same [hæv nɑt bɪn ʧeɪnʤd])!"
"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(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]). Once(one time [wəns]) every minute(each minute; repeatedly every minute [ˈɛvəri ˈmɪnət]) I have to(I am obligated to; I must [aɪ hæv tɪ]) light(to ignite or start a fire in [laɪt]) my lamp(the lamplighter's source of light [maɪ læmp]) and(conjunction, connecting two actions [ənd]) put it out(extinguish the lamp [pʊt ɪt aʊt])!"
"That(referring to the situation described [ðət]) is(linking verb, connecting the subject to the predicate [ɪz]) very funny(amusing or humorous [ˈvɛri ˈfəni])! A day(the period of time from sunrise to sunset, or a 24-hour period [ə deɪ]) lasts(continues for a specified period of time [læsts]) only(just; merely [ˈoʊnli]) one minute(a unit of time equal to 60 seconds [wən ˈmɪnət]), here(in this place [hir]) where(in the place that [wɛr]) you(second-person singular pronoun, referring to the person being addressed [ju]) live(reside; have your home [lɪv])!"
"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 question expressing surprise or seeking confirmation about a period of one month. [ə mənθ])?"
"Yes, a month(Affirmation followed by a reference to a period of one month. [jɛs ə mənθ]). Thirty minutes(A period of thirty minutes. [ˈθərˌdi ˈmɪnəts]). Thirty days(A period of thirty days, equivalent to one month. [ˈθərˌdi deɪz]). Good evening(A polite greeting used in the evening. [gʊd ˈivnɪŋ])."
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(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(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]).