The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery- page 40

I had loosened the golden muffler that he always wore.

• I: the speaker [aɪ]
• had loosened: had made less tight [hæd ˈlusənd]
• the golden muffler: a scarf, likely made of golden fabric [ðə ˈgoʊldən ˈməflər]
• that: referring to the golden muffler [ðət]
• he: referring to the boy [hi]
• always: at all times; consistently [ˈɔlˌweɪz]
• wore: had on; was wearing [wɔr]

I had moistened his temples, and had given him some water to drink.

• I: the speaker [aɪ]
• had moistened: had made slightly wet [hæd ˈmɔɪsənd]
• his temples: the sides of his forehead [hɪz ˈtɛmpəlz]
• and: conjunction indicating addition [ənd]
• had given: had provided [hæd ˈgɪvɪn]
• him: referring to the boy [ɪm]
• some water: a quantity of water [səm ˈwɔtər]
• to drink: for the purpose of drinking [tɪ drɪŋk]

And now I did not dare ask him any more questions.

• And now: and at the present time [ənd naʊ]
• I: the speaker [aɪ]
• did not dare: was afraid to [dɪd nɑt dɛr]
• ask him: pose questions to the boy [æsk ɪm]
• any more questions: additional questions [ˈɛni mɔr kˈwɛsʧənz]

He looked at me very gravely, and put his arms around my neck.

• He: referring to the boy [hi]
• looked: gazed [lʊkt]
• at me: at the speaker [æt mi]
• very gravely: in a serious and solemn manner [ˈvɛri ˈgreɪvli]
• and: conjunction indicating addition [ənd]
• put: placed [pʊt]
• his arms: the boy's arms [hɪz ɑrmz]
• around my neck: encircling the speaker's neck [əraʊnd maɪ nɛk]

I felt his heart beating like the heart of a dying bird, shot with someone's rifle...

• I: the speaker [aɪ]
• felt: experienced [fɛlt]
• his heart: the boy's heart [hɪz hɑrt]
• beating: pumping rhythmically [ˈbitɪŋ]
• like: similar to [laɪk]
• the heart: a heart [ðə hɑrt]
• of a dying bird: a bird that is in the process of dying [əv ə daɪɪŋ bərd]
• shot: injured by a bullet or projectile [ʃɑt]
• with someone's rifle: by a rifle belonging to an unspecified person [wɪθ ˈsəmˌwənz ˈraɪfəl]

"I am glad that you have found what was the matter with your engine," he said. "Now you can go back home — "

• I am glad: expressing happiness or satisfaction [aɪ æm glæd]
• that: introduces a clause [ðət]
• you: the person being addressed [ju]
• have found: have discovered [hæv faʊnd]
• what was the matter: the problem [wət wɑz ðə ˈmætər]
• with your engine: referring to the engine of a vehicle or machine [wɪθ jʊr ˈɪnʤən]
• he: the subject, previously mentioned [hi]
• said: uttered words [sɛd]
• Now: at the present time [naʊ]
• you: the person being addressed [ju]
• can go: are able to leave [kən goʊ]
• back home: return to one's residence [bæk hoʊm]

"How do you know about that?"

• How: beginning of a question; 'how' inquires about the manner, way, or means of something [haʊ]
• do: auxiliary verb used to form questions and negative statements in the present tense [du]
• you: the person being addressed [ju]
• know: to be aware of something through observation, inquiry, or information [noʊ]
• about: concerning or relating to [əˈbaʊt]
• that: refers to something previously mentioned or understood [ðət]

I was just coming to tell him that my work had been successful, beyond anything that I had dared to hope.

• I: the speaker or writer [aɪ]
• was: past tense of the verb 'to be' [wɑz]
• just: exactly or precisely [ʤɪst]
• coming: moving toward a specific place [ˈkəmɪŋ]
• to: used to indicate purpose or direction [tɪ]
• tell: to communicate information to someone [tɛl]
• him: a male person previously mentioned [ɪm]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
• my: belonging to the speaker [maɪ]
• work: effort directed toward a goal [wərk]
• had been: past perfect tense of 'to be', indicating a state that existed before another past action [hæd bɪn]
• successful: achieving the desired outcome or result [səkˈsɛsfəl]
• beyond: outside the limits or scope of [bɪɔnd]
• anything: any thing whatever [ˈɛniˌθɪŋ]
• that: introduces a relative clause [ðət]
• I: the speaker [aɪ]
• had dared: past perfect tense of 'to dare', meaning to have been brave enough to do something [hæd dɛrd]
• to hope: to want something to happen or be true, and usually have some reason to think that it might [tɪ hoʊp]

He made no answer to my question, but he added:

• He: a male person previously mentioned [hi]
• made: past tense of 'make', meaning to create or produce [meɪd]
• no: not any [noʊ]
• answer: a reply or response [ˈænsər]
• to: indicating direction or relationship [tɪ]
• my: belonging to the speaker [maɪ]
• question: a sentence worded or expressed so as to elicit information [kˈwɛʃən]
• but: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something already said [bət]
• he: the male person previously mentioned [hi]
• added: said something more [ˈædɪd]

Attraction.jpg

"I, too, am going back home today..."

• I: the speaker [aɪ]
• too: also; in addition [tu]
• am: first person singular present of 'to be' [æm]
• going: moving towards a place [goʊɪŋ]
• back: to the place where one started [bæk]
• home: the place where one lives [hoʊm]
• today: the present day [təˈdeɪ]

Then, sadly —

• Then: after that; next [ðɛn]
• sadly: in a sad manner [ˈsædli]

"It is much farther...

• It: refers to a situation or journey [ɪt]
• is: present tense of 'to be' [ɪz]
• much: a large amount or degree [məʧ]
• farther: at a greater distance [ˈfɑrðər]

I realized clearly that something extraordinary was happening.

• I: the speaker [aɪ]
• realized: became aware of something [ˈriəˌlaɪzd]
• clearly: in a clear and distinct manner [ˈklɪrli]
• that: introduces a clause [ðət]
• something: an unspecified thing [ˈsəmθɪŋ]
• extraordinary: very unusual or remarkable [ˌɛkstrəˈɔrdəˌnɛri]
• was: past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• happening: taking place [ˈhæpənɪŋ]

I was holding him close in my arms as if he were a little child; and yet it seemed to me that he was rushing headlong toward an abyss from which I could do nothing to restrain him...

• I: the speaker [aɪ]
• was: past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• holding: grasping or supporting [ˈhoʊldɪŋ]
• him: a male person [ɪm]
• close: near in space or time [kloʊz]
• in: expressing the situation of something surrounded or enclosed [ɪn]
• my: belonging to the speaker [maɪ]
• arms: upper limbs of the human body [ɑrmz]
• as if: in the same way as; as though [ɛz ɪf]
• he: the male person [hi]
• were: past subjunctive of 'to be', used to express a hypothetical or unreal condition [wər]
• a little: small in size or degree [ə ˈlɪtəl]
• child: a young human being [ʧaɪld]
• and: used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• yet: but; nevertheless [jɛt]
• it: refers to the situation [ɪt]
• seemed: appeared to be [simd]
• to: to me [tɪ]
• me: the speaker [mi]
• that: introduces a clause [ðət]
• he: the male person [hi]
• was: past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• rushing: moving with great speed [ˈrəʃɪŋ]
• headlong: with reckless haste [ˈhɛˌdlɔŋ]
• toward: in the direction of [təˈwɔrd]
• an: indefinite article [ən]
• abyss: a deep or seemingly bottomless chasm [əˈbɪs]
• from: indicating the starting point [frəm]
• which: relative pronoun referring to the abyss [wɪʧ]
• I: the speaker [aɪ]
• could: past tense of 'can', indicating ability [kʊd]
• do: perform an action [du]
• nothing: not anything [ˈnəθɪŋ]
• to: in order to [tɪ]
• restrain: to keep under control or within limits [riˈstreɪn]
• him: the male person [ɪm]

His look was very serious, like some one lost far away.

• His: belonging to him [hɪz]
• look: an expression of the eyes or face [lʊk]
• was: past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• very: in a high degree [ˈvɛri]
• serious: solemn or thoughtful in manner or appearance [ˈsɪriəs]
• like: similar to [laɪk]
• some: an unspecified or unknown one [səm]
• one: a person [wən]
• lost: unable to find one's way [lɔst]
• far: at a great distance [fɑr]
• away: to or at a distance [əˈweɪ]

"I have your sheep.

• I: first-person singular pronoun; the speaker or writer [aɪ]
• have: to possess; to own; to hold [hæv]
• your: belonging to the person being addressed [jʊr]
• sheep: plural of 'sheep'; a woolly ruminant quadruped [ʃip]

And I have the sheep's box.

• And: a conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• I: first-person singular pronoun; the speaker or writer [aɪ]
• have: to possess; to own; to hold [hæv]
• the: definite article; referring to a specific sheep's box [ðə]
• sheep's: possessive form of 'sheep'; belonging to the sheep [ʃips]
• box: a container or receptacle [bɑks]

And he gave me a sad smile.

• And: a conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• he: third-person singular pronoun; referring to a male person [hi]
• gave: past tense of 'give'; to freely transfer possession of something to someone [geɪv]
• me: first-person singular pronoun; the speaker or writer as the object of a verb or preposition [mi]
• a sad smile: an unhappy or sorrowful expression using the muscles of the face, particularly the mouth [ə sæd smaɪl]

I waited a long time.

• I: first-person singular pronoun; the speaker or writer [aɪ]
• waited: past tense of 'wait'; to remain in place or be expectant [ˈweɪtɪd]
• a long time: a considerable duration [ə lɔŋ taɪm]

I could see that he was reviving little by little.

• I: first-person singular pronoun; the speaker or writer [aɪ]
• could see: to be able to perceive with the eyes [kʊd si]
• that: conjunction introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]
• he: third-person singular pronoun; referring to a male person [hi]
• was reviving: past continuous tense of 'revive'; to restore to life or consciousness [wɑz rɪˈvaɪvɪŋ]
• little by little: gradually; slowly; in small increments [ˈlɪtəl baɪ ˈlɪtəl]

"Dear little man," I said to him, "you are afraid..."

• Dear little man: an affectionate term for a small or young male person [dɪr ˈlɪtəl mæn]
• I: first-person singular pronoun; the speaker or writer [ aɪ]
• said: past tense of 'say'; to utter words [sɛd]
• to him: prepositional phrase; directed towards the person [tɪ ɪm]
• you: second-person singular pronoun; the person being addressed [ ju]
• are afraid: feeling fear or apprehension [ər əˈfreɪd]

He was afraid, there was no doubt about that.

• He: third-person singular pronoun; referring to a male person [hi]
• was afraid: feeling fear or apprehension [wɑz əˈfreɪd]
• there was no doubt: expressing certainty [ðɛr wɑz noʊ daʊt]
• about that: concerning the aforementioned [əˈbaʊt ðət]

But he laughed lightly.

• But: a conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or seems to contradict something that has been said previously [bət]
• he: third-person singular pronoun; referring to a male person [hi]
• laughed lightly: to express amusement or happiness in a gentle or quiet manner [læft ˈlaɪtli]

"I shall be much more afraid this evening..."

• I: first-person singular pronoun; the speaker or writer [aɪ]
• shall be: future tense of 'be'; to exist or occur in the future [ʃæl bi]
• much more afraid: experiencing a greater degree of fear or apprehension [məʧ mɔr əˈfreɪd]
• this evening: the period of time between late afternoon and night [ðɪs ˈivnɪŋ]

Once again I felt myself frozen by the sense of something irreparable.

• Once again: another time; on a further occasion [wəns əˈgɛn]
• I: first-person singular pronoun; the speaker or writer [aɪ]
• felt: past tense of 'feel'; to experience an emotion or sensation [fɛlt]
• myself: reflexive pronoun; referring back to the speaker [ˌmaɪˈsɛlf]
• frozen: metaphorically, emotionally paralyzed or stunned [ˈfroʊzən]
• by: preposition indicating the cause or agent [baɪ]
• the sense: a feeling or awareness [ðə sɛns]
• of something irreparable: something that cannot be repaired or remedied [əv ˈsəmθɪŋ ˌɪˈrɛpərəbəl]

And I knew that I could not bear the thought of never hearing that laughter any more.

• And: a conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• I: first-person singular pronoun; the speaker or writer [aɪ]
• knew: past tense of 'know'; to be aware of something [nu]
• that: conjunction introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]
• I: first-person singular pronoun; the speaker or writer [aɪ]
• could not bear: unable to tolerate or endure [kʊd nɑt bɛr]
• the thought: an idea or concept in the mind [ðə θɔt]
• of never hearing: the idea of not experiencing the sound of something again [əv ˈnɛvər ˈhirɪŋ]
• that laughter: the sound of someone laughing [ðət ˈlæftər]
• any more: no longer; not again [ˈɛni mɔr]

For me, it was like a spring of fresh water in the desert.

• For me: in my opinion; from my perspective [fər mi]
• it: third-person singular pronoun; referring to the laughter [ɪt]
• was like: similar to; resembling [wɑz laɪk]
• a spring of fresh water: a source of clean, new water [ə spərɪŋ əv frɛʃ ˈwɔtər]
• in the desert: a dry, barren area of land [ɪn ðə ˈdɛzərt]

"Little man," I said, "I want to hear you laugh again."

• Little man: A term of endearment or gentle address, often used for a child or someone smaller in stature. [ˈlɪtəl mæn]
• I said: Indicates the speaker is conveying a direct quote. [aɪ sɛd]
• I want: Expresses a desire or wish. [aɪ wɔnt]
• to hear: To perceive sound with the ears; to listen. [tɪ hir]
• you laugh: The act of making sounds and movements of the face indicating amusement or happiness. [ju læf]
• again: One more time; repeatedly. [əˈgɛn]

But he said to me:

• But: A conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said. [bət]
• he said: Indicates that 'he' spoke or uttered words. [hi sɛd]
• to me: Directed towards the speaker; indicating the recipient of the speech. [tɪ mi]

"Tonight, it will be a year...

• Tonight: The evening or night of the present day. [təˈnaɪt]
• it will be: A future event; something that is going to happen. [ɪt wɪl bi]
• a year: A period of 365 days; a full revolution of the Earth around the Sun. [ə jɪr]

"Little man," I said, "tell me that it is only a bad dream — this affair of the snake, and the meeting-place, and the star..."

• Little man: A term of endearment or gentle address, often used for a child or someone smaller in stature. [ˈlɪtəl mæn]
• I said: Indicates the speaker is conveying a direct quote. [aɪ sɛd]
• tell me: To communicate information to someone. [tɛl mi]
• that it is: Expressing a state of being or condition. [ðət ɪt ɪz]
• only: Solely; merely. [ˈoʊnli]
• a bad dream: An unpleasant or frightening dream. [ə bæd drim]
• this affair: A situation or event, often one that is problematic or controversial. [ ðɪs əˈfɛr]
• of the snake: A limbless reptile; often used symbolically. [əv ðə sneɪk]
• and the meeting-place: A location where people gather or meet. [ənd ðə meeting-place]
• and the star: A celestial body that emits light; often used metaphorically to represent destiny or a guiding force. [ənd ðə stɑr]

But he did not answer my plea.

• But: A conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said. [bət]
• he did not: Indicates a negative action or lack of response. [hi dɪd nɑt]
• answer: To reply or respond to a question or request. [ˈænsər]
• my plea: An earnest request or appeal. [maɪ pli]

"The thing that is important is the thing that is not seen..."

• The thing: An object or entity; a matter or concern. [ðə θɪŋ]
• that is: Expressing a state of being or condition. [ðət ɪz]
• important: Of great significance or value. [ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt]
• is the thing: An object or entity; a matter or concern. [ɪz ðə θɪŋ]
• that is: Expressing a state of being or condition. [ðət ɪz]
• not seen: Not visible; hidden from view. [nɑt sin]