The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery- page 43

I too sat down, because I was not able to stand up any longer.

• I: pronoun referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• too: also; in addition [tu]
• sat down: lowered oneself to a sitting position [sæt daʊn]
• because: conjunction introducing a reason or cause [bɪˈkəz]
• I: pronoun referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• was not able: did not have the ability [wɑz nɑt ˈeɪbəl]
• to stand up: to rise to an upright position [tɪ stænd əp]
• any longer: for any more time [ˈɛni ˈlɔŋgər]

"There now — that is all..."

• There now: an expression of reassurance or finality [ðɛr naʊ]
• that: referring to something previously mentioned [ðət]
• is all: everything is finished [ɪz ɔl]

He still hesitated a little; then he got up.

• He: pronoun referring to a male person previously mentioned or known [hi]
• still: continuing to do something; even now [stɪl]
• hesitated: paused or delayed before doing something, often due to uncertainty [ˈhɛzɪˌteɪtɪd]
• a little: slightly; to a small extent [ə ˈlɪtəl]
• then: at that time; after that [ðɛn]
• he: pronoun referring to the same male person as before [hi]
• got up: rose to a standing position [gɑt əp]

He took one step.

• He: pronoun referring to the same male person as before [hi]
• took: past tense of 'take', to move something with one's hands [tʊk]
• one step: a single movement of the foot while walking [wən stɛp]

I could not move.

• I: pronoun referring to the speaker [aɪ]
• could not move: was unable to move [kʊd nɑt muv]

There was nothing but a flash of yellow close to his ankle.

• There was nothing: indicates an absence of anything except what follows [ðɛr wɑz ˈnəθɪŋ]
• but: used to indicate the only thing or person mentioned [bət]
• a flash of yellow: a sudden, brief burst of yellow color or light [ə flæʃ əv ˈjɛloʊ]
• close to: near or in proximity to [kloʊz tɪ]
• his ankle: the joint connecting the foot to the leg; possessive pronoun 'his' indicates the ankle belongs to a male individual [hɪz ˈæŋkəl]

He remained motionless for an instant.

• He remained: he stayed or continued to be in a particular state or place [hi rɪˈmeɪnd]
• motionless: without movement; still [ˈmoʊʃənləs]
• for an instant: for a very short period of time [fər ən ˈɪnstənt]

He did not cry out.

• He did not cry out: he didn't shout or scream [hi dɪd nɑt kraɪ aʊt]

He fell as gently as a tree falls.

• He fell: he dropped to the ground [hi fɛl]
• as gently as: in a manner that is soft, careful, and not forceful, similar to [ɛz ˈʤɛntli ɛz]
• a tree falls: the way a tree descends when it is cut down or collapses naturally [ə tri fɔlz]

There was not even any sound, because of the sand.

• There was not even: indicates the absence of something, even to a small degree [ðɛr wɑz nɑt ˈivɪn]
• any sound: any noise or audible vibration [ˈɛni saʊnd]
• because of: due to; as a result of [bɪˈkəz əv]
• the sand: loose granular material on the ground, typically found on beaches or in deserts [ðə sænd]

He fell as gently as a tree falls.

• He fell: he dropped to the ground [hi fɛl]
• as gently as: in a manner that is soft, careful, and not forceful, similar to [ɛz ˈʤɛntli ɛz]
• a tree falls: the way a tree descends when it is cut down or collapses naturally [ə tri fɔlz]

XXVII

And now six years have already gone by...

• And now: introduces a shift in time or topic [ənd naʊ]
• six years: a period of six years [sɪks jɪrz]
• have already gone by: have passed; time has elapsed [hæv ɔˈrɛdi gɔn baɪ]

I have never yet told this story.

• I have never yet: up until this point, I have not [aɪ hæv ˈnɛvər jɛt]
• told this story: narrated or recounted this particular event [toʊld ðɪs ˈstɔri]

The companions who met me on my return were well content to see me alive.

• The companions: the people who accompanied or were with the speaker [ðə kəmˈpænjənz]
• who met me: who encountered or found the speaker [hu mɛt mi]
• on my return: when I came back [ɔn maɪ rɪˈtərn]
• were well content: were very pleased or satisfied [wər wɛl ˈkɑntɛnt]
• to see me alive: to find that I was still living [tɪ si mi əˈlaɪv]

Now my sorrow is comforted a little.

• Now: at the present time; currently [naʊ]
• my sorrow: my feeling of sadness or grief [maɪ ˈsɑroʊ]
• is comforted: is alleviated or eased [ɪz ˈkəmfərtɪd]
• a little: to a small extent; somewhat [ə ˈlɪtəl]

That is to say — not entirely.

• That is to say: in other words; to clarify [ðət ɪz tɪ seɪ]
• not entirely: not completely; not fully [nɑt ɪnˈtaɪərli]

But I know that he did go back to his planet, because I did not find his body at daybreak.

• But I know: however, I am certain [bət aɪ noʊ]
• that he did go back: that he indeed returned [ðət hi dɪd goʊ bæk]
• to his planet: to the celestial body that is his home [tɪ hɪz ˈplænət]
• because: for the reason that [bɪˈkəz]
• I did not find: I did not locate or discover [aɪ dɪd nɑt faɪnd]
• his body: his physical form [hɪz ˈbɑdi]
• at daybreak: at the beginning of the day; dawn [æt ˈdeɪˌbreɪk]

It was not such a heavy body...

• It was not: it wasn't [ɪt wɑz nɑt]
• such a heavy body: a body of considerable weight [səʧ ə ˈhɛvi ˈbɑdi]

and at night I love to listen to the stars.

• and at night: during the nighttime [ənd æt naɪt]
• I love to listen: I enjoy hearing [aɪ ləv tɪ ˈlɪsən]
• to the stars: to the celestial objects in the night sky [tɪ ðə stɑrz]

It is like five hundred million little bells...

• It is like: it resembles or is similar to [ɪt ɪz laɪk]
• five hundred million: 500,000,000 [faɪv ˈhənərd ˈmɪljən]
• little bells: small, tinkling instruments [ˈlɪtəl bɛlz]

But there is one extraordinary thing...

• But: conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been said previously [bət]
• there is: indicates the existence or presence of something [ðɛr ɪz]
• one extraordinary thing: a single, remarkable or unusual occurrence or aspect [wən ˌɛkstrəˈɔrdəˌnɛri θɪŋ]

when I drew the muzzle for the little prince, I forgot to add the leather strap to it.

• when: at the time or occasion that [wɪn]
• I drew: past tense of 'draw', meaning to create a picture or diagram using lines [aɪ dru]
• the muzzle: a covering for the mouth and nose of an animal to prevent it from biting or eating [ðə ˈməzəl]
• for: indicating the purpose or recipient of something [fər]
• the little prince: referring to a young, possibly royal, character [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]
• I forgot: past tense of 'forget', meaning to fail to remember [aɪ fərˈgɑt]
• to add: to include or put something with something else [tɪ æd]
• the leather strap: a strip of leather used to fasten or secure something [ðə ˈlɛðər stræp]
• to it: referring to the muzzle [tɪ ɪt]

He will never have been able to fasten it on his sheep.

• He will never have been able: indicates that he would not have had the ability or opportunity to do something in the future [hi wɪl ˈnɛvər hæv bɪn ˈeɪbəl]
• to fasten it on: to attach or secure the strap to the sheep [tɪ ˈfæsən ɪt ɔn]
• his sheep: the sheep belonging to the little prince [hɪz ʃip]

So now I keep wondering: what is happening on his planet?

• So now: therefore, at the present time [soʊ naʊ]
• I keep wondering: I continue to think about or speculate [aɪ kip ˈwəndərɪŋ]
• what is happening: what is currently taking place [wət ɪz ˈhæpənɪŋ]
• on his planet: on the planet belonging to the little prince [ɔn hɪz ˈplænət]

Perhaps the sheep has eaten the flower...

• Perhaps: possibly; maybe [pərˈhæps]
• the sheep has eaten: the sheep has consumed by eating [ðə ʃip həz ˈitən]
• the flower: referring to a specific flower, likely the rose of the little prince [ðə flaʊər]

At one time I say to myself: "Surely not!

• At one time: at a certain point in the past [æt wən taɪm]
• I say to myself: I tell myself; I think to myself [aɪ seɪ tɪ ˌmaɪˈsɛlf]
• Surely not: expressing disbelief or strong hope that something is not true [ˈʃʊrli nɑt]

The little prince shuts his flower under her glass globe every night, and he watches over his sheep very carefully..." Then I am happy.

• The little prince: referring to a young, possibly royal, character [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]
• shuts: closes or puts away [ʃəts]
• his flower: the flower belonging to the little prince [hɪz flaʊər]
• under her glass globe: beneath a protective glass covering [ˈəndər hər glæs gloʊb]
• every night: each night; on every night [ˈɛvəri naɪt]
• and: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• he watches over: he protects and cares for [hi ˈwɑʧɪz ˈoʊvər]
• his sheep: the sheep belonging to the little prince [hɪz ʃip]
• very carefully: with great attention and caution [ˈvɛri ˈkɛrfəli]
• Then: after that; next [ðɛn]
• I am happy: I feel joy or contentment [aɪ æm ˈhæpi]

And there is sweetness in the laughter of all the stars.

• And: conjunction used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• there is: indicates the existence or presence of something [ðɛr ɪz]
• sweetness: a pleasing or delightful quality [sˈwitnəs]
• in the laughter: present within the sound of laughter [ɪn ðə ˈlæftər]
• of all the stars: belonging to all the stars [əv ɔl ðə stɑrz]

But at another time I say to myself: "At some moment or other one is absent-minded, and that is enough!

• But: conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been said previously [bət]
• at another time: during a different occasion or instance [æt əˈnəðər taɪm]
• I say to myself: I think or tell myself; an internal monologue [aɪ seɪ tɪ ˌmaɪˈsɛlf]
• At some moment or other: at an unspecified point in time; eventually [æt səm ˈmoʊmənt ər ˈəðər]
• one is absent-minded: someone is forgetful or inattentive [wən ɪz absent-minded]
• and that is enough: that is sufficient; that is all it takes [ənd ðət ɪz ɪˈnəf]

On some one evening he forgot the glass globe, or the sheep got out, without making any noise, in the night..." And then the little bells are changed to tears...

• On some one evening: during a particular evening, unspecified [ɔn səm wən ˈivnɪŋ]
• he forgot: he failed to remember or bring something [hi fərˈgɑt]
• the glass globe: a protective cover made of glass, shaped like a globe [ðə glæs gloʊb]
• or: used to introduce an alternative [ər]
• the sheep got out: the sheep escaped or left its enclosure [ðə ʃip gɑt aʊt]
• without making any noise: silently; without creating any sound [wɪˈθaʊt ˈmeɪkɪŋ ˈɛni nɔɪz]
• in the night: during the nighttime [ɪn ðə naɪt]
• And then: subsequently; after that [ənd ðɛn]
• the little bells: small bells, often associated with pleasant sounds [ðə ˈlɪtəl bɛlz]
• are changed to tears: transform into sadness or sorrow [ər ʧeɪnʤd tɪ tɪrz]

Here, then, is a great mystery.

• Here, then: therefore; as a result [hir ðɛn]
• is a great mystery: there is a significant unknown or puzzle [ɪz ə greɪt ˈmɪstəri]

For you who also love the little prince, and for me, nothing in the universe can be the same if somewhere, we do not know where, a sheep that we never saw has — yes or no? — eaten a rose...

• For you: intended for the listener or reader [fər ju]
• who also love: who share an affection for [hu ˈɔlsoʊ ləv]
• the little prince: referring to a specific character, likely from the book 'The Little Prince' [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]
• and for me: and also for myself [ənd fər mi]
• nothing in the universe: no aspect of existence [ˈnəθɪŋ ɪn ðə ˈjunəˌvərs]
• can be the same: will remain unchanged [kən bi ðə seɪm]
• if somewhere: in some location [ɪf ˈsəmˌwɛr]
• we do not know where: the location is unknown to us [wi du nɑt noʊ wɛr]
• a sheep: a farm animal [ə ʃip]
• that we never saw: a sheep that is unfamiliar to us [ðət wi ˈnɛvər sɔ]
• has: auxiliary verb indicating completion of an action [həz]
• yes or no: indicating uncertainty about the following action [jɛs ər noʊ]
• eaten a rose: consumed a flower [ˈitən ə roʊz]

Look up at the sky.

• Look up: direct your gaze upwards [lʊk əp]
• at the sky: towards the atmosphere above [æt ðə skaɪ]

Ask yourselves: is it yes or no?

• Ask yourselves: pose a question to yourselves; consider [æsk ˈjɔrsɛlvz]
• is it yes or no: is the answer affirmative or negative; a binary choice [ɪz ɪt jɛs ər noʊ]

Has the sheep eaten the flower?

• Has the sheep eaten the flower: did the sheep consume the flower? [həz ðə ʃip ˈitən ðə flaʊər]

And you will see how everything changes...

• And you will see: and you will observe or understand [ənd ju wɪl si]
• how everything changes: the extent to which things are altered [haʊ ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ ˈʧeɪnʤɪz]