The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery- page 37

And, as I walked on so, I found the well, at daybreak.

• And: used to connect clauses or sentences [ənd]
• as: while; during the time that [ɛz]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to themself [aɪ]
• walked: past tense of 'walk', meaning to move at a regular pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn [wɔkt]
• on: continuing an action or journey [ɔn]
• so: in this way; in the manner described [soʊ]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to themself [aɪ]
• found: past tense of 'find', meaning to discover or locate something [faʊnd]
• the well: a deep hole in the ground from which water can be obtained [ðə wɛl]
• at daybreak: the time when the sun begins to appear in the morning [æt ˈdeɪˌbreɪk]

XXV

"Men," said the little prince, "set out on their way in express trains, but they do not know what they are looking for.

• Men: plural of 'man', referring to adult male humans or people in general [mɛn]
• said: past tense of 'say', meaning to utter words [sɛd]
• the little prince: referring to a young, possibly royal, character [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]
• set out: to begin a journey or task [sɛt aʊt]
• on their way: on their journey or path [ɔn ðɛr weɪ]
• in express trains: trains that travel quickly and directly to a destination [ɪn ɪkˈsprɛs treɪnz]
• but: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something [bət]
• they: referring to the men mentioned earlier [ðeɪ]
• do not know: lack of knowledge; are unaware [du nɑt noʊ]
• what: the thing that [wət]
• they: referring to the men mentioned earlier [ðeɪ]
• are looking for: searching or seeking something [ər ˈlʊkɪŋ fər]

And he added:

• And: used to connect clauses or sentences [ənd]
• he: referring to a male person or character, in this case, the little prince [hi]
• added: past tense of 'add', meaning to say something more [ˈædɪd]

"It is not worth the trouble..."

• It: refers to a situation or action [ɪt]
• is not worth: not deserving of the effort or value [ɪz nɑt wərθ]
• the trouble: effort or difficulty [ðə ˈtrəbəl]

The well that we had come to was not like the wells of the Sahara.

• The well: a deep hole in the ground from which water can be obtained [ðə wɛl]
• that: used to introduce a relative clause [ðət]
• we: the speaker or writer and one or more other people [wi]
• had come: past perfect tense of 'come', meaning to arrive [hæd kəm]
• to: expressing motion or direction toward a specific location [tɪ]
• was not like: different from [wɑz nɑt laɪk]
• the wells: plural of 'well', referring to multiple water sources [ðə wɛlz]
• of the Sahara: referring to the wells located in the Sahara Desert [əv ðə səˈhɛrə]

The wells of the Sahara are mere holes dug in the sand.

• The wells: plural of 'well', referring to multiple water sources [ðə wɛlz]
• of the Sahara: referring to the wells located in the Sahara Desert [əv ðə səˈhɛrə]
• are: present tense of 'be', linking the subject to a description [ər]
• mere holes: simply or only holes [mɪr hoʊlz]
• dug: past participle of 'dig', meaning to create a hole by removing earth [dəg]
• in the sand: in the granular material consisting of small, loose particles of rock [ɪn ðə sænd]

This one was like a well in a village.

• This one: referring to the specific well mentioned earlier [ðɪs wən]
• was like: similar to [wɑz laɪk]
• a well: a deep hole in the ground from which water can be obtained [ə wɛl]
• in a village: located within a small community or settlement [ɪn ə ˈvɪlɪʤ]

But there was no village here, and I thought I must be dreaming...

• But: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something [bət]
• there was: there existed [ðɛr wɑz]
• no village: not a small community or settlement [noʊ ˈvɪlɪʤ]
• here: in this place [hir]
• and: used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to themself [aɪ]
• thought: past tense of 'think', meaning to have an opinion or belief [θɔt]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to themself [aɪ]
• must be dreaming: experiencing a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep [məst bi ˈdrimɪŋ]

"It is strange," I said to the little prince. "Everything is ready for use: the pulley, the bucket, the rope..." He laughed, touched the rope, and set the pulley to working.

• It is strange: An expression indicating something unusual or surprising. 'It' refers to a situation or observation. 'Strange' means unusual or odd. [ɪt ɪz streɪnʤ]
• I said: The speaker is conveying words to someone else. [aɪ sɛd]
• to the little prince: The speaker is addressing a young, possibly small, royal person. [tɪ ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]
• Everything is ready: All items or preparations are complete and available. [ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ ɪz ˈrɛdi]
• for use: Prepared and available to be utilized. [fər juz]
• the pulley: A wheel with a grooved rim around which a rope passes, used to raise or lower a load. [ðə ˈpʊli]
• the bucket: A container, typically cylindrical or truncated conical, with a handle, used to hold and carry liquids or solids. [ðə ˈbəkɪt]
• the rope: A length of strong cord made by twisting together strands of hemp, sisal, nylon, or similar material. [ðə roʊp]
• He laughed: An expression of amusement or happiness. [hi læft]
• touched the rope: Physically made contact with the rope. [təʧt ðə roʊp]
• and set the pulley to working: Initiated the operation of the pulley. [ənd sɛt ðə ˈpʊli tɪ ˈwərkɪŋ]

And the pulley moaned, like an old weathervane which the wind has long since forgotten.

• And the pulley moaned: The pulley made a low, mournful sound. [ənd ðə ˈpʊli moʊnd]
• like an old weathervane: Resembling an old instrument used to show the direction of the wind. [laɪk ən oʊld weathervane]
• which the wind has long since forgotten: The wind has not interacted with the weathervane for a considerable amount of time. [wɪʧ ðə wɪnd həz lɔŋ sɪns fərˈgɑtən]

Puit.jpg

"Do you hear?" said the little prince. "We have wakened the well, and it is singing..."

• Do you hear: Asking if the listener can perceive a sound. [du ju hir]
• said the little prince: The young royal person spoke. [sɛd ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]
• We have wakened the well: The well has been brought to life or activity. [wi hæv wakened ðə wɛl]
• and it is singing: The well is producing a pleasant or musical sound. [ənd ɪt ɪz ˈsɪŋɪŋ]

I did not want him to tire himself with the rope.

• I did not want him: The speaker did not desire for another person. [aɪ dɪd nɑt wɔnt ɪm]
• to tire himself: To become weary or exhausted. [tɪ taɪər hɪmˈsɛlf]
• with the rope: Due to the effort of using the rope. [wɪθ ðə roʊp]

"Leave it to me," I said. "It is too heavy for you."

• Leave it to me: Allow me to handle this. [liv ɪt tɪ mi]
• I said: The speaker stated. [aɪ sɛd]
• It is too heavy: The object or task is excessively weighty. [ɪt ɪz tu ˈhɛvi]
• for you: Not suitable for your strength or ability. [fər ju]

I hoisted the bucket slowly to the edge of the well and set it there — happy, tired as I was, over my achievement.

• I hoisted the bucket: I raised the bucket. [aɪ ˈhɔɪstɪd ðə ˈbəkɪt]
• slowly: At a leisurely pace. [sˈloʊli]
• to the edge of the well: Up to the brink or border of the water source. [tɪ ðə ɛʤ əv ðə wɛl]
• and set it there: And placed the bucket at that location. [ənd sɛt ɪt ðɛr]
• happy: Feeling pleased or joyful. [ ˈhæpi]
• tired: Feeling weary or exhausted. [taɪərd]
• as I was: Referring to the speaker's state of being. [ɛz aɪ wɑz]
• over my achievement: Because of the successful completion of a task. [ˈoʊvər maɪ əˈʧivmənt]

The song of the pulley was still in my ears, and I could see the sunlight shimmer in the still trembling water.

• The song of the pulley: The sound produced by the pulley. [ðə sɔŋ əv ðə ˈpʊli]
• was still in my ears: The sound was still audible or memorable. [wɑz stɪl ɪn maɪ ɪrz]
• and I could see: The speaker had the ability to observe. [ənd aɪ kʊd si]
• the sunlight shimmer: The sunlight was reflecting or gleaming. [ðə ˈsənˌlaɪt ˈʃɪmər]
• in the still trembling water: In the water that was calm but slightly shaking. [ɪn ðə stɪl ˈtrɛmbəlɪŋ ˈwɔtər]

"I am thirsty for this water," said the little prince. "Give me some of it to drink..."

• I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
• am: first-person singular present of the verb 'to be' [æm]
• thirsty: feeling a need or desire to drink [ˈθərsti]
• for: expressing the reason or cause of something [fər]
• this water: referring to a specific quantity of water nearby [ðɪs ˈwɔtər]
• said: attribution of the following quote [ sɛd]
• the little prince: a young royal character [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]
• Give: an imperative verb, meaning 'to hand over' [ gɪv]
• me: first-person singular object pronoun [mi]
• some: an unspecified amount or quantity [səm]
• of it: referring back to 'this water' [əv ɪt]
• to drink: for the purpose of drinking [tɪ drɪŋk]

And I understood what he had been looking for.

• And: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
• understood: past tense of the verb 'to understand', meaning to comprehend [ˌəndərˈstʊd]
• what: interrogative pronoun, here used to introduce a clause [wət]
• he: third-person singular pronoun, referring to a male individual [hi]
• had been looking: past perfect continuous tense of the verb 'to look', meaning to search [hæd bɪn ˈlʊkɪŋ]
• for: preposition indicating the object of the search [fər]

I raised the bucket to his lips.

• I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
• raised: past tense of the verb 'to raise', meaning to lift or elevate [reɪzd]
• the bucket: a container, usually cylindrical, used for holding or carrying liquids [ðə ˈbəkɪt]
• to: preposition indicating direction or purpose [tɪ]
• his lips: the fleshy parts forming the edge of the mouth [hɪz lɪps]

He drank, his eyes closed.

• He: third-person singular pronoun, referring to a male individual [hi]
• drank: past tense of the verb 'to drink', meaning to consume liquid [dræŋk]
• his eyes: the organs of sight [hɪz aɪz]
• closed: past participle of the verb 'to close', meaning to shut [kloʊzd]

It was as sweet as some special festival treat.

• It: third-person singular pronoun, referring to the water [ɪt]
• was: past tense of the verb 'to be' [wɑz]
• as sweet: comparative adjective, meaning having a pleasant sugary taste [ɛz swit]
• as: conjunction used for comparison [ɛz]
• some special festival treat: a particularly delicious or enjoyable food item associated with a celebration [səm ˈspɛʃəl ˈfɛstɪvəl trit]

This water was indeed a different thing from ordinary nourishment.

• This water: referring to the specific water being discussed [ðɪs ˈwɔtər]
• was: past tense of the verb 'to be' [wɑz]
• indeed: adverb, meaning in truth or in fact [ˌɪnˈdid]
• a different thing: something distinct or not the same [ə ˈdɪfərənt θɪŋ]
• from: preposition indicating separation or distinction [frəm]
• ordinary nourishment: common or regular sustenance [ˈɔrdəˌnɛri ˈnərɪʃmənt]

Its sweetness was born of the walk under the stars, the song of the pulley, the effort of my arms.

• Its: possessive pronoun, referring to the water's [ɪts]
• sweetness: the quality of being sweet [sˈwitnəs]
• was born: originated or came into existence [wɑz bɔrn]
• of: preposition indicating origin or cause [əv]
• the walk: the act of walking [ðə wɔk]
• under: preposition indicating being below or beneath something [ˈəndər]
• the stars: the celestial bodies visible at night [ðə stɑrz]
• the song: a melody or vocalization [ðə sɔŋ]
• of: preposition indicating origin or association [əv]
• the pulley: a wheel with a grooved rim around which a rope passes, used to raise or lower heavy objects [ðə ˈpʊli]
• the effort: exertion of physical or mental power [ðə ˈɛfərt]
• of: preposition indicating origin or association [əv]
• my arms: the upper limbs of the body [maɪ ɑrmz]

It was good for the heart, like a present.

• It: referring to the water [ɪt]
• was good: beneficial or pleasing [wɑz gʊd]
• for: preposition indicating purpose or benefit [fər]
• the heart: the organ that pumps blood through the body, often used metaphorically to represent emotions [ðə hɑrt]
• like: preposition used for comparison [laɪk]
• a present: a gift [ə ˈprɛzənt]

When I was a little boy, the lights of the Christmas tree, the music of the Midnight Mass, the tenderness of smiling faces, used to make up, so, the radiance of the gifts I received.

• When: conjunction indicating time [wɪn]
• I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
• was: past tense of the verb 'to be' [wɑz]
• a little boy: a young male child [ə ˈlɪtəl bɔɪ]
• the lights: sources of illumination [ðə laɪts]
• of: preposition indicating origin or association [əv]
• the Christmas tree: an evergreen tree decorated for Christmas [ðə ˈkrɪsməs tri]
• the music: vocal or instrumental sounds combined in such a way as to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression of emotion [ðə mˈjuzɪk]
• of: preposition indicating origin or association [əv]
• the Midnight Mass: a Christian religious service held at midnight on Christmas Eve [ðə ˈmɪdˌnaɪt mæs]
• the tenderness: the quality of being gentle, loving, or kind [ðə ˈtɛndərnəs]
• of: preposition indicating origin or association [əv]
• smiling faces: faces expressing happiness or pleasure [sˈmaɪlɪŋ ˈfeɪsɪz]
• used to make up: to form or create [juzd tɪ meɪk əp]
• so: in this way or manner [soʊ]
• the radiance: the quality of emitting light or shining brightly [ðə ˈreɪˌdiəns]
• of: preposition indicating origin or association [əv]
• the gifts: things given willingly to someone without payment [ðə gɪfts]
• I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
• received: past tense of the verb 'to receive', meaning to get or be given something [rɪˈsivd]

"The men where you live," said the little prince, "raise five thousand roses in the same garden — and they do not find in it what they are looking for."

• The men where you live: This phrase introduces the subject of the sentence: the men in the listener's location. [ðə mɛn wɛr ju lɪv]
• said: past tense of 'say', indicating who is speaking [sɛd]
• the little prince: identifies the speaker [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]
• raise: to grow or cultivate plants or animals [reɪz]
• five thousand roses: a large quantity of roses [faɪv ˈθaʊzənd ˈroʊzɪz]
• in the same garden: all the roses are located in one specific garden [ɪn ðə seɪm ˈgɑrdən]
• and they do not find in it what they are looking for: They don't discover or obtain what they desire or seek within that garden. [ ənd ðeɪ du nɑt faɪnd ɪn ɪt wət ðeɪ ər ˈlʊkɪŋ fər)]