My(belonging to or associated with the speaker [maɪ]) friend(a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection [frɛnd]) smiled(formed one's features into a pleased, kind, or amused expression [smaɪld]) gently(in a mild, kind, or tender way [ˈʤɛntli]) and(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) indulgently(in a way that shows a willingness to allow someone to have or do what they want, especially when this is not good for them [indulgently]).
"You see(to perceive with the eyes; notice; discern [ju si]) yourself(used for emphasis or to refer to the person being addressed [ˈjɔrsɛlf])," he(refers to a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hi]) said(uttered words; expressed something verbally [sɛd]), "that(used to introduce a subordinate clause expressing a statement or fact [ðət]) this(referring to something near in space or time [ðɪs]) is(present tense form of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]) not(used to express negation, denial, or refusal [nɑt]) a sheep(a woolly ruminant mammal kept for its meat and wool [ə ʃip]). This(referring to something near in space or time [ðɪs]) is(present tense form of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]) a ram(an uncastrated male sheep [ə ræm]). It(referring to something previously mentioned or easily identified [ɪt]) has(present tense third-person singular of 'have'; possesses [həz]) horns(a hard, permanent outgrowth, often curved, projecting from the head of certain animals [hɔrnz])."
So(therefore; for that reason [soʊ]) then(at that time; after that [ðɛn]) I(the speaker or writer referring to himself or herself [aɪ]) did(past tense of 'do'; performed an action [dɪd]) my(belonging to or associated with the speaker [maɪ]) drawing(a picture or diagram made with a pencil, pen, or crayon rather than paint [drɔɪŋ]) over(again; once more [ˈoʊvər]) once more(one more time; again [wəns mɔr]). Mouton3.jpg But(used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said [bət]) it(referring to something previously mentioned or easily identified [ɪt]) was(past tense of 'be' [wɑz]) rejected(dismissed as inadequate, unacceptable, or unsuitable [rɪˈʤɛktɪd]) too(in addition; also [tu]), just like(exactly similar to [ʤɪst laɪk]) the others(the remaining ones of a group or set of people or things [ðə ˈəðərz]).
"This one(referring to a specific item or individual from a group [ðɪs wən]) is(present tense form of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]) too(excessively [tu]) old(having lived for a long time [oʊld]). I(the speaker or writer referring to himself or herself [aɪ]) want(desire or wish for something [wɔnt]) a sheep(a woolly ruminant mammal kept for its meat and wool [ə ʃip]) that(used to introduce a relative clause [ðət]) will(expressing a future intention or event [wɪl]) live(remain alive [lɪv]) a long time(a considerable period of time [ə lɔŋ taɪm])."
By this time(at this point in the sequence of events [baɪ ðɪs taɪm]) my(belonging to or associated with the speaker [maɪ]) patience(the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset [ˈpeɪʃəns]) was(past tense of 'be' [wɑz]) exhausted(completely used up; depleted [ɪgˈzɔstɪd]), because(for the reason that [bɪˈkəz]) I(the speaker or writer referring to himself or herself [aɪ]) was(past tense of 'be' [wɑz]) in a hurry(needing to do something quickly [ɪn ə ˈhəri]) to start(to begin [tɪ stɑrt]) taking(to remove [ˈteɪkɪŋ]) my(belonging to or associated with the speaker [maɪ]) engine(a machine with moving parts that converts power into motion [ˈɪnʤən]) apart(separated by an interval or distance [əˈpɑrt]). So(therefore; for that reason [soʊ]) I(the speaker or writer referring to himself or herself [aɪ]) tossed off(to produce something quickly and without much effort [tɔst ɔf]) this(referring to something near in space or time [ðɪs]) drawing(a picture or diagram made with a pencil, pen, or crayon rather than paint [drɔɪŋ]).
And(used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]) I(the person speaking or writing [aɪ]) threw out(to discard or get rid of something; here, it means to offer or give an explanation quickly or casually [θru aʊt]) an explanation(a statement or account that makes something clear [ən ˌɛkspləˈneɪʃən]) with it(along with the situation or object being discussed [wɪθ ɪt]).
"This(referring to something nearby or being indicated [ðɪs]) is(present tense form of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]) only(just; merely [ˈoʊnli]) his(belonging to him [hɪz]) box(a container, typically rectangular, with a flat base and sides [bɑks]). The(definite article, referring to a specific sheep [ðə]) sheep(a woolly ruminant quadruped [ʃip]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) asked for(requested [æst fər]) is(present tense form of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]) inside(within; in the interior [ˌɪnˈsaɪd])."
Mouton4.jpg
I(the person speaking or writing [aɪ]) was(past tense of the verb 'to be' [wɑz]) very(extremely [ˈvɛri]) surprised(feeling or showing astonishment or wonder [səˈpraɪzd]) to see(to perceive with the eyes [tɪ si]) a light break over(a sudden expression or understanding appearing on [ə laɪt breɪk ˈoʊvər]) the face(the front part of the head [ðə feɪs]) of(indicating relationship or belonging [əv]) my(belonging to me [maɪ]) young(in an early stage of life or development [jəŋ]) judge(a person who forms an opinion or evaluation [ʤəʤ]):
"That(referring to something specified or understood [ðət]) is(present tense form of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]) exactly(in a precise and accurate manner [ɪgˈzæktli]) the way(the manner or method [ðə weɪ]) I(the person speaking [aɪ]) wanted(desired or wished for [ˈwɔntɪd]) it(referring to something previously mentioned [ɪt])! Do you think(asking for an opinion or belief [du ju θɪŋk]) that(introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]) this(referring to something nearby or being indicated [ðɪs]) sheep(a woolly ruminant quadruped [ʃip]) will have to have(will be required to have [wɪl hæv tɪ hæv]) a great deal of(a large amount of [ə greɪt dil əv]) grass(vegetation consisting of typically short plants with long, narrow leaves [græs])?"
"Why(for what reason or purpose [waɪ])?"
"Because(for the reason that [bɪˈkəz]) where(in or to what place or position [wɛr]) I(the person speaking [aɪ]) live(to have one's home in a particular place [lɪv]) everything(all things; all the things being considered [ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ]) is(present tense form of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]) very(extremely [ˈvɛri]) small(of limited size; not large [smɔl])..."
"There will surely(certainly; definitely [ˈʃʊrli]) be enough(sufficient; adequate [ɪˈnəf]) grass(vegetation consisting of typically short plants with long, narrow leaves [græs]) for him(for the sheep [fər ɪm])," I(the person speaking [aɪ]) said(past tense of 'say', to utter words [sɛd]). "It(referring to the sheep [ɪt]) is(present tense form of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]) a very small sheep(a sheep of limited size [ə ˈvɛri smɔl ʃip]) that(introducing a relative clause [ðət]) I(the person speaking [aɪ]) have given(past participle of 'give', to present voluntarily [hæv ˈgɪvɪn]) you(the person being addressed [ju])."
He(the person being referred to [hi]) bent(past tense of 'bend', to curve or angle [bɛnt]) his(belonging to him [hɪz]) head(the part of the body above the neck [hɛd]) over(above or upon [ˈoʊvər]) the drawing(a picture or diagram made with a pencil, pen, or crayon [ðə drɔɪŋ]).
"Not so small(not as small as [nɑt soʊ smɔl]) that(used to introduce a clause of result [ðət]) — Look(used to direct someone's attention [lʊk])! He(referring to the sheep [hi]) has gone to sleep(has fallen asleep [həz gɔn tɪ slip])..."
And(used to connect clauses or sentences [ənd]) that(used to identify a specific thing observed or heard by the speaker [ðət]) is(third-person singular present of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]) how(in what way or manner [haʊ]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themself [aɪ]) made(past tense of 'make', meaning to create or bring into existence [meɪd]) the acquaintance(the state of knowing or being familiar with someone [ðə əkˈweɪntəns]) of(expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]) the little prince(referring to a young, possibly royal, character [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]).
III
Precipice.jpg
It(refers to a situation or event [ɪt]) took(past tense of 'take', meaning to require or need [tʊk]) me(the speaker or writer referring to themself as the object of a verb or preposition [mi]) a long time(a considerable duration [ə lɔŋ taɪm]) to learn(to gain knowledge or skill [tɪ lərn]) where(at or to what place or position [wɛr]) he(referring to a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hi]) came(past tense of 'come', meaning to arrive or originate [keɪm]) from(indicating the place or point of origin [frəm]). The little prince(referring to a young, possibly royal, character [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]), who(referring to the little prince [hu]) asked(past tense of 'ask', meaning to put a question to someone [æst]) me(the speaker or writer referring to themself as the object of a verb or preposition [mi]) so many questions(a large number of questions [soʊ ˈmɛni kˈwɛsʧənz]), never(at no time; not ever [ˈnɛvər]) seemed(past tense of 'seem', meaning to give the impression of being or doing something [simd]) to hear(to perceive with the ear the sound made by (someone or something [tɪ hir]) the ones(referring to the questions [ðə wənz]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themself [aɪ]) asked(past tense of 'ask', meaning to put a question to someone [æst]) him(referring to a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [ɪm]). It(refers to a situation or event [ɪt]) was(past tense of the verb 'to be' [wɑz]) from(indicating the source or origin of something [frəm]) words(units of language that have meaning and can be spoken or written [wərdz]) dropped(past tense of 'drop', meaning to say something casually or unintentionally [drɑpt]) by chance(happening unexpectedly and unintentionally [baɪ ʧæns]) that(introduces a subordinate clause specifying or clarifying something [ðət]), little by little(gradually; by small degrees [ˈlɪtəl baɪ ˈlɪtəl]), everything(all things; all the things being considered [ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ]) was revealed(past tense of 'reveal', meaning to make known something that was previously secret or unknown [wɑz rɪˈvild]) to me(to the speaker or writer [tɪ mi]).
The first time(the initial occasion [ðə fərst taɪm]) he(referring to a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hi]) saw(past tense of 'see', meaning to perceive with the eyes [sɔ]) my airplane(the speaker's aircraft [maɪ ˈɛrˌpleɪn]), for instance(as an example [fər ˈɪnstəns]) (I(the speaker or writer referring to themself [aɪ]) shall not(will not [ʃæl nɑt]) draw(to create a picture or diagram [drɔ]) my airplane(the speaker's aircraft [maɪ ˈɛrˌpleɪn]); that(referring to drawing the airplane [ðət]) would be(conditional form of 'to be' [wʊd bi]) much too complicated(excessively difficult to understand or deal with [məʧ tu ˈkɑmpləˌkeɪtəd]) for me(in the opinion of the speaker [fər mi])), he(referring to a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hi]) asked(past tense of 'ask', meaning to put a question to someone [æst]) me(the speaker or writer referring to themself as the object of a verb or preposition [mi]):
"What(asking for information specifying something [wət]) is(third-person singular present of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]) that(used to identify a specific thing observed or heard by the speaker [ðət]) object(a material thing that can be seen and touched [ˈɑbʤɛkt])?"
"That(used to identify a specific thing observed or heard by the speaker [ðət]) is(third-person singular present of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]) not(expressing negation [nɑt]) an object(a material thing that can be seen and touched [ən ˈɑbʤɛkt]). It(refers to the airplane [ɪt]) flies(moves through the air using wings [flaɪz]). It(refers to the airplane [ɪt]) is(third-person singular present of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]) an airplane(a powered flying vehicle with fixed wings [ən ˈɛrˌpleɪn]). It(refers to the airplane [ɪt]) is(third-person singular present of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]) my airplane(the speaker's aircraft [maɪ ˈɛrˌpleɪn])."
And(used to connect clauses or sentences [ənd]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) was(past tense of 'be', indicating a state or condition [wɑz]) proud(feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of one's own achievements, qualities, or possessions or those of someone with whom one is closely associated [praʊd]) to have him learn(to cause him to find something out or realize something over time [tɪ hæv ɪm lərn]) that(introducing a subordinate clause expressing something known or realized [ðət]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) could(past tense of 'can', indicating ability or possibility [kʊd]) fly(to move through the air using wings [flaɪ]). He(the person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hi]) cried out(to utter a loud, sudden sound, typically expressing pain, fear, or surprise [kraɪd aʊt]), then(at that time; after that [ðɛn]):
"What(used to express surprise or disbelief [wət])! You(the person or people that the speaker is addressing [ju]) dropped down(to fall or descend quickly and suddenly [drɑpt daʊn]) from(indicating a starting point [frəm]) the sky(the region of the atmosphere and outer space seen from the earth [ðə skaɪ])?"
"Yes(used to give an affirmative response [jɛs])," I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) answered(said something in response [ˈænsərd]), modestly(in a way that shows humility or a lack of excessive pride [ˈmɑdəstli]).
"Oh(expressing surprise, recognition, or understanding [oʊ])! That(used to identify a specific thing observed or heard by the speaker [ðət]) is(third person singular present of 'be' [ɪz]) funny(causing amusement or laughter; humorous [ˈfəni])!"
And(used to connect clauses or sentences [ənd]) the little prince(a young male member of a royal family [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]) broke into(suddenly began to express a feeling or emotion [broʊk ˈɪntu]) a lovely peal of laughter(a beautiful, ringing burst of laughter [ə ˈləvli pil əv ˈlæftər]), which(referring to the preceding clause or sentence [wɪʧ]) irritated(made someone annoyed, impatient, or angry [ˈɪrəˌteɪtəd]) me(the speaker or writer referring to themselves as the object of a verb or preposition [mi]) very much(to a great extent; greatly [ˈvɛri məʧ]). I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) like(find agreeable or pleasurable [laɪk]) my(belonging to or associated with the speaker or writer [maɪ]) misfortunes(an unfortunate condition or event [mɪsˈfɔrʧənz]) to be taken(to be regarded or considered [tɪ bi ˈteɪkən]) seriously(in a grave or earnest manner [ˈsɪriəsli]). Then(at that time; after that [ðɛn]) he(the person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hi]) added(said something more [ˈædɪd]):
"So(therefore; for that reason [soʊ]) you(the person or people that the speaker is addressing [ju]), too(in addition; also [tu]), come(move or travel towards or into a place thought of as near or familiar to the speaker [kəm]) from(indicating a starting point [frəm]) the sky(the region of the atmosphere and outer space seen from the earth [ðə skaɪ])! Which(asking what particular one or ones of a group or class [wɪʧ]) is(third person singular present of 'be' [ɪz]) your(belonging to or associated with the person that the speaker is addressing [jʊr]) planet(a celestial body moving in an elliptical orbit around a star [ˈplænət])?"
At(expressing location or arrival in a particular place or position [æt]) that(used to identify a specific thing observed or heard by the speaker [ðət]) moment(a very brief period of time [ˈmoʊmənt]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) caught(past tense of 'catch', to intercept and hold (something which has been thrown, propelled, or dropped [kɔt]) a gleam of light(a faint or brief light [ə glim əv laɪt]) in(expressing the situation of something that is or appears to be enclosed or surrounded by something else [ɪn]) the impenetrable mystery(a secret that cannot be understood [ðə ˌɪmˈpɛnətrəbəl ˈmɪstəri]) of(expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]) his(belonging to or associated with a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hɪz]) presence(the state or fact of existing, occurring, or being present in a place or thing [ˈprɛzəns]); and(used to connect clauses or sentences [ənd]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) demanded(ask authoritatively or aggressively [dɪˈmændɪd]), abruptly(suddenly and unexpectedly [əˈbrəptli]):
"Do(used to form questions or negative statements [du]) you(the person or people that the speaker is addressing [ju]) come(move or travel towards or into a place thought of as near or familiar to the speaker [kəm]) from(indicating a starting point [frəm]) another(one more; a further [əˈnəðər]) planet(a celestial body moving in an elliptical orbit around a star [ˈplænət])?"