The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery- page 27

"What place would you advise me to visit now?" he asked.

• place: a particular position or area [pleɪs]
• would: used to express a polite request or question [wʊd]
• you: the person being addressed [ju]
• advise: to offer suggestions about the best course of action to someone [ədˈvaɪz]
• me: used by a speaker to refer to himself or herself [mi]
• to visit: to go and spend time in (a place) as a tourist or guest [tɪ ˈvɪzɪt]
• now: at the present time or moment [naʊ]
• asked: to put a question to someone [æst]

"The planet Earth," replied the geographer. "It has a good reputation."

• planet: a celestial body moving in an elliptical orbit around a star [ˈplænət]
• Earth: the third planet from the Sun, on which we live [ərθ]
• replied: to say something in response [rɪˈplaɪd]
• geographer: an expert in the study of the physical features of the earth and its atmosphere [ʤiˈɑgrəfər]
• has: to possess or be attributed with [həz]
• good: to be desired or approved of [gʊd]
• reputation: the beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something [ˌrɛpjəˈteɪʃən]

And the little prince went away, thinking of his flower.

• little: small in size [ˈlɪtəl]
• prince: the son of a king or queen [prɪns]
• went away: to leave or depart [wɛnt əˈweɪ]
• thinking: to have a particular belief or idea [ˈθɪŋkɪŋ]
• of: expressing the relationship between a subject and what it belongs to, is about, or is connected with [əv]
• his: belonging to or associated with a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hɪz]
• flower: the seed-bearing part of a plant, consisting of reproductive organs (stamens and carpels) that are typically surrounded by a brightly colored corolla (petals) and a green calyx (sepals [flaʊər]

XVI

So then the seventh planet was the Earth.

• then: at that time; or soon or immediately after that [ðɛn]
• seventh: constituting number seven in a sequence; 7th [ˈsɛvənθ]
• planet: a celestial body moving in an elliptical orbit around a star [ˈplænət]
• was: past tense of 'is' [wɑz]
• Earth: the third planet from the Sun, on which we live [ərθ]

The Earth is not just an ordinary planet!

• Earth: the planet on which we live [ərθ]
• is: to exist or occur [ɪz]
• not: used to express negation, denial, refusal, or prohibition [nɑt]
• just: exactly [ʤɪst]
• ordinary: with no special or distinctive features; normal [ˈɔrdəˌnɛri]
• planet: a celestial body moving in an elliptical orbit around a star [ˈplænət]

One can count, there, 111 kings (not forgetting, to be sure, the Negro kings among them), 7000 geographers, 900,000 businessmen, 7,500,000 tipplers, 311,000,000 conceited men — that is to say, about 2,000,000,000 grown-ups. To give you an idea of the size of the Earth, I will tell you that before the invention of electricity it was necessary to maintain, over the whole of the six continents, a veritable army of 462,511 lamplighters for the street lamps.

• One: used to refer to any person [wən]
• can: to be able to [kən]
• count: determine the total number of (a collection of items [kaʊnt]
• there: in, at, or to that place or position [ðɛr]
• kings: a male ruler of an independent state, especially one who inherits the position by right of birth [kɪŋz]
• forgetting: fail to remember [fərˈgɛtɪŋ]
• to be sure: used to emphasize the truth of something [tɪ bi ʃʊr]
• Negro: a person with African ancestry [ˈnigroʊ]
• kings: a male ruler of an independent state, especially one who inherits the position by right of birth [kɪŋz]
• among: surrounded by; in the company of [əˈməŋ]
• them: used to refer to people or things previously mentioned or easily identified [ðɛm]
• geographers: an expert in the study of the physical features of the earth and its atmosphere [geographers]
• businessmen: a person who works in commerce, especially at an executive level [ˈbɪznɪsˌmɛn]
• tipplers: a person who habitually drinks alcohol [tipplers]
• conceited: excessively proud of oneself [kənˈsitəd]
• men: an adult male human being [mɛn]
• that: used to identify a specific person or thing observed or heard by the speaker [ðət]
• is: to exist or occur [ɪz]
• to say: used to introduce a further explanation or clarification of something that has just been said [tɪ seɪ]
• about: on the subject of; concerning [əˈbaʊt]
• grown-ups: an adult [ˈgroʊˌnəps]
• give: freely transfer the possession of (something) to (someone); hand over to [gɪv]
• you: the person being addressed [ju]
• idea: a thought or suggestion as to a possible course of action [aɪˈdiə]
• of: expressing the relationship between a subject and what it belongs to, is about, or is connected with [əv]
• size: the overall dimensions or extent of something [saɪz]
• of: expressing the relationship between a subject and what it belongs to, is about, or is connected with [əv]
• Earth: the planet on which we live [ərθ]
• will: expressing the future tense [wɪl]
• tell: communicate information, facts, or news to someone in spoken or written words [tɛl]
• you: the person being addressed [ju]
• that: used to introduce a subordinate clause [ðət]
• before: during the period of time preceding (a particular event or time [ˌbiˈfɔr]
• invention: the action of inventing something, typically a process or device [ˌɪnˈvɛnʃən]
• of: expressing the relationship between a subject and what it belongs to, is about, or is connected with [əv]
• electricity: a form of energy resulting from the existence of charged particles (such as electrons or protons), either statically as an accumulation of charge or dynamically as a current [ɪˌlɛkˈtrɪsəti]
• was: past tense of 'is' [wɑz]
• necessary: required to be done, achieved, or present; needed; essential [ˈnɛsəˌsɛri]
• to maintain: cause or enable (a condition or state of affairs) to continue [tɪ meɪnˈteɪn]
• over: extending directly upwards from [ˈoʊvər]
• whole: all of; entire [hoʊl]
• of: expressing the relationship between a subject and what it belongs to, is about, or is connected with [əv]
• six: equivalent to the sum of five and one; one more than five; 6 [sɪks]
• continents: any of the several large landmasses of the earth including Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America [ˈkɑntənənts]
• veritable: used for emphasis, often to qualify a metaphor [ˈvɛrɪtəbəl]
• army: an organized military force equipped for fighting on land [ˈɑrmi]
• of: expressing the relationship between a subject and what it belongs to, is about, or is connected with [əv]
• lamplighters: a person employed to light and maintain street lamps [ˈlæmˌplaɪtərz]
• for: with the purpose of [fər]
• street lamps: a light, usually on a tall post, that illuminates a public road in a village, town, or city [strit læmps]

Seen from a slight distance, that would make a splendid spectacle.

• Seen: past participle of 'see', used here to indicate a viewpoint or perspective [sin]
• from: indicating the source or origin [frəm]
• a slight distance: a short way away; not very close [ə slaɪt ˈdɪstəns]
• that: referring to something previously mentioned or implied [ ðət]
• would: used to express a conditional or hypothetical situation [wʊd]
• make: to create or produce [meɪk]
• a splendid spectacle: an impressive and beautiful sight or display [ə ˈsplɛndɪd ˈspɛktəkəl]

The movements of this army would be regulated like those of the ballet in the opera.

• The movements: the actions or motions [ðə ˈmuvmənts]
• of this army: referring to a large group of people or things, metaphorically used here [əv ðɪs ˈɑrmi]
• would: expressing a conditional or habitual action [wʊd]
• be regulated: controlled or governed according to a set of rules or principles [bi ˈrɛgjəˌleɪtɪd]
• like: similar to; in the same way as [laɪk]
• those: referring to the movements [ðoʊz]
• of the ballet: a type of dance performance [əv ðə bæˈleɪ]
• in the opera: a dramatic work in which the actors sing some or all of their parts [ɪn ðə ˈɑprə]

First would come the turn of the lamplighters of New Zealand and Australia.

• First: at the beginning; before anything else [fərst]
• would: expressing a future event or a conditional situation [wʊd]
• come: to arrive or appear [kəm]
• the turn: the opportunity or time for someone to do something [ðə tərn]
• of the lamplighters: people who light street lamps [əv ðə ˈlæmˌplaɪtərz]
• of New Zealand: a country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean [əv nu ˈzilənd]
• and: connecting two or more things [ənd]
• Australia: a country and continent in the Southern Hemisphere [ɔˈstreɪljə]

Having set their lamps alight, these would go off to sleep.

• Having set: after setting; after the action of setting is completed [ˈhævɪŋ sɛt]
• their lamps: the lights they are responsible for [ðɛr læmps]
• alight: lit; burning [əˈlaɪt]
• these: referring to the lamplighters [ ðiz]
• would: expressing a future or habitual action [wʊd]
• go off: to leave or depart [goʊ ɔf]
• to sleep: to enter a state of rest [tɪ slip]

Next, the lamplighters of China and Siberia would enter for their steps in the dance, and then they too would be waved back into the wings.

• Next: afterward; following in order [nɛkst]
• the lamplighters: people who light street lamps [ ðə ˈlæmˌplaɪtərz]
• of China: a country in East Asia [əv ˈʧaɪnə]
• and: connecting two or more things [ənd]
• Siberia: a vast region in Russia [saɪˈbɪriə]
• would: expressing a future or habitual action [wʊd]
• enter: to come or go into a place [ˈɛnər]
• for their steps: referring to their part in the dance [fər ðɛr stɛps]
• in the dance: a series of movements performed to music [ɪn ðə dæns]
• and: connecting two or more things [ ənd]
• then: at that time; after that [ðɛn]
• they: referring to the lamplighters [ðeɪ]
• too: also; in addition [tu]
• would: expressing a future or habitual action [wʊd]
• be waved: to be signaled with a hand movement [bi weɪvd]
• back: to the original position or place [bæk]
• into the wings: the sides of a stage, out of view of the audience [ˈɪntu ðə wɪŋz]

After that would come the turn of the lamplighters of Russia and the Indies; then those of Africa and Europe; then those of South America; then those of South America; then those of North America.

• After that: following that; subsequently [ˈæftər ðət]
• would: expressing a future or conditional action [wʊd]
• come: to arrive or appear [kəm]
• the turn: the opportunity or time for someone to do something [ðə tərn]
• of the lamplighters: people who light street lamps [əv ðə ˈlæmˌplaɪtərz]
• of Russia: a country in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia [əv ˈrəʃə]
• and: connecting two or more things [ənd]
• the Indies: historical term for the East Indies or South Asia [ðə ˈɪndiz]
• then: at that time; after that [ ðɛn]
• those: referring to the lamplighters [ðoʊz]
• of Africa: a continent [əv ˈæfrɪkɑ]
• and: connecting two or more things [ənd]
• Europe: a continent [ˈjʊrəp]
• then: at that time; after that [ ðɛn]
• those: referring to the lamplighters [ðoʊz]
• of South America: a continent [əv saʊθ əˈmɛrɪkə]
• then: at that time; after that [ ðɛn]
• those: referring to the lamplighters [ðoʊz]
• of South America: a continent [əv saʊθ əˈmɛrɪkə]
• then: at that time; after that [ ðɛn]
• those: referring to the lamplighters [ðoʊz]
• of North America: a continent [əv nɔrθ əˈmɛrɪkə]

And never would they make a mistake in the order of their entry upon the stage.

• And: used to connect two or more things [ənd]
• never: at no time; not ever [ˈnɛvər]
• would: expressing a conditional or habitual action [wʊd]
• they: referring to the lamplighters [ðeɪ]
• make: to perform or do [meɪk]
• a mistake: an error or fault [ə mɪˈsteɪk]
• in the order: the sequence or arrangement [ɪn ðə ˈɔrdər]
• of their entry: the act of coming onto the stage [əv ðɛr ˈɛntri]
• upon the stage: the platform where a performance takes place [əˈpɑn ðə steɪʤ]

It would be magnificent.

• It: referring to the whole spectacle [ɪt]
• would: expressing a conditional or hypothetical situation [wʊd]
• be magnificent: extremely beautiful, elaborate, or impressive [bi mægˈnɪfɪsənt]

Only the man who was in charge of the single lamp at the North Pole, and his colleague who was responsible for the single lamp at the South Pole — only these two would live free from toil and care: they would be busy twice a year.

• Only: solely; just [ˈoʊnli]
• the man: a male human being [ðə mæn]
• who: relative pronoun referring to 'the man' [hu]
• was in charge of: had the responsibility for; managed [wɑz ɪn ʧɑrʤ əv]
• the single lamp: the only lamp; a solitary lamp [ðə ˈsɪŋgəl læmp]
• at the North Pole: at the northernmost point of the Earth [æt ðə nɔrθ poʊl]
• and: conjunction connecting two similar elements [ənd]
• his colleague: a person with whom one works; associate [hɪz ˈkɑlig]
• who: relative pronoun referring to 'his colleague' [hu]
• was responsible for: had the duty of; accountable for [wɑz riˈspɑnsəbəl fər]
• the single lamp: the only lamp; a solitary lamp [ðə ˈsɪŋgəl læmp]
• at the South Pole: at the southernmost point of the Earth [æt ðə saʊθ poʊl]
• only: solely; just [ˈoʊnli]
• these two: referring to the man at the North Pole and his colleague at the South Pole [ðiz tu]
• would live: would exist; would have their lives [wʊd lɪv]
• free from: without; not subject to [fri frəm]
• toil and care: hard work and worry [tɔɪl ənd kɛr]
• they: referring to the two men [ðeɪ]
• would be: future tense of 'to be' [wʊd bi]
• busy: occupied; engaged in activity [ˈbɪzi]
• twice a year: two times per year [twaɪs ə jɪr]

XVII

When one wishes to play the wit, he sometimes wanders a little from the truth.

• When: at the time that; during [wɪn]
• one: a person; an individual [wən]
• wishes: wants; desires [ˈwɪʃɪz]
• to play the wit: to act cleverly or humorously [tɪ pleɪ ðə wɪt]
• he: referring to 'one' [hi]
• sometimes: occasionally; now and then [ˈsəmˌtaɪmz]
• wanders: deviates; strays [ˈwɑndərz]
• a little: slightly; somewhat [ə ˈlɪtəl]
• from the truth: away from what is factual or accurate [frəm ðə truθ]

I have not been altogether honest in what I have told you about the lamplighters.

• I: the speaker; the narrator [aɪ]
• have not been: past perfect negative form of 'to be' [hæv nɑt bɪn]
• altogether: completely; entirely [ˌɔltəˈgɛðər]
• honest: truthful; sincere [ˈɑnəst]
• in what I have told you: regarding the information I have given you [ɪn wət aɪ hæv toʊld ju]
• about the lamplighters: concerning the people who light the lamps [əˈbaʊt ðə ˈlæmˌplaɪtərz]

And I realize that I run the risk of giving a false idea of our planet to those who do not know it.

• And: conjunction indicating addition [ənd]
• I realize: I understand; I am aware [aɪ ˈriəˌlaɪz]
• that: conjunction introducing a clause [ðət]
• I run the risk: I am in danger of [aɪ rən ðə rɪsk]
• of giving: of providing; of presenting [əv ˈgɪvɪŋ]
• a false idea: an inaccurate impression [ə fɔls aɪˈdiə]
• of our planet: concerning the Earth [əv ɑr ˈplænət]
• to those: to the people [tɪ ðoʊz]
• who: relative pronoun referring to 'those' [hu]
• do not know: are not familiar with [du nɑt noʊ]
• it: referring to 'our planet' [ɪt]

Men occupy a very small place upon the Earth.

• Men: human beings; people [mɛn]
• occupy: take up; fill [ˈɑkjəˌpaɪ]
• a very small place: a limited area or position [ə ˈvɛri smɔl pleɪs]
• upon the Earth: on the surface of the Earth [əˈpɑn ðə ərθ]

If the two billion inhabitants who people its surface were all to stand upright and somewhat crowded together, as they do for some big public assembly, they could easily be put into one public square twenty miles long and twenty miles wide.

• If: conditional conjunction [ɪf]
• the two billion: a large number; 2,000,000,000 [ðə tu ˈbɪljən]
• inhabitants: people who live in a place [ˌɪnˈhæbɪtənts]
• who: relative pronoun referring to 'inhabitants' [hu]
• people: populate; live on [ˈpipəl]
• its surface: the Earth's outer layer [ɪts ˈsərfəs]
• were all to stand: if everyone stood [wər ɔl tɪ stænd]
• upright: vertically; erect [ˈəˌpraɪt]
• and: conjunction connecting two similar elements [ənd]
• somewhat crowded: a little close together [ˈsəmˈwət ˈkraʊdɪd]
• together: in proximity; near each other [təˈgɛðər]
• as: in the same way that [ɛz]
• they do: they stand [ðeɪ du]
• for some big public assembly: at a large gathering of people [fər səm bɪg ˈpəblɪk əˈsɛmbli]
• they: referring to the two billion inhabitants [ðeɪ]
• could easily: would have no problem [kʊd ˈizəli]
• be put into: be placed inside [bi pʊt ˈɪntu]
• one public square: a single open area in a city or town [wən ˈpəblɪk skwɛr]
• twenty miles long: twenty miles in length [tˈwɛnti maɪəlz lɔŋ]
• and: conjunction connecting two similar elements [ənd]
• twenty miles wide: twenty miles in width [tˈwɛnti maɪəlz waɪd]

All humanity could be piled up on a small Pacific islet.

• All humanity: all of the human race [ɔl juˈmænɪti]
• could be piled up: could be stacked or gathered together [kʊd bi paɪld əp]
• on a small Pacific islet: on a tiny island in the Pacific Ocean [ɔn ə smɔl pəˈsɪfɪk ˈaɪlɪt]