The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery- page 28

The grown-ups, to be sure, will not believe you when you tell them that.

• The grown-ups: Refers to adults; people who are no longer children [ðə ˈgroʊˌnəps]
• to be sure: certainly; without a doubt [tɪ bi ʃʊr]
• will not believe: future tense of 'not believe'; will not accept as true [wɪl nɑt bɪˈliv]
• you: the person being addressed [ju]
• when you tell them that: at the time that you inform them of something [wɪn ju tɛl ðɛm ðət]

They imagine that they fill a great deal of space.

• They: referring to the grown-ups [ðeɪ]
• imagine: to form a mental image or concept of something [ˌɪˈmæʤən]
• that they fill: that they occupy [ðət ðeɪ fɪl]
• a great deal of space: a large amount of physical area or metaphorical importance [ə greɪt dil əv speɪs]

They fancy themselves as important as the baobabs.

• They fancy themselves: They imagine or believe themselves to be [ðeɪ ˈfænsi ðɛmˈsɛlvz]
• as important as: equally significant or consequential to [ɛz ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt ɛz]
• the baobabs: referring to baobab trees, which are large and imposing [ðə baobabs]

You should advise them, then, to make their own calculations.

• You should advise them: You ought to suggest to them [ju ʃʊd ədˈvaɪz ðɛm]
• then: at that time; in that case [ðɛn]
• to make their own calculations: to perform their own mathematical computations [tɪ meɪk ðɛr oʊn ˌkælkjəˈleɪʃənz]

They adore figures, and that will please them.

• They adore figures: They greatly admire numbers or numerical data [ðeɪ əˈdɔr ˈfɪgjərz]
• and that will please them: and that action will make them happy [ənd ðət wɪl pliz ðɛm]

But do not waste your time on this extra task.

• But do not waste your time: However, do not spend your time unwisely [bət du nɑt weɪst jʊr taɪm]
• on this extra task: on this additional assignment or duty [ɔn ðɪs ˈɛkstrə tæsk]

It is unnecessary.

• It is unnecessary: It is not needed; it is superfluous [ɪt ɪz ənˈnɛsəˌsɛri]

You have, I know, confidence in me.

• You have: You possess [ju hæv]
• I know: I am aware [aɪ noʊ]
• confidence in me: trust or faith in my abilities or character [ˈkɑnfədɛns ɪn mi]

Une fois sur terre.jpg

When the little prince arrived on the Earth, he was very much surprised not to see any people.

• When: At the time that [wɪn]
• the little prince: A young, possibly small, royal figure [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]
• arrived: Reached a destination [əraɪvd]
• on the Earth: Referring to the planet Earth [ɔn ðə ərθ]
• he was: he was [hi wɑz]
• very much surprised: Extremely astonished [ˈvɛri məʧ səˈpraɪzd]
• not to see: To not observe [nɑt tɪ si]
• any people: No individuals [ˈɛni ˈpipəl]

He was beginning to be afraid he had come to the wrong planet, when a coil of gold, the color of the moonlight, flashed across the sand.

• He was beginning: He started [hi wɑz bɪˈgɪnɪŋ]
• to be afraid: To feel fear [tɪ bi əˈfreɪd]
• he had come: he had traveled [hi hæd kəm]
• to the wrong planet: To an incorrect celestial body [tɪ ðə rɔŋ ˈplænət]
• when: At the moment that [wɪn]
• a coil of gold: A spiral or ring of golden material [ə kɔɪl əv goʊld]
• the color of the moonlight: Having a pale, silvery hue [ðə ˈkələr əv ðə ˈmunˌlaɪt]
• flashed: Appeared suddenly and briefly [flæʃt]
• across the sand: Over the surface of the sandy ground [əˈkrɔs ðə sænd]

"Good evening," said the little prince courteously.

• Good evening: a polite greeting used when meeting someone in the evening or at night [gʊd ˈivnɪŋ]
• courteously: in a polite and respectful manner [courteously]

"Good evening," said the snake.

• Good evening: a polite greeting used when meeting someone in the evening or at night [gʊd ˈivnɪŋ]

"What planet is this on which I have come down?" asked the little prince.

• What planet: refers to which specific celestial body [wət ˈplænət]
• is this: identifies the planet being discussed [ɪz ðɪs]
• on which: indicates the planet where the action occurred [ɔn wɪʧ]
• I have come down: indicates the action of landing or arriving [aɪ hæv kəm daʊn]

"This is the Earth; this is Africa," the snake answered.

• This is the Earth: identifies the planet as Earth [ðɪs ɪz ðə ərθ]
• this is Africa: specifies the continent as Africa [ðɪs ɪz ˈæfrɪkɑ]

"Ah! Then there are no people on the Earth?"

• no people: indicates an absence of humans [noʊ ˈpipəl]
• the Earth: referring to the planet Earth [ðə ərθ]

"This is the desert. There are no people in the desert.

• This is the desert: identifies the location as a desert [ðɪs ɪz ðə ˈdɛzərt]
• no people: indicates an absence of humans [noʊ ˈpipəl]
• the desert: referring to the desert [ðə ˈdɛzərt]

The little prince sat down on a stone, and raised his eyes toward the sky.

• sat down: took a seated position [sæt daʊn]
• a stone: a small rock [ə stoʊn]
• raised his eyes: looked upwards [reɪzd hɪz aɪz]
• toward the sky: in the direction of the sky [təˈwɔrd ðə skaɪ]

"I wonder," he said, "whether the stars are set alight in heaven so that one day each one of us may find his own again... Look at my planet.

• I wonder: expresses curiosity or contemplation [aɪ ˈwəndər]
• whether the stars are set alight in heaven: questions if the stars are lit in the sky [ˈwɛðər ðə stɑrz ər sɛt əˈlaɪt ɪn ˈhɛvən]
• so that: with the purpose that [soʊ ðət]
• one day: at some point in the future [wən deɪ]
• each one of us: every individual among a group [iʧ wən əv ˈjuˈɛs]
• may find his own again: might rediscover something personal or familiar [meɪ faɪnd hɪz oʊn əˈgɛn]
• my planet: referring to the speaker's own planet [maɪ ˈplænət]

"It is beautiful," the snake said. "What has brought you here?"

• It is beautiful: A statement expressing admiration for something's appearance or quality [ɪt ɪz ˈbjutəfəl]
• the snake said: Attribution of the previous statement to the snake [ðə sneɪk sɛd]
• What: An interrogative word used to ask for specific information [wət]
• has brought: Implies the cause or reason for someone's arrival [həz brɔt]
• you here: Asks the listener why they have come to this place [ju hir]

"I have been having some trouble with a flower," said the little prince.

• I have been having: Indicates a continuous or ongoing experience of something [aɪ hæv bɪn ˈhævɪŋ]
• some trouble: Refers to difficulties or problems [səm ˈtrəbəl]
• with a flower: Specifies the source of the trouble as a flower [wɪθ ə flaʊər]
• said the little prince: Attribution of the statement to the little prince [sɛd ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]

"Ah!" said the snake.

• Ah: An exclamation, often expressing understanding, surprise, or recognition [ɑ]
• said the snake: Attribution of the exclamation to the snake [sɛd ðə sneɪk]

And they were both silent.

• And: A conjunction used to connect clauses or sentences [ənd]
• they: Refers to the little prince and the snake [ðeɪ]
• were: Past tense of the verb 'to be', indicating a state of being [wər]
• both: Indicates that two entities are included [boʊθ]
• silent: Not speaking; without sound [ˈsaɪlənt]

Il regarde le serpent.jpg

"Where are the men?" the little prince at last took up the conversation again. "It is a little lonely in the desert..."

• Where: An interrogative word used to ask about location [wɛr]
• are: A form of the verb 'to be', indicating existence or location [ər]
• the men: Asks about the location of men [ðə mɛn]
• the little prince: Refers to the character known as the little prince [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]
• at last: Eventually; after some time [æt læst]
• took up: Began or resumed [tʊk əp]
• the conversation: The act of talking between two or more people [ðə ˌkɑnvərˈseɪʃən]
• again: Once more; indicating a resumption of something [əˈgɛn]
• It: Refers to the situation or environment [ɪt]
• is: A form of the verb 'to be', indicating a state of being [ɪz]
• a little lonely: Somewhat solitary or isolated [ə ˈlɪtəl ˈloʊnli]
• in the desert: Specifies the location of the loneliness as the desert [ɪn ðə ˈdɛzərt]

"It is also lonely among men," the snake said.

• It: Refers to the situation or environment [ɪt]
• is: A form of the verb 'to be', indicating a state of being [ɪz]
• also: In addition; as well [ˈɔlsoʊ]
• lonely: Feeling isolated or sad due to being alone [ˈloʊnli]
• among men: Specifies the context of loneliness as being among people [əˈməŋ mɛn]
• the snake said: Attribution of the statement to the snake [ðə sneɪk sɛd]

The little prince gazed at him for a long time.

• The little prince: Refers to the character known as the little prince [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]
• gazed: Looked steadily and intently [geɪzd]
• at him: Refers to the snake [æt ɪm]
• for a long time: For an extended period [fər ə lɔŋ taɪm]

"You are a funny animal," he said at last. "You are no thicker than a finger..."

• You: Refers to the snake [ju]
• are: A form of the verb 'to be', indicating a state of being [ər]
• a funny animal: Describes the snake as strange or peculiar [ə ˈfəni ˈænəməl]
• he said: Attribution of the statement to the little prince [hi sɛd]
• at last: Eventually; after some time [æt læst]
• You: Refers to the snake [ju]
• are: A form of the verb 'to be', indicating a state of being [ər]
• no thicker: Not as wide [noʊ ˈθɪkər]
• than a finger: Used as a comparison to emphasize the snake's thinness [ðən ə ˈfɪŋgər]

"But I am more powerful than the finger of a king," said the snake.

• But: A conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said [bət]
• I: Refers to the snake [aɪ]
• am: A form of the verb 'to be', indicating a state of being [æm]
• more powerful: Having greater strength or influence [mɔr ˈpaʊərfəl]
• than: Used for comparison [ðən]
• the finger: A digit of the hand [ðə ˈfɪŋgər]
• of a king: Refers to the finger of a monarch, often associated with authority [əv ə kɪŋ]
• said the snake: Attribution of the statement to the snake [sɛd ðə sneɪk]

The little prince smiled.

• The: Definite article, referring to a specific prince already known or being introduced [ðə]
• little: Small in size; young [ˈlɪtəl]
• prince: A male member of a royal family, typically the son or grandson of a king or queen [prɪns]
• smiled: To have expressed happiness, pleasure, or amusement by curving the lips upwards [smaɪld]

"You are not very powerful.

• You: Second person singular pronoun, referring to the little prince [ju]
• are: Present tense of the verb 'to be' [ər]
• not: Negation [nɑt]
• very: To a great degree; extremely [ˈvɛri]
• powerful: Having great power or influence [ˈpaʊərfəl]

You haven't even any feet.

• You: Second person singular pronoun, referring to the little prince [ju]
• haven't: Contraction of 'have not' [ˈhævənt]
• even: Used to emphasize something unexpected or surprising [ˈivɪn]
• any: Some; one or some of a thing or number of things, no matter how small in amount [ˈɛni]
• feet: Plural of 'foot'; the terminal part of the leg below the ankle, on which a person stands or walks [fit]

"I can carry you farther than any ship could take you," said the snake.

• I: First person singular pronoun, referring to the snake [aɪ]
• can: Expressing ability or possibility [kən]
• carry: To support and move (someone or something) from one place to another [ˈkɛri]
• you: Second person singular pronoun, referring to the little prince [ju]
• farther: At or to a greater distance [ˈfɑrðər]
• than: Used to introduce the second element in a comparison [ðən]
• any: One or some of a thing or number of things, no matter how small in amount [ˈɛni]
• ship: A large boat for transporting people or goods by sea [ʃɪp]
• could: Past tense of 'can', expressing possibility or ability in the past [kʊd]
• take: To transport or escort (someone) to a place [teɪk]
• you: Second person singular pronoun, referring to the little prince [ju]
• said: Past tense of 'say'; to utter words [sɛd]
• the: Definite article, referring to a specific snake [ðə]
• snake: A legless reptile [sneɪk]