The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery- page 6

This asteroid has only once been seen through the telescope.

• This asteroid: referring to a specific asteroid mentioned previously [ðɪs ˈæstərˌɔɪd]
• has: auxiliary verb indicating present perfect tense [həz]
• only once: happened just one time [ˈoʊnli wəns]
• been seen: past participle of 'see'; to have been observed [bɪn sin]
• through: preposition indicating passage or medium [θru]
• the telescope: an optical instrument used to view distant objects [ðə ˈtɛləˌskoʊp]

That was by a Turkish astronomer, in 1909.

• That: pronoun referring to the previous statement [ðət]
• was: past tense of 'be'; linking verb [wɑz]
• by: preposition indicating agent or means [baɪ]
• a Turkish astronomer: an astronomer from Turkey [ə ˈtərkɪʃ əˈstrɑnəmər]
• in 1909: specifying the year [ɪn 1909]

Astronome turc.jpg

On making his discovery, the astronomer had presented it to the International Astronomical Congress, in a great demonstration.

• On making: upon the act of making [ɔn ˈmeɪkɪŋ]
• his discovery: the act of finding or learning something new [hɪz ˌdɪˈskəvri]
• the astronomer: a person who studies celestial objects [ðə əˈstrɑnəmər]
• had presented: past perfect tense of 'present'; to have shown or offered [hæd pərˈzɛnəd]
• it: pronoun referring to the discovery [ɪt]
• to: preposition indicating direction or recipient [tɪ]
• the International Astronomical Congress: a global gathering of astronomers [ðə ˌɪnərˈnæʃənɑl ˌæstrəˈnɑmɪkəl ˈkɑŋgrəs]
• in: preposition indicating location or manner [ɪn]
• a great demonstration: a large and impressive display [ə greɪt ˌdɛmənˈstreɪʃən]

But he was in Turkish costume, and so nobody would believe what he said.

• But: conjunction indicating contrast [bət]
• he: pronoun referring to the astronomer [hi]
• was: past tense of 'be'; linking verb [wɑz]
• in Turkish costume: wearing traditional Turkish clothing [ɪn ˈtərkɪʃ ˈkɑstum]
• and so: therefore; as a result [ənd soʊ]
• nobody: no person; no one [ˈnoʊˌbɑˌdi]
• would believe: conditional form of 'believe'; to accept as true [wʊd bɪˈliv]
• what he said: the content of his statement [wət hi sɛd]

Grown-ups are like that...

• Grown-ups: adults [ˈgroʊˌnəps]
• are: linking verb [ər]
• like that: behaving in that manner; typical of that kind [laɪk ðət]

Fortunately, however, for the reputation of Asteroid B-612, a Turkish dictator made a law that his subjects, under pain of death, should change to European costume.

• Fortunately: luckily; by good fortune [ˈfɔrʧənətli]
• however: nevertheless; despite this [ˌhaʊˈɛvər]
• for: preposition indicating benefit or purpose [fər]
• the reputation: the general opinion or belief about someone or something [ðə ˌrɛpjəˈteɪʃən]
• of Asteroid B-612: referring to a specific asteroid [əv ˈæstərˌɔɪd b-612]
• a Turkish dictator: a ruler of Turkey with absolute power [ə ˈtərkɪʃ ˈdɪkteɪtər]
• made a law: created a legal rule [meɪd ə lɔ]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
• his subjects: people under his rule [hɪz ˈsəbʤɪkts]
• under pain of death: with the threat of being killed [ˈəndər peɪn əv dɛθ]
• should change: ought to change; were required to change [ʃʊd ʧeɪnʤ]
• to European costume: to wearing European clothing [tɪ ˌjʊrəˈpiən ˈkɑstum]

So in 1920 the astronomer gave his demonstration all over again, dressed with impressive style and elegance.

• So: therefore; as a result [soʊ]
• in 1920: specifying the year [ɪn 1920]
• the astronomer: a person who studies celestial objects [ðə əˈstrɑnəmər]
• gave: past tense of 'give'; to present or perform [geɪv]
• his demonstration: a display or presentation of his findings [hɪz ˌdɛmənˈstreɪʃən]
• all over again: repeated completely; once more [ɔl ˈoʊvər əˈgɛn]
• dressed: wearing [drɛst]
• with impressive style: in a striking and elegant manner [wɪθ ˌɪmˈprɛsɪv staɪl]
• and elegance: graceful and refined appearance [ənd ˈɛləgəns]

And this time everybody accepted his report.

• And: conjunction indicating addition [ənd]
• this time: on this occasion [ðɪs taɪm]
• everybody: everyone; all people [ˈɛvriˌbɑdi]
• accepted: agreed with; believed [ækˈsɛptɪd]
• his report: his written or spoken account [hɪz rɪˈpɔrt]

Habille a l Europeenne.jpg

If I have told you these details about the asteroid, and made a note of its number for you, it is on account of the grown-ups and their ways.

• If: used to introduce a conditional clause [ɪf]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• have told: past perfect tense of 'tell', indicating an action completed before another time in the past [hæv toʊld]
• you: the person being addressed [ju]
• these: plural of 'this', referring to things nearby or just mentioned [ðiz]
• details: particular facts or pieces of information about something [ˈditeɪlz]
• about: concerning or relating to [əˈbaʊt]
• the asteroid: a small rocky body orbiting the sun [ðə ˈæstərˌɔɪd]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• made: past tense of 'make', meaning to create or produce something [meɪd]
• a note: a brief record of something written down to assist the memory or for future reference [ə noʊt]
• of: expressing the relationship between a part and a whole [əv]
• its: belonging to or associated with a thing previously mentioned or easily identified [ɪts]
• number: a quantity or value [ˈnəmbər]
• for: with the object or purpose of [fər]
• you: the person being addressed [ju]
• it is: referring to a situation or fact [ɪt ɪz]
• on account of: because of; due to [ɔn əˈkaʊnt əv]
• the grown-ups: adults [ðə ˈgroʊˌnəps]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• their: belonging to or associated with the people previously mentioned or easily identified [ðɛr]
• ways: a method, style, or manner of doing something [weɪz]

When you tell them that you have made a new friend, they never ask you any questions about essential matters.

• When: at or during the time that [wɪn]
• you: the person being addressed [ju]
• tell: to communicate information to someone in spoken or written words [tɛl]
• them: referring to the grown-ups [ðɛm]
• that: introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]
• you: the person being addressed [ju]
• have made: present perfect tense of 'make', indicating an action completed at some time before the present [hæv meɪd]
• a new friend: someone you have recently become acquainted with and enjoy spending time with [ə nu frɛnd]
• they: referring to the grown-ups [ðeɪ]
• never: at no time in the past or future [ˈnɛvər]
• ask: to put a question to someone [æsk]
• you: the person being addressed [ju]
• any: one or some or every of a number of things, no matter which [ˈɛni]
• questions: a sentence or phrase used to find out information [kˈwɛsʧənz]
• about: concerning or relating to [əˈbaʊt]
• essential: absolutely necessary; extremely important [ɛˈsɛnʃəl]
• matters: a subject or situation under consideration [ˈmætərz]

They never say to you, "What does his voice sound like?

• They: referring to the grown-ups [ðeɪ]
• never: at no time in the past or future [ˈnɛvər]
• say: to utter words so as to communicate something [seɪ]
• to: expressing motion in the direction of (a particular location [tɪ]
• you: the person being addressed [ju]
• What: asking for information specifying something [wət]
• does: used to form questions and negative statements of 'do' [dɪz]
• his: belonging to or associated with a male person previously mentioned or easily identified [hɪz]
• voice: the sound produced in a person's larynx and uttered through the mouth, as speech or song [vɔɪs]
• sound: vibrations that travel through the air or another medium and can be heard when they reach a person's or animal's ear [saʊnd]
• like: having the same characteristics or qualities as; similar to [laɪk]

What games does he love best?

• What: asking for information specifying something [wət]
• games: a form of play or sport, especially a competitive one played according to rules and decided by skill, strength, or chance [geɪmz]
• does: used to form questions and negative statements of 'do' [dɪz]
• he: referring to the new friend [hi]
• love: have a great affection or liking for [ləv]
• best: surpassing all others in quality or attractiveness [bɛst]

Does he collect butterflies?" Instead, they demand: "How old is he?

• Does: used to form questions of 'do' [dɪz]
• he: referring to the new friend [hi]
• collect: bring or gather together (things, typically when scattered or widespread [kəˈlɛkt]
• butterflies: a mainly day-flying insect with broad, colourful wings, and typically having a fluttering flight [ˈbətərˌflaɪz]
• Instead: as an alternative or substitute [ˌɪnˈstɛd]
• they: referring to the grown-ups [ðeɪ]
• demand: ask authoritatively or brusquely [dɪˈmænd]
• How old: asking about someone's age [haʊ oʊld]
• is: third-person singular present of 'be' [ɪz]
• he: referring to the new friend [hi]

How many brothers has he?

• How many: asking about the quantity of something [haʊ ˈmɛni]
• brothers: a male sibling [ˈbrəðərz]
• has: third-person singular present of 'have' [həz]
• he: referring to the new friend [hi]

How much does he weigh?

• How much: asking about the amount or degree of something [haʊ məʧ]
• does: used to form questions and negative statements of 'do' [dɪz]
• he: referring to the new friend [hi]
• weigh: to have a specified weight [weɪ]

How much money does his father make?" Only from these figures do they think they have learned anything about him.

• How much: asking about the amount or degree of something [haʊ məʧ]
• money: a current medium of exchange in the form of coins and banknotes [ˈməni]
• does: used to form questions and negative statements of 'do' [dɪz]
• his: belonging to or associated with a male person previously mentioned or easily identified [hɪz]
• father: a male parent [ˈfɑðər]
• make: to produce something [meɪk]
• Only: and no one or nothing else; solely [ˈoʊnli]
• from: indicating the point in space or time at which a journey, motion, or action starts [frəm]
• these: plural of 'this', referring to things nearby or just mentioned [ðiz]
• figures: a numerical symbol or digit [ˈfɪgjərz]
• do: used to form questions and negative statements [du]
• they: referring to the grown-ups [ðeɪ]
• think: have a particular belief or idea [θɪŋk]
• they: referring to the grown-ups [ðeɪ]
• have learned: present perfect tense of 'learn', indicating an action completed at some time before the present [hæv ˈlərnɪd]
• anything: a thing of any kind [ˈɛniˌθɪŋ]
• about: concerning or relating to [əˈbaʊt]
• him: referring to the new friend [ɪm]

If you were to say to the grown-ups: "I saw a beautiful house made of rosy brick, with geraniums in the windows and doves on the roof," they would not be able to get any idea of that house at all.

• If: used to introduce a conditional clause [ɪf]
• you: the person being addressed [ju]
• were to say: hypothetical situation; an expression indicating a condition that is unlikely or contrary to fact [wər tɪ seɪ]
• to the grown-ups: addressing adults or mature individuals [tɪ ðə ˈgroʊˌnəps]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to themself [aɪ]
• saw: past tense of 'see'; perceived with the eyes [sɔ]
• a beautiful house: a house that is pleasing to the senses; aesthetically appealing [ə ˈbjutəfəl haʊs]
• made of: constructed from [meɪd əv]
• rosy brick: bricks that are pink or reddish in color [ˈroʊzi brɪk]
• with geraniums: having geranium flowers [wɪθ ʤərˈeɪniəmz]
• in the windows: located inside or at the windows [ɪn ðə ˈwɪndoʊz]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• doves: white birds, often symbols of peace [dəvz]
• on the roof: located on top of the house [ɔn ðə rʊf]
• they: referring to the grown-ups [ðeɪ]
• would not be able: expressing inability or lack of capacity [wʊd nɑt bi ˈeɪbəl]
• to get any idea: to understand or form a mental picture [tɪ gɪt ˈɛni aɪˈdiə]
• of that house: referring to the beautiful house described earlier [əv ðət haʊs]
• at all: in any way; to any extent [æt ɔl]

Just so, you might say to them: "The proof that the little prince existed is that he was charming, that he laughed, and that he was looking for a sheep.

• Just so: exactly; in the same way [ʤɪst soʊ]
• you: the person being addressed [ju]
• might say: could possibly say [maɪt seɪ]
• to them: referring to the grown-ups [tɪ ðɛm]
• The proof: evidence establishing a fact or the truth of a statement [ðə pruf]
• that the little prince existed: evidence that the little prince was real [ðət ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns ɪgˈzɪstəd]
• is that: the reason is [ɪz ðət]
• he was charming: he was delightful and attractive [hi wɑz ˈʧɑrmɪŋ]
• that he laughed: he expressed amusement [ðət hi læft]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• that he was looking for: he was searching for [ðət hi wɑz ˈlʊkɪŋ fər]
• a sheep: a farm animal [ə ʃip]

If anybody wants a sheep, that is a proof that he exists." And what good would it do to tell them that?

• If: used to introduce a conditional clause [ɪf]
• anybody: any person [ˈɛnibədi]
• wants: desires or needs [wɔnts]
• a sheep: a farm animal [ə ʃip]
• that is: that serves as [ðət ɪz]
• a proof: evidence establishing a fact or the truth of a statement [ə pruf]
• that he exists: that he is real [ðət hi ɪgˈzɪsts]
• And: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• what good: what benefit or advantage [wət gʊd]
• would it do: would it accomplish [wʊd ɪt du]
• to tell them that: to inform the grown-ups of that [tɪ tɛl ðɛm ðət]

They would shrug their shoulders, and treat you like a child.

• They: referring to the grown-ups [ðeɪ]
• would shrug their shoulders: an expression of indifference or doubt [wʊd ʃrəg ðɛr ˈʃoʊldərz]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• treat you: behave towards you [trit ju]
• like a child: as if you were a young person [laɪk ə ʧaɪld]

But if you said to them: "The planet he came from is Asteroid B-612," then they would be convinced, and leave you in peace from their questions.

• But: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been said previously [bət]
• if: used to introduce a conditional clause [ɪf]
• you: the person being addressed [ju]
• said: past tense of 'say'; uttered words [sɛd]
• to them: referring to the grown-ups [tɪ ðɛm]
• The planet: a celestial body orbiting a star [ðə ˈplænət]
• he came from: the place he originated from [hi keɪm frəm]
• is: third-person singular present of 'be' [ɪz]
• Asteroid B-612: a specific asteroid designation [ˈæstərˌɔɪd b-612]
• then: at that time; after that [ðɛn]
• they: referring to the grown-ups [ðeɪ]
• would be convinced: would be persuaded or certain [wʊd bi kənˈvɪnst]
• and: used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly [ənd]
• leave you: stop bothering you [liv ju]
• in peace: without disturbance or interruption [ɪn pis]
• from their questions: to avoid being asked questions by them [frəm ðɛr kˈwɛsʧənz]