The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery- page 4

My friend smiled gently and indulgently.

• 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 yourself," he said, "that this is not a sheep.

• 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 is a ram.

• 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]

So then I did my drawing over once more. Mouton3.jpg But it was rejected too, just like the others.

• 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]
• 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 is too old.

• 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]

By this time my patience was exhausted, because I was in a hurry to start taking my engine apart.

• 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 I tossed off this drawing.

• 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 I threw out an explanation with it.

• 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 is only his box.

• 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]

Mouton4.jpg

I was very surprised to see a light break over the face of my young judge:

• 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 is exactly the way I wanted it!

• 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]

"Why?"

• Why: for what reason or purpose [waɪ]

"Because where I live everything is very small..."

• 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 be enough grass for him," I said. "It is a very small sheep that I have given you."

• surely: certainly; definitely [ˈʃʊrli]
• 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 bent his head over the drawing.

• 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 that — Look!

• 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]

And that is how I made the acquaintance of the little prince.

• 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 took me a long time to learn where he came from.

• 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, who asked me so many questions, never seemed to hear the ones I asked him.

• 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 was from words dropped by chance that, little by little, everything was revealed to me.

• 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 he saw my airplane, for instance (I shall not draw my airplane; that would be much too complicated for me), he asked me:

• 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 is that object?"

• 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 is not an object.

• 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 flies.

• It: refers to the airplane [ɪt]
• flies: moves through the air using wings [flaɪz]

It is an airplane.

• 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]

And I was proud to have him learn that I could fly.

• 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]

"What!

• What: used to express surprise or disbelief [wət]

"Yes," I answered, modestly.

• 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!

• Oh: expressing surprise, recognition, or understanding [oʊ]

And the little prince broke into a lovely peal of laughter, which irritated me very much.

• 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 like my misfortunes to be taken seriously.

• 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]

"So you, too, come from the sky!

• 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]

At that moment I caught a gleam of light in the impenetrable mystery of his presence; and I demanded, abruptly:

• 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 you come from another planet?"

• 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]