The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery- page 3

Petit Prince.jpg

That, however, is not my fault.

• That: used to identify a specific thing or person observed or heard by the speaker [ðət]
• however: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or seems to contradict something that has been said previously [ˌhaʊˈɛvər]
• is not my fault: I am not responsible [ɪz nɑt maɪ fɔlt]

The grown-ups discouraged me in my painter's career when I was six years old, and I never learned to draw anything, except boas from the outside and boas from the inside.

• The grown-ups: adults [ðə ˈgroʊˌnəps]
• discouraged: cause (someone) to lose confidence or enthusiasm; try to prevent (something) from happening [dɪˈskərɪʤd]
• me: used by a speaker to refer to himself/herself as the object of a verb or preposition [mi]
• in my painter's career: the speaker's professional life as a painter [ɪn maɪ ˈpeɪnərz kərɪr]
• when: at or during the time that [wɪn]
• was six years old: the speaker's age at a particular time [wɑz sɪks jɪrz oʊld]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• never learned: did not acquire the skill or knowledge [ˈnɛvər ˈlərnɪd]
• to draw: to create a picture using lines, often with a pencil or pen [tɪ drɔ]
• anything: a thing of any kind [ˈɛniˌθɪŋ]
• except: not including; other than [ɪkˈsɛpt]
• boas: a long, thin scarf made of feathers or fur [boʊəz]
• from the outside: viewed from the exterior [frəm ðə ˈaʊtˈsaɪd]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• boas: a long, thin scarf made of feathers or fur [boʊəz]
• from the inside: viewed from the interior [frəm ðə ˌɪnˈsaɪd]

Now I stared at this sudden apparition with my eyes fairly starting out of my head in astonishment.

• Now: at the present time; at this moment [naʊ]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• stared: looked intently with fixed gaze [stɛrd]
• at: expressing location or arrival in a particular place or position [æt]
• this: used to identify a specific person or thing observed or heard by the speaker [ðɪs]
• sudden: happening or done quickly and unexpectedly [ˈsədən]
• apparition: a ghost or ghostlike image of a person [ˌæpərˈɪʃən]
• with: accompanied by (another person or thing [wɪθ]
• my: belonging to or associated with the speaker [maɪ]
• eyes: organs of sight [aɪz]
• fairly: to a moderately high degree; reasonably [ˈfɛrli]
• starting out of my head: an idiom meaning to be extremely surprised or shocked [ˈstɑrtɪŋ aʊt əv maɪ hɛd]
• in: expressing the situation of something surrounded or enclosed [ɪn]
• astonishment: great surprise or amazement [əˈstɑnɪʃmənt]

Remember, I had crashed in the desert a thousand miles from any inhabited region.

• Remember: used to call something to one's mind again [rɪˈmɛmbər]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• had crashed: to have been involved in an accident, typically a vehicle accident [hæd kræʃt]
• in: expressing the situation of something surrounded or enclosed [ɪn]
• the desert: a dry, barren area of land, especially one covered with sand [ðə ˈdɛzərt]
• a thousand miles: a very long distance [ə ˈθaʊzənd maɪəlz]
• from: indicating separation or distance [frəm]
• any: one or some or every of a number of things [ˈɛni]
• inhabited: lived in; occupied [ˌɪnˈhæbətəd]
• region: an area or division, especially part of a country or the world having definable characteristics but not always fixed boundaries [ˈriʤən]

And yet my little man seemed neither to be straying uncertainly among the sands, nor to be fainting from fatigue or hunger or thirst or fear.

• And: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• yet: but at the same time; but nevertheless [jɛt]
• my: belonging to or associated with the speaker [maɪ]
• little man: referring to a small person, often a child [ˈlɪtəl mæn]
• seemed: gave the impression of being or doing something [simd]
• neither: not either (of two people or things [ˈniðər]
• to be: expressing a future intention or plan [tɪ bi]
• straying: move away aimlessly from a group or from the right course or place [streɪɪŋ]
• uncertainly: in a hesitant or doubtful way [ənˈsərtənli]
• among: surrounded by; in the middle of [əˈməŋ]
• the sands: a loose granular substance, typically pale yellowish brown, resulting from the erosion of siliceous and other rocks and forming a major constituent of deserts, riverbeds, the seabed, and beaches [ðə sændz]
• nor: used to introduce a further negative statement [nɔr]
• to be: expressing a future intention or plan [tɪ bi]
• fainting: lose consciousness for a short time because of a temporarily insufficient supply of oxygen to the brain [ˈfeɪntɪŋ]
• from: indicating separation or distance [frəm]
• fatigue: extreme tiredness, typically resulting from mental or physical exertion or illness [fəˈtig]
• or: used to link alternatives [ər]
• hunger: a feeling of discomfort or weakness caused by lack of food, coupled with the desire to eat [ˈhəŋgər]
• or: used to link alternatives [ər]
• thirst: a feeling of needing or wanting to drink something [θərst]
• or: used to link alternatives [ər]
• fear: an unpleasant emotion caused by the perception of danger, pain, or threat [fɪr]

Nothing about him gave any suggestion of a child lost in the middle of the desert, a thousand miles from any human habitation.

• Nothing: not anything; no single thing [ˈnəθɪŋ]
• about: on the subject of; concerning [əˈbaʊt]
• him: used to refer to a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [ɪm]
• gave: freely transfer the possession of (something) to (someone); hand over to [geɪv]
• any: one or some or every of a number of things [ˈɛni]
• suggestion: an idea or plan put forward for consideration [səˈʤɛsʧən]
• of: expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]
• a child: a young human being below the age of puberty or the legal age of majority [ə ʧaɪld]
• lost: unable to find one's way; not knowing one's whereabouts [lɔst]
• in: expressing the situation of something surrounded or enclosed [ɪn]
• the middle of: the point or period halfway between the beginning and the end of something [ðə ˈmɪdəl əv]
• the desert: a dry, barren area of land, especially one covered with sand [ðə ˈdɛzərt]
• a thousand miles: a very long distance [ə ˈθaʊzənd maɪəlz]
• from: indicating separation or distance [frəm]
• any: one or some or every of a number of things [ˈɛni]
• human: relating to or characteristic of people or human beings [ˈjumən]
• habitation: the state or process of living in a particular place [ˌhæbəˈteɪʃən]

"But — what are you doing here?"

• But: used to introduce an added statement [bət]
• what: asking for information specifying something [wət]
• are: second person singular and plural and first and third person plural of the verb 'be' [ər]
• you: used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing [ju]
• doing: performing an action [duɪŋ]
• here: in or at this place [hir]

And in answer he repeated, very slowly, as if he were speaking of a matter of great consequence:

• And: used to connect clauses or sentences [ənd]
• in answer: as a reply [ɪn ˈænsər]
• he: refers to a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hi]
• repeated: said again [rɪˈpitɪd]
• very slowly: at a pace much slower than usual [ˈvɛri sˈloʊli]
• as if: in the manner of; suggesting [ɛz ɪf]
• he: refers to a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hi]
• were speaking: past subjunctive of 'to speak', used to express a hypothetical or unreal condition [wər ˈspikɪŋ]
• of a matter: concerning a subject or issue [əv ə ˈmætər]
• of great consequence: of significant importance or seriousness [əv greɪt ˈkɑnsəkwəns]

"If you please — draw me a sheep..."

• If you please: a polite expression used to make a request [ɪf ju pliz]
• draw me: create a picture of me [drɔ mi]
• a sheep: a domestic animal [ə ʃip]

When a mystery is too overpowering, one dare not disobey.

• When: at the time that or just after [wɪn]
• a mystery: something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain [ə ˈmɪstəri]
• is: third-person singular present of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]
• too overpowering: so strong or intense as to be irresistible [tu ˈoʊvərˈpaʊrɪŋ]
• one: used to refer to people in general [wən]
• dare not: used to indicate that someone should not do something because it would be dangerous or unwise [dɛr nɑt]
• disobey: fail or refuse to obey [ˌdɪsəˈbeɪ]

Absurd as it might seem to me, a thousand miles from any human habitation and in danger of death, I took out of my pocket a sheet of paper and my fountain-pen.

• Absurd: wildly unreasonable, illogical, or inappropriate [əbˈsərd]
• as it might seem: even though it may appear [ɛz ɪt maɪt sim]
• to me: in my opinion [tɪ mi]
• a thousand miles: a very long distance [ə ˈθaʊzənd maɪəlz]
• from: indicating separation or distance [frəm]
• any human habitation: any place where people live [ˈɛni ˈjumən ˌhæbəˈteɪʃən]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• in danger of death: at risk of dying [ɪn ˈdeɪnʤər əv dɛθ]
• I: the person speaking or writing [aɪ]
• took out: removed from a container or place [tʊk aʊt]
• of my pocket: from my pocket [əv maɪ ˈpɑkət]
• a sheet of paper: a single piece of paper [ə ʃit əv ˈpeɪpər]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• my fountain-pen: a pen with a reservoir of ink that is fed automatically to the nib [maɪ fountain-pen]

But then I remembered how my studies had been concentrated on geography, history, arithmetic and grammar, and I told the little chap (a little crossly, too) that I did not know how to draw.

• But then: however; nevertheless [bət ðɛn]
• I: the person speaking or writing [aɪ]
• remembered: recalled to the mind [rɪˈmɛmbərd]
• how: used to ask about the way in which something happens or is done [haʊ]
• my studies: my academic pursuits [maɪ ˈstədiz]
• had been concentrated: had been focused [hæd bɪn ˈkɔnsənˌtreɪtɪd]
• on: directed toward or focused on [ɔn]
• geography: the study of the physical features of the earth and its atmosphere, and of human activity as it affects and is affected by these [ʤiˈɑgrəfi]
• history: the study of past events, particularly in human affairs [ˈhɪstəri]
• arithmetic: the branch of mathematics dealing with numbers and their properties and operations [ˌɛrɪθˈmɛtɪk]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• grammar: the whole system and structure of a language or of languages in general, usually taken as consisting of syntax and morphology (including inflections) and sometimes also phonology and semantics [ˈgræmər]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• I: the person speaking or writing [aɪ]
• told: past tense of 'tell', to communicate information to someone in spoken or written words [toʊld]
• the little chap: a young boy [ðə ˈlɪtəl ʧæp]
• a little crossly: somewhat irritably [ə ˈlɪtəl crossly]
• too: in addition; also [tu]
• that: introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]
• I: the person speaking or writing [aɪ]
• did not know: past tense of 'do not know', to lack knowledge or awareness of something [dɪd nɑt noʊ]
• how to draw: the method or skill of creating a picture [haʊ tɪ drɔ]

"That doesn't matter.

• That: refers to something previously mentioned or understood [ðət]
• doesn't: contraction of 'does not', indicating negation [ˈdəzənt]
• matter: to be important or significant [ˈmætər]

But I had never drawn a sheep.

• But: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said [bət]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• had never drawn: past perfect tense of 'draw', indicating an action that had not happened before a specific time in the past [hæd ˈnɛvər drɔn]
• a sheep: a domestic animal often raised for its wool and meat [ə ʃip]

So I drew for him one of the two pictures I had drawn so often.

• So: therefore; as a result [soʊ]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• drew: past tense of 'draw', meaning to create a picture using lines [dru]
• for: indicating the recipient or beneficiary of an action [fər]
• him: referring to a male person or character [ɪm]
• one: a single item or unit [wən]
• of: indicating belonging or association [əv]
• the two pictures: referring to a specific set of two images [ðə tu ˈpɪkʧərz]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• had drawn: past perfect tense of 'draw', indicating an action completed before a specific time in the past [hæd drɔn]
• so often: very frequently; many times [soʊ ˈɔfən]

It was that of the boa constrictor from the outside.

• It: referring to something previously mentioned or understood [ɪt]
• was: past tense of 'be', linking the subject to a description [wɑz]
• that: used to identify a specific thing or person observed or heard by the speaker [ðət]
• of: indicating belonging or association [əv]
• the boa constrictor: a large, non-venomous snake that constricts its prey [ðə boʊə kənˈstrɪktər]
• from: indicating the starting point or origin [frəm]
• the outside: the external surface or appearance [ðə ˈaʊtˈsaɪd]

"No, no, no!

• No: expressing denial or refusal [noʊ]
• no: expressing denial or refusal [noʊ]
• no: expressing denial or refusal [noʊ]

I do not want an elephant inside a boa constrictor.

• I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• do not want: expressing a lack of desire or willingness [du nɑt wɔnt]
• an elephant: a large mammal with a trunk, tusks, and thick skin [ən ˈɛləfənt]
• inside: within; in the interior of [ˌɪnˈsaɪd]
• a boa constrictor: a large, non-venomous snake that constricts its prey [ə boʊə kənˈstrɪktər]

A boa constrictor is a very dangerous creature, and an elephant is very cumbersome.

• A boa constrictor: a large, non-venomous snake that constricts its prey [ə boʊə kənˈstrɪktər]
• is: present tense of 'be', linking the subject to a description [ɪz]
• a very dangerous creature: an animal or being that poses a significant threat of harm [ə ˈvɛri ˈdeɪnʤərəs ˈkriʧər]
• and: used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• an elephant: a large mammal with a trunk, tusks, and thick skin [ən ˈɛləfənt]
• is: present tense of 'be', linking the subject to a description [ɪz]
• very cumbersome: large or heavy and therefore difficult to carry or use [ˈvɛri ˈkəmbərsəm]

Where I live, everything is very small.

• Where: in or to what place or position [wɛr]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• live: to reside or dwell in a place [lɪv]
• everything: all things; all the items or aspects of something [ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ]
• is: present tense of 'be', linking the subject to a description [ɪz]
• very small: of limited size; not large [ˈvɛri smɔl]

What I need is a sheep.

• What: used to ask for specific information [wət]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• need: require (something) because it is essential or very important [nid]
• is: present tense of 'be', linking the subject to a description [ɪz]
• a sheep: a domestic animal often raised for its wool and meat [ə ʃip]

So then I made a drawing. Mouton1.jpg

• So: therefore; as a result [soʊ]
• then: at that time; after that [ðɛn]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• made: past tense of 'make', meaning to create or produce something [meɪd]
• a drawing: a picture or diagram made with lines [ə drɔɪŋ]

He looked at it carefully, then he said:

• He: refers to a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hi]
• looked at: directed his gaze towards something [lʊkt æt]
• it: refers to something previously mentioned or easily identified [ɪt]
• carefully: in a way that shows attention to detail and a desire to avoid mistakes or damage [ˈkɛrfəli]
• then: at that time; after that [ðɛn]
• he: refers to a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hi]
• said: uttered words; expressed something verbally [sɛd]

"No.

• No: expressing denial, disagreement, or refusal [noʊ]

This sheep is already very sickly.

• This: referring to something near in space or time [ðɪs]
• sheep: a woolly ruminant mammal kept for its meat and wool [ʃip]
• is: present tense form of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]
• already: before now or before the time in question [ɔˈrɛdi]
• very: to a great degree; extremely [ˈvɛri]
• sickly: frequently unwell; not strong or healthy [ˈsɪkli]

So I made another drawing. Mouton2.jpg

• So: therefore; for that reason [soʊ]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to himself or herself [aɪ]
• made: past tense of 'make'; created or constructed [meɪd]
• another: one more; an additional one [əˈnəðər]
• drawing: a picture or diagram made with a pencil, pen, or crayon rather than paint [drɔɪŋ]