The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery- page 35

"Why are you selling those?" asked the little prince.

• Why: Asking for a reason. [waɪ]
• are: Present tense of 'be'. [ər]
• you: Referring to the merchant. [ju]
• selling: Present continuous tense of 'sell', meaning to offer for sale. [ˈsɛlɪŋ]
• those: Referring to the pills mentioned earlier. [ðoʊz]
• asked: Past tense of 'ask', indicating the little prince spoke. [æst]
• the little prince: Referring to a character known as the little prince. [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]

"Because they save a tremendous amount of time," said the merchant. "Computations have been made by experts.

• Because: Introducing a reason. [bɪˈkəz]
• they: Referring to the pills. [ðeɪ]
• save: To prevent the loss of something. [seɪv]
• a tremendous amount: A very large quantity. [ə trɪˈmɛndəs əˈmaʊnt]
• of time: Referring to the duration available. [əv taɪm]
• said: Past tense of 'say', indicating the merchant spoke. [sɛd]
• the merchant: A person who buys and sells goods. [ðə ˈmərʧənt]
• Computations: Calculations or estimations. [ˌkɑmpjuˈteɪʃənz]
• have been made: Present perfect passive voice, indicating calculations were performed. [hæv bɪn meɪd]
• by experts: By people with special skills. [baɪ ˈɛkspərts]

"And what do I do with those fifty-three minutes?"

• And: used to connect clauses or sentences [ənd]
• what: used to ask for information specifying something [wət]
• do: auxiliary verb used to form questions [du]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to themself [aɪ]
• do: to perform an action [du]
• with: expressing accompaniment or association [wɪθ]
• those: referring to specific items previously mentioned or understood [ðoʊz]
• fifty-three: the number 53 [fifty-three]
• minutes: units of time, each equal to 60 seconds [ˈmɪnəts]

"Anything you like..."

• Anything: any thing whatever; something unspecified [ˈɛniˌθɪŋ]
• you: the person being addressed [ju]
• like: to find pleasant or agreeable [laɪk]

"As for me," said the little prince to himself, "if I had fifty-three minutes to spend as I liked, I should walk at my leisure toward a spring of fresh water."

• As for me: regarding myself; concerning my opinion or situation [ɛz fər mi]
• said: past tense of 'say', to utter words [sɛd]
• the little prince: referring to a character known as the little prince [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]
• to himself: speaking quietly so only oneself can hear [tɪ hɪmˈsɛlf]
• if: introducing a conditional clause [ɪf]
• I: the speaker, the little prince [aɪ]
• had: past tense of 'have', to possess [hæd]
• fifty-three minutes: a duration of 53 minutes [fifty-three ˈmɪnəts]
• to spend: to use time or money [tɪ spɛnd]
• as: in the way that [ɛz]
• I: the speaker, the little prince [aɪ]
• liked: found agreeable or preferred [laɪkt]
• I should: expressing a conditional or hypothetical action [aɪ ʃʊd]
• walk: to move at a regular pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn [wɔk]
• at my leisure: at my own pace, without hurry [æt maɪ ˈlɛʒər]
• toward: in the direction of [təˈwɔrd]
• a spring: a place where water naturally flows out of the earth [ə spərɪŋ]
• of fresh water: water that is clean and not salty [əv frɛʃ ˈwɔtər]

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XXIV

It was now the eighth day since I had had my accident in the desert, and I had listened to the story of the merchant as I was drinking the last drop of my water supply.

• It: refers to a situation or time [ɪt]
• was: past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• now: at the present time [naʊ]
• the eighth day: the day that is eight in a sequence [ðə eɪθ deɪ]
• since: from a past time [sɪns]
• I: the speaker [aɪ]
• had had: past perfect tense of 'have', indicating an action completed before another in the past [hæd hæd]
• my accident: an unfortunate event [maɪ ˈæksədənt]
• in the desert: a dry, barren area of land [ɪn ðə ˈdɛzərt]
• and: used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• I: the speaker [aɪ]
• had listened: past perfect tense of 'listen', to pay attention to sound [hæd ˈlɪsənd]
• to: expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]
• the story: an account of events [ðə ˈstɔri]
• of the merchant: belonging to a person who buys and sells goods [əv ðə ˈmərʧənt]
• as: while [ɛz]
• I: the speaker [aɪ]
• was drinking: past continuous tense of 'drink', to consume liquid [wɑz ˈdrɪŋkɪŋ]
• the last drop: the final small amount [ðə læst drɔp]
• of my water supply: the amount of water available [əv maɪ ˈwɔtər səˈplaɪ]

"Ah," I said to the little prince, "these memories of yours are very charming; but I have not yet succeeded in repairing my plane; I have nothing more to drink; and I, too, should be very happy if I could walk at my leisure toward a spring of fresh water!"

• Ah: an exclamation of surprise, pleasure, or understanding [ɑ]
• I: the speaker [aɪ]
• said: past tense of 'say', to utter words [sɛd]
• to the little prince: addressing the character known as the little prince [tɪ ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]
• these: referring to items nearby or being indicated [ðiz]
• memories: things remembered from the past [ˈmɛməriz]
• of yours: belonging to you [əv jʊrz]
• are: present tense of 'be' [ər]
• very: to a great degree [ˈvɛri]
• charming: pleasant and attractive [ˈʧɑrmɪŋ]
• but: used to introduce a contrasting statement [bət]
• I: the speaker [aɪ]
• have not yet succeeded: have not yet managed to do something [hæv nɑt jɛt səkˈsidɪd]
• in repairing: in fixing or mending [ɪn rɪˈpɛrɪŋ]
• my plane: the speaker's aircraft [maɪ pleɪn]
• I: the speaker [aɪ]
• have: to possess [hæv]
• nothing more: no additional amount [ˈnəθɪŋ mɔr]
• to drink: liquid for consumption [tɪ drɪŋk]
• and: used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• I: the speaker [aɪ]
• too: also [tu]
• should be: expressing a conditional or hypothetical state [ʃʊd bi]
• very: to a great degree [ˈvɛri]
• happy: feeling or showing pleasure or contentment [ˈhæpi]
• if: introducing a conditional clause [ɪf]
• I: the speaker [aɪ]
• could walk: expressing a conditional ability to walk [kʊd wɔk]
• at my leisure: at my own pace, without hurry [æt maɪ ˈlɛʒər]
• toward: in the direction of [təˈwɔrd]
• a spring: a place where water naturally flows out of the earth [ə spərɪŋ]
• of fresh water: water that is clean and not salty [əv frɛʃ ˈwɔtər]

"My friend the fox — " the little prince said to me.

• My friend the fox: This phrase introduces the fox as a friend of the speaker. The use of "my" indicates a personal connection. [maɪ frɛnd ðə fɑks ]
• the little prince: Refers to a character known as the Little Prince, likely the speaker in this context. [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]
• said: Past tense of the verb "say," indicating that the Little Prince spoke. [sɛd]
• to me: Indicates that the Little Prince was speaking to the narrator or another character. [tɪ mi]

"My dear little man, this is no longer a matter that has anything to do with the fox!"

• My dear little man: A term of endearment, indicating affection or fondness. "Dear" expresses affection, and "little man" is a familiar way to address someone, possibly implying youth or small stature. [maɪ dɪr ˈlɪtəl mæn]
• this is no longer a matter: Indicates that the current topic is no longer relevant or important. "No longer" signifies a change in status. [ðɪs ɪz noʊ ˈlɔŋgər ə ˈmætər]
• that has anything to do with the fox: Specifies that the current situation or problem is unrelated to the fox. "Anything to do with" implies a connection or relevance. [ðət həz ˈɛniˌθɪŋ tɪ du wɪθ ðə fɑks]

"Why not?"

• Why not: A question asking for the reason or explanation for a previous statement. [waɪ nɑt]

"Because I am about to die of thirst..."

• Because I am about to die of thirst: Provides the reason for a previous statement, indicating that the speaker is extremely thirsty and near death. "About to die" suggests imminent death, and "of thirst" specifies the cause of death. [bɪˈkəz aɪ æm əˈbaʊt tɪ daɪ əv θərst]

He did not follow my reasoning, and he answered me:

• He did not follow my reasoning: Indicates that the person did not understand or accept the speaker's logic or explanation. "Follow my reasoning" means to understand and agree with the speaker's line of thought. [hi dɪd nɑt ˈfɑloʊ maɪ ˈrizənɪŋ]
• and he answered me: Indicates that the person responded to the speaker. "Answered" means to reply or respond. [ənd hi ˈænsərd mi]

"It is a good thing to have had a friend, even if one is about to die.

• It is a good thing: Expresses a positive sentiment about something. "Good thing" implies that something is beneficial or desirable. [ɪt ɪz ə gʊd θɪŋ]
• to have had a friend: Refers to the experience of having a friendship. "To have had" indicates a past experience. [tɪ hæv hæd ə frɛnd]
• even if one is about to die: Acknowledges a difficult situation (being close to death) but still values the friendship. "Even if" introduces a condition that does not negate the value of the friendship. [ˈivɪn ɪf wən ɪz əˈbaʊt tɪ daɪ]

"He has no way of guessing the danger," I said to myself. "He has never been either hungry or thirsty.

• He has no way of guessing the danger: Indicates that the person is unaware of the potential risks or threats. "No way of guessing" suggests a lack of awareness or understanding. [hi həz noʊ weɪ əv ˈgɛsɪŋ ðə ˈdeɪnʤər]
• I said to myself: Indicates that the speaker is thinking internally, rather than speaking aloud. [aɪ sɛd tɪ ˌmaɪˈsɛlf]
• He has never been either hungry or thirsty: Explains the reason for the person's lack of awareness, suggesting that they have never experienced these basic needs. "Never been" indicates a lack of past experience. [hi həz ˈnɛvər bɪn ˈiðər ˈhəŋgri ər ˈθərsti]

But he looked at me steadily, and replied to my thought:

• But: conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been said previously [bət]
• he: pronoun referring to a male person previously mentioned or known [hi]
• looked: past tense of 'look', meaning to turn one's eyes in a specific direction or to observe [lʊkt]
• at: preposition indicating direction or location [æt]
• me: pronoun referring to the speaker or writer [mi]
• steadily: in a firm and unwavering manner [ˈstɛdəli]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• replied: past tense of 'reply', meaning to say something in response [rɪˈplaɪd]
• to: preposition expressing direction or reference [tɪ]
• my: possessive pronoun indicating ownership by the speaker [maɪ]
• thought: an idea or opinion produced by thinking, or occurring suddenly in the mind [θɔt]

"I am thirsty, too.

• I: pronoun referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• am: first-person singular present of the verb 'to be' [æm]
• thirsty: feeling a need to drink [ˈθərsti]
• too: in addition; also [tu]

I made a gesture of weariness.

• I: pronoun referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• made: past tense of 'make', meaning to perform an action [meɪd]
• a gesture: a movement of the body, especially a hand or the head, to express an idea or feeling [ə ˈʤɛsʧər]
• of: preposition indicating relationship or belonging [əv]
• weariness: extreme tiredness; fatigue [ˈwɪrinəs]

It is absurd to look for a well, at random, in the immensity of the desert.

• It: pronoun referring to a situation or statement [ɪt]
• is: third-person singular present of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]
• absurd: wildly unreasonable, illogical, or inappropriate [əbˈsərd]
• to look: to search or seek [tɪ lʊk]
• for: in search of [fər]
• a well: a deep hole in the ground from which water can be drawn [ə wɛl]
• at random: without a specific pattern or purpose [æt ˈrændəm]
• in: preposition expressing location or position [ɪn]
• the immensity: the extremely large size or extent of something [ðə immensity]
• of: preposition indicating relationship or belonging [əv]
• the desert: a dry, barren area of land [ðə ˈdɛzərt]

But nevertheless we started walking.

• But: conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been said previously [bət]
• nevertheless: in spite of that; notwithstanding [ˌnɛvərðəˈlɛs]
• we: pronoun referring to the speaker and one or more other people [wi]
• started: past tense of 'start', meaning to begin [ˈstɑrtɪd]
• walking: the activity of taking a walk; moving on foot at a moderate pace [ˈwɔkɪŋ]

When we had trudged along for several hours, in silence, the darkness fell, and the stars began to come out.

• When: conjunction used to indicate a time or occasion [wɪn]
• we: pronoun referring to the speaker and one or more other people [wi]
• had trudged: past perfect tense of 'trudge', meaning to walk slowly and with heavy steps, typically because of exhaustion or difficult conditions [hæd trəʤd]
• along: preposition indicating movement in a constant direction on something [əˈlɔŋ]
• for: preposition expressing duration [fər]
• several: more than two but not many [ˈsɛvərəl]
• hours: a period of time equal to sixty minutes [aʊərz]
• in silence: without any sound or talking [ɪn ˈsaɪləns]
• the darkness: the state of being dark; absence of light [ðə ˈdɑrknəs]
• fell: past tense of 'fall', meaning to come down or drop [fɛl]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• the stars: celestial bodies appearing as fixed luminous points in the night sky [ðə stɑrz]
• began: past tense of 'begin', meaning to start [bɪˈgæn]
• to come out: to appear or become visible [tɪ kəm aʊt]

Thirst had made me a little feverish, and I looked at them as if I were in a dream.

• Thirst: the feeling of needing or wanting to drink [θərst]
• had made: past perfect tense of 'make', meaning to cause to be or become [hæd meɪd]
• me: pronoun referring to the speaker [mi]
• a little: a small amount or degree [ə ˈlɪtəl]
• feverish: having or showing the symptoms of a fever [ˈfivərɪʃ]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• I: pronoun referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• looked: past tense of 'look', meaning to turn one's eyes in a specific direction or to observe [lʊkt]
• at: preposition indicating direction or location [æt]
• them: pronoun referring to the stars [ðɛm]
• as if: in the same way as; as though [ɛz ɪf]
• I: pronoun referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• were: past subjunctive of the verb 'to be' [wər]
• in: preposition expressing location or position [ɪn]
• a dream: a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep [ə drim]

"Then you are thirsty, too?" I demanded.

• Then: at that time; also; in addition [ðɛn]
• you: the person being addressed [ju]
• are: present tense form of the verb 'to be', indicating a state of being [ər]
• thirsty: feeling a need to drink [ˈθərsti]
• too: also; in addition [tu]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to themself [aɪ]
• demanded: asked forcefully or aggressively [dɪˈmændɪd]

But he did not reply to my question.

• But: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been said before [bət]
• he: referring to a male person or animal previously mentioned [hi]
• did not reply: did not answer [dɪd nɑt rɪˈplaɪ]
• to: expressing direction or location [tɪ]
• my: belonging to or associated with the speaker [maɪ]
• question: a sentence worded or expressed so as to elicit information [kˈwɛʃən]