"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(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]). With(Using. [wɪθ]) these pills(Referring to the pills being sold. [ðiz pɪlz]), you(General pronoun referring to anyone. [ju]) save(To prevent the loss of something. [seɪv]) fifty-three minutes(A specific duration of time. [fifty-three ˈmɪnəts]) in(Within. [ɪn]) every week(Each week. [ˈɛvəri wik])."
"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(any thing whatever; something unspecified [ˈɛniˌθɪŋ]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) like(to find pleasant or agreeable [laɪk])..."
"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(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(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(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(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(A question asking for the reason or explanation for a previous statement. [waɪ nɑt])?"
"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(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(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]). I, for instance, am very glad(Expresses personal happiness or satisfaction. "For instance" introduces an example. [aɪ fər ˈɪnstəns æm ˈvɛri glæd]) to have had a fox as a friend(Specifies the type of friendship that the speaker values. [tɪ hæv hæd ə fɑks ɛz ə frɛnd])..."
"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]). A little sunshine is all he needs(Suggests that the person's needs are simple and easily met. "All he needs" implies that nothing else is required. [ə ˈlɪtəl ˈsənˌʃaɪn ɪz ɔl hi nidz])..."
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(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]). Let(used to express a suggestion or proposal [lɛt]) us(pronoun referring to the speaker and one or more other people [ˈjuˈɛs]) look(to direct one's gaze in a specified direction [lʊk]) for(in search of [fər]) a well(a deep hole in the ground from which water can be drawn [ə wɛl])..."
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(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(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(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(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]). The little prince's(Referring to the little prince, indicating possession [ðə ˈlɪtəl ˈprɪnsɪz]) last words(The final words spoken [læst wərdz]) came(Past tense of 'come', meaning to arrive or appear [keɪm]) reeling(Moving unsteadily or as if in a circle [ˈrilɪŋ]) back(To the original position or state [bæk]) into(Expressing movement or direction toward something [ˈɪntu]) my(Possessive pronoun indicating ownership by the speaker [maɪ]) memory(The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information [ˈmɛməri]):
"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(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]). He(referring to a male person or animal previously mentioned [hi]) merely(just; only [ˈmɪrli]) said(past tense of 'say', to utter words [sɛd]) to(expressing direction or location [tɪ]) me(the speaker or writer referring to themself as the object of a verb or preposition [mi]):