"Ah(an exclamation of surprise, realization, or understanding [ɑ])," I(the speaker [aɪ]) said(past tense of 'say', to utter words [sɛd]) to him(to the little prince [tɪ ɪm]), "I am(contraction of 'I am', the speaker's state of being [aɪ æm]) a little frightened(somewhat scared or afraid [ə ˈlɪtəl ˈfraɪtənd]) — "
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]) interrupted(stopped (someone) from continuing what they were saying or doing by saying or doing something oneself [ˌɪntərˈəptɪd]) me(pronoun referring to the speaker or writer [mi]).
"Now(at the present time or moment [naʊ]) you(pronoun referring to the person being addressed [ju]) must(expressing necessity or obligation [məst]) work(exert effort; perform tasks [wərk]). You(pronoun referring to the person being addressed [ju]) must(expressing necessity or obligation [məst]) return(go or come back to a place or person [rɪˈtərn]) to(expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]) your(belonging to or associated with the person being addressed [jʊr]) engine(a machine with moving parts that converts power into motion [ˈɪnʤən]). I(pronoun referring to the speaker [aɪ]) will(expressing the future tense [wɪl]) be(to exist or occur [bi]) waiting(staying where one is or delaying action until a particular time or event [ˈweɪtɪŋ]) for(expressing purpose [fər]) you(pronoun referring to the person being addressed [ju]) here(in or at this place [hir]). Come(used to invite or encourage someone to do something [kəm]) back(return [bæk]) tomorrow(the day after today [təˈmɑˌroʊ]) evening(the period of time at the end of the day, usually from about 6 pm to bedtime [ˈivnɪŋ])..."
But(conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been said previously [bət]) I(pronoun referring to the speaker [aɪ]) was(past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]) not(used to negate a statement [nɑt]) reassured(having had one's fears or doubts removed; feeling confident again [ˌriəˈʃʊrd]). I(pronoun referring to the speaker [aɪ]) remembered(brought back to one's mind an awareness of (someone or something from the past [rɪˈmɛmbərd]) the fox(a wild animal of the dog family with a pointed snout and bushy tail [ðə fɑks]). One(used to refer to people in general [wən]) runs(moves at a speed faster than a walk [rənz]) the risk(the possibility of something bad happening [ðə rɪsk]) of(expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]) weeping(shedding tears; crying [ˈwipɪŋ]) a little(to a small extent; slightly [ə ˈlɪtəl]), if(introducing a conditional clause [ɪf]) one(used to refer to people in general [wən]) lets(allows [lɛts]) himself(reflexive pronoun referring to a male person [hɪmˈsɛlf]) be(used with a past participle to form the passive voice [bi]) tamed(domesticated; made less wild or fearful [teɪmd])...
XXVI
Beside(next to; at the side of [ˌbiˈsaɪd]) the well(a deep hole in the ground from which water can be obtained [ðə wɛl]) there(in or at that place or position [ðɛr]) was(past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]) the ruin(the state of being destroyed or severely damaged [ðə ruɪn]) of(expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]) an old(having lived or existed for a long time [ən oʊld]) stone(the hard, solid, nonmetallic mineral matter of which rock is made [stoʊn]) wall(a continuous vertical brick or stone structure that encloses or divides an area of land [wɔl]). When(at or during the time that [wɪn]) I(pronoun referring to the speaker [aɪ]) came back(returned [keɪm bæk]) from(indicating a starting point [frəm]) my(belonging to or associated with the speaker [maɪ]) work(activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result [wərk]), the next(immediately following in time or order [ðə nɛkst]) evening(the period of time at the end of the day, usually from about 6 pm to bedtime [ˈivnɪŋ]), I(pronoun referring to the speaker [aɪ]) saw(perceived with the eyes; noticed [sɔ]) from(indicating a starting point [frəm]) some(an unspecified amount or number of [səm]) distance(the length of space between two points [ˈdɪstəns]) away(to or at a distance [əˈweɪ]) my(belonging to or associated with the speaker [maɪ]) little(small in size [ˈlɪtəl]) price(likely a typo and should be 'prince', the son of a king or queen [praɪs]) sitting(in a position in which one's weight is supported by one's buttocks rather than one's feet [ˈsɪtɪŋ]) on top of(positioned above something else [ɔn tɔp əv]) a wall(a continuous vertical brick or stone structure that encloses or divides an area of land [ə wɔl]), with(accompanied by [wɪθ]) his(belonging to or associated with the male person previously mentioned [hɪz]) feet(plural of foot, the part of the body below the ankle on which a person stands or walks [fit]) dangling(hanging or swinging loosely [ˈdæŋgəlɪŋ]). And(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) I(pronoun referring to the speaker [aɪ]) heard(perceived with the ears [hərd]) him(pronoun referring to a male person previously mentioned [ɪm]) say(utter words aloud [seɪ]):
"Then(at that time; at the time mentioned [ðɛn]) you(pronoun referring to the person being addressed [ju]) don't(contraction of 'do not' [doʊnt]) remember(have in or be able to bring to one's mind an awareness of (someone or something from the past [rɪˈmɛmbər]). This(used to identify a specific thing or person observed or heard by the speaker [ðɪs]) is(third person singular present of 'be' [ɪz]) not(used to negate a statement [nɑt]) the exact(precisely accurate or correct [ðə ɪgˈzækt]) spot(a particular place or position [spɑt])."
Another(one more; an additional [əˈnəðər]) voice(the sound produced in a person's larynx and uttered through the mouth, as speech or song [vɔɪs]) must have answered(a deduction about a past action; it is highly probable that someone responded [məst hæv ˈænsərd]) him(the person being spoken about, in this case, the recipient of the answer [ɪm]), for(because; introducing the reason for the previous statement [fər]) he(the person who received the answer [hi]) replied(said something in response [rɪˈplaɪd]) to it(in response to the other voice [tɪ ɪt]):
"Yes, yes(an expression of affirmation or agreement, repeated for emphasis [jɛs jɛs])! It is(a statement of fact; 'it' refers to something previously mentioned or understood [ɪt ɪz]) the right day(the correct or appropriate day [ðə raɪt deɪ]), but(a conjunction indicating contrast [bət]) this(referring to the current location [ðɪs]) is not(is not; a negation [ɪz nɑt]) the place(the correct or designated location [ðə pleɪs])."
I(the speaker or writer referring to themself [aɪ]) continued(persisted in or resumed an activity or process [kənˈtɪnjud]) my(belonging to or associated with the speaker [maɪ]) walk(an act of traveling on foot at a moderate pace [wɔk]) toward(in the direction of [təˈwɔrd]) the wall(a solid structure that encloses or divides an area [ðə wɔl]). At no time(never; not at any point [æt noʊ taɪm]) did I see(past tense of seeing; the speaker did not observe [dɪd aɪ si]) or(used to link alternatives or options [ər]) hear(perceive with the ear the sound made by (someone or something [hir]) anyone(any person [ˈɛniˌwən]). The little prince(a young royal figure, previously introduced in the narrative [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]), however(nevertheless; despite what has just been said [ˌhaʊˈɛvər]), replied(said something in response [rɪˈplaɪd]) once again(one more time; repeating the action [wəns əˈgɛn]):
" — Exactly(precisely; used to express agreement or confirmation [ɪgˈzæktli]). You(the person being addressed [ju]) will see(future tense of seeing; the person being addressed will observe [wɪl si]) where(at the place or position in which [wɛr]) my(belonging to or associated with the speaker [maɪ]) track(a mark or series of marks left by a person, animal, or vehicle; in this case, footprints [træk]) begins(starts; originates [bɪˈgɪnz]), in the sand(on the sandy ground [ɪn ðə sænd]). You(the person being addressed [ju]) have nothing to do(do not need to do anything [hæv ˈnəθɪŋ tɪ du]) but(except; only [bət]) wait(remain in a place or situation in anticipation of something happening [weɪt]) for me(for the speaker [fər mi]) there(at that place [ðɛr]). I(the speaker referring to themself [aɪ]) shall be(future tense of 'to be'; the speaker will be [ʃæl bi]) there(at that place [ðɛr]) tonight(the night of the current day [təˈnaɪt])."
I(the speaker or writer referring to themself [aɪ]) was(past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]) only(merely; just [ˈoʊnli]) twenty(the number 20 [tˈwɛnti]) meters(metric unit of length, approximately 3.28 feet [ˈmitərz]) from(indicating distance or separation [frəm]) the wall(a solid structure that encloses or divides an area [ðə wɔl]), and(a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themself [aɪ]) still(even now; continuing to be [stɪl]) saw(past tense of 'see'; perceived with the eyes [sɔ]) nothing(not anything; no thing [ˈnəθɪŋ]).
After(following in time or sequence [ˈæftər]) a silence(a period without sound [ə ˈsaɪləns]) the little prince(a young royal figure, previously introduced in the narrative [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]) spoke(past tense of 'speak'; uttered words [spoʊk]) again(one more time; repeating the action [əˈgɛn]):
"You(the person being addressed [ju]) have(possess; own [hæv]) good(of high quality; effective [gʊd]) poison(a substance that causes illness or death when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed [ˈpɔɪzən])? You(the person being addressed [ju]) are sure(certain; confident [ər ʃʊr]) that(introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]) it(referring to the poison [ɪt]) will not(future tense negative of 'will'; it will not happen [wɪl nɑt]) make me(cause the speaker to [meɪk mi]) suffer(experience pain or distress [ˈsəfər]) too long(for an excessive duration [tu lɔŋ])?"
I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) stopped(ceased moving; came to a halt [stɑpt]) in my tracks(suddenly and abruptly; immediately stopping where one is [ɪn maɪ træks]), my heart(referring to the speaker's emotional state or feelings [maɪ hɑrt]) torn asunder(violently separated into pieces; deeply emotionally distressed [tɔrn əˈsəndər]); but(a conjunction indicating contrast or opposition [bət]) still(nevertheless; despite what has been said [stɪl]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) did not understand(lacked comprehension or awareness of something [dɪd nɑt ˌəndərˈstænd]).
"Now(at the present time; immediately [naʊ]) go away(leave; depart [goʊ əˈweɪ])," said(uttered; spoke [sɛd]) the little prince(referring to a young, possibly royal, character [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]). "I(the speaker, in this case, the little prince [aɪ]) want(desire; wish [wɔnt]) to get down(to descend; to come down from a higher position [tɪ gɪt daʊn]) from the wall(off of the wall [frəm ðə wɔl])."
Serpentjaune.jpg
I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) dropped(lowered; let fall [drɑpt]) my eyes(referring to the speaker's gaze or vision [maɪ aɪz]), then(at that time; subsequently [ðɛn]), to the foot of the wall(to the base or bottom of the wall [tɪ ðə fʊt əv ðə wɔl]) — and(a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) leaped(jumped or sprang a long way [lɛpt]) into the air(upwards, away from the ground [ˈɪntu ðə ɛr]). There(in or at that place [ðɛr]) before me(in front of the speaker [ˌbiˈfɔr mi]), facing(positioned with the front toward [ˈfeɪsɪŋ]) the little prince(referring to a young, possibly royal, character [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]), was(past tense of 'is'; existed [wɑz]) one of those yellow snakes(a particular snake, identified by its color [wən əv ðoʊz ˈjɛloʊ sneɪks]) that(a relative pronoun referring to the snakes [ðət]) take(require; need [teɪk]) just(only; merely [ʤɪst]) thirty seconds(a short period of time [ˈθərˌdi ˈsɛkəndz]) to bring your life to an end(to cause death [tɪ brɪŋ jʊr laɪf tɪ ən ɛnd]). Even as(at the very moment that [ˈivɪn ɛz]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) was digging(searching deeply and quickly [wɑz ˈdɪgɪŋ]) into my pocked(into my pocket [ˈɪntu maɪ pɑkt]) to get out(to remove; to take out [tɪ gɪt aʊt]) my revolver(a type of handgun [maɪ rɪˈvɑlvər]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) made(performed; executed [meɪd]) a running step back(moved backwards quickly while running [ə ˈrənɪŋ stɛp bæk]). But(a conjunction indicating contrast or opposition [bət]), at the noise(because of the sound [æt ðə nɔɪz]) I made(that the speaker created [aɪ meɪd]), the snake(referring to the snake [ðə sneɪk]) let himself flow(moved smoothly and effortlessly [lɛt hɪmˈsɛlf floʊ]) easily(without difficulty [ˈizəli]) across the sand(over the surface of the sand [əˈkrɔs ðə sænd]) like(similar to [laɪk]) the dying spray of a fountain(resembling the water as it fades and falls from a fountain [ðə daɪɪŋ spreɪ əv ə ˈfaʊntən]), and(a conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]), in no apparent hurry(not seeming to be rushed or hurried [ɪn noʊ əˈpɛrənt ˈhəri]), disappeared(vanished; went out of sight [ˌdɪsəˈpɪrd]), with a light metallic sound(making a faint, ringing noise like metal [wɪθ ə laɪt məˈtælɪk saʊnd]), among the stones(surrounded by or within the rocks [əˈməŋ ðə stoʊnz]).
I(the speaker or narrator [aɪ]) reached(arrived at; got to [riʧt]) the wall(a specific wall, likely previously mentioned or understood in context [ðə wɔl]) just in time(at the last possible moment; with no time to spare [ʤɪst ɪn taɪm]) to catch(to intercept and hold; to prevent from falling [tɪ kæʧ]) my little man(a term of endearment for a young boy, likely the speaker's son [maɪ ˈlɪtəl mæn]) in my arms(held closely and securely [ɪn maɪ ɑrmz]); his face(referring to the boy's face [hɪz feɪs]) was white as snow(extremely pale; lacking color, suggesting fear or shock [wɑz waɪt ɛz snoʊ]).
"What does this mean(an inquiry about the significance or interpretation of something [wət dɪz ðɪs min])?" I(the speaker [aɪ]) demanded(asked forcefully or urgently [dɪˈmændɪd]). "Why(for what reason [waɪ]) are you talking(engaging in conversation [ər ju ˈtɔkɪŋ]) with snakes(in conversation with snakes [wɪθ sneɪks])?"