The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery- page 39

"Ah," I said to him, "I am a little frightened — "

• 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 he interrupted me.

• 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 you must work.

• 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 must return to your engine.

• 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 will be waiting for you here.

• 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]

But I was not reassured.

• 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 remembered the fox.

• 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 runs the risk of weeping a little, if one lets himself be tamed...

• 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 the well there was the ruin of an old stone wall.

• 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 I came back from my work, the next evening, I saw from some distance away my little price sitting on top of a wall, with his feet dangling.

• 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]

"Then you don't remember.

• 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]

Another voice must have answered him, for he replied to it:

• 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!

• Yes, yes: an expression of affirmation or agreement, repeated for emphasis [jɛs jɛs]

I continued my walk toward the wall.

• 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 did I see or hear anyone.

• 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]

" — Exactly.

• Exactly: precisely; used to express agreement or confirmation [ɪgˈzæktli]

You will see where my track begins, in the sand.

• 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 have nothing to do but wait for me there.

• 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 was only twenty meters from the wall, and I still saw nothing.

• 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 a silence the little prince spoke again:

• 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 have good poison?

• 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]

I stopped in my tracks, my heart torn asunder; but still I did not understand.

• 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 go away," said the little prince. "I want to get down from the wall."

• 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 dropped my eyes, then, to the foot of the wall — and I leaped into the air.

• 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 before me, facing the little prince, was one of those yellow snakes that take just thirty seconds to bring your life to an end.

• 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 I was digging into my pocked to get out my revolver I made a running step back.

• 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, at the noise I made, the snake let himself flow easily across the sand like the dying spray of a fountain, and, in no apparent hurry, disappeared, with a light metallic sound, among the stones.

• 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 reached the wall just in time to catch my little man in my arms; his face was white as snow.

• 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?" I demanded. "Why are you talking with snakes?"

• 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]