They(refers to a group of people previously mentioned or understood in context [ðeɪ]) are(present tense form of the verb 'to be', linking the subject 'they' to the description that follows [ər]) like that(having certain qualities or characteristics; behaving in a particular way [laɪk ðət]). One(refers to people in general [wən]) must(expresses obligation or necessity [məst]) not(negates the verb 'hold' [nɑt]) hold it against them(to resent someone for something; to blame someone for something [hoʊld ɪt əˈgɛnst ðɛm]). Children(young human beings who have not yet reached adulthood [ˈʧɪldrən]) should(expresses obligation or recommendation [ʃʊd]) always(at all times; on every occasion [ˈɔlˌweɪz]) show(to display or exhibit [ʃoʊ]) great(large in amount or degree [greɪt]) forbearance(patient self-control; restraint and tolerance [fɔrˈbɛrəns]) toward(in the direction of; concerning [təˈwɔrd]) grown-up people(adults [ˈgroʊˌnəp ˈpipəl]). But(introduces a statement that contrasts with or adds to a previous statement [bət]) certainly(definitely; without doubt [ˈsərtənli]), for us(referring to the speaker and others who share a similar understanding [fər ˈjuˈɛs]) who(relative pronoun referring to 'us' [hu]) understand(to perceive the meaning of; to grasp the nature of [ˌəndərˈstænd]) life(the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death [laɪf]), figures(numerical symbols; numbers [ˈfɪgjərz]) are(present tense form of the verb 'to be', linking the subject 'figures' to the description that follows [ər]) a matter of indifference(something that is not important or significant [ə ˈmætər əv ˌɪnˈdɪfərəns]). I(the speaker or writer [aɪ]) should(expresses a conditional or hypothetical situation [ʃʊd]) have liked(would have enjoyed or preferred [hæv laɪkt]) to begin(to start; to commence [tɪ bɪˈgɪn]) this story(a narrative, either true or fictitious, designed to interest, amuse, or instruct the hearer or reader [ðɪs ˈstɔri]) in the fashion of(in the style or manner of [ɪn ðə ˈfæʃən əv]) the fairy-tales(traditional stories, often involving magical creatures and events [ðə fairy-tales]). I(the speaker or writer [aɪ]) should(expresses a conditional or hypothetical situation [ʃʊd]) have like(would have enjoyed or preferred [hæv laɪk]) to say(to utter words; to express oneself verbally [tɪ seɪ]): "Once upon a time(a conventional phrase used to begin fairy tales [wəns əˈpɑn ə taɪm]) there was(used to indicate the existence or occurrence of something [ðɛr wɑz]) a little prince(a young male member of a royal family [ə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]) who(relative pronoun referring to 'a little prince' [hu]) lived(to have one's home; to reside [lɪvd]) on(indicating location or position [ɔn]) a planet(a celestial body moving in an elliptical orbit around a star [ə ˈplænət]) that(relative pronoun referring to 'a planet' [ðət]) was(past tense form of the verb 'to be', linking the subject 'planet' to the description that follows [wɑz]) scarcely(barely; hardly [ˈskɛrsli]) any(used to indicate a small quantity or degree [ˈɛni]) bigger(larger in size [ˈbɪgər]) than(used to make comparisons [ðən]) himself(the reflexive form of 'him', referring back to 'a little prince' [hɪmˈsɛlf]), and(used to connect words or phrases [ənd]) who(relative pronoun referring to 'a little prince' [hu]) had need of(needed; required [hæd nid əv]) a sheep(a domesticated ruminant animal with a thick woolly coat [ə ʃip])..."
To those(Referring to the people [tɪ ðoʊz]) who(relative pronoun referring to 'those' [hu]) understand(to perceive the meaning of; to grasp the nature of [ˌəndərˈstænd]) life(the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic matter, including the capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death [laɪf]), that(refers to a previously mentioned idea or statement [ðət]) would(expresses a conditional or hypothetical situation [wʊd]) have given(would have provided [hæv ˈgɪvɪn]) a much(a great deal; considerably [ə məʧ]) greater(larger in amount, size, or degree [ˈgreɪtər]) air of truth(an appearance or impression of being true [ɛr əv truθ]) to(indicating direction or reference [tɪ]) my story(a narrative, either true or fictitious, designed to interest, amuse, or instruct the hearer or reader [maɪ ˈstɔri]).
For(used to introduce the reason or explanation for something [fər]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) do(used for emphasis with the verb 'want' [du]) not(used to negate the verb 'want' [nɑt]) want(to have a desire for something [wɔnt]) any one(anyone; any person [ˈɛni wən]) to read(to look at and understand written words [tɪ rɛd]) my book(the book written by the speaker [maɪ bʊk]) carelessly(without paying attention or taking care [ˈkɛrlɛsli]). I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) have suffered(to have experienced pain or distress [hæv ˈsəfərd]) too much(more than is desirable or necessary [tu məʧ]) grief(intense sorrow, especially caused by someone's death [grif]) in setting down(in writing or recording something [ɪn ˈsɛtɪŋ daʊn]) these memories(recollections of past events [ðiz ˈmɛməriz]). Six years(a period of six years [sɪks jɪrz]) have already passed(a period of time has elapsed [hæv ɔˈrɛdi pæst]) since(from a definite past time [sɪns]) my friend(a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection [maɪ frɛnd]) went away(left; departed [wɛnt əˈweɪ]) from me(away from the speaker [frəm mi]), with his sheep(accompanied by his sheep [wɪθ hɪz ʃip]). If(used to introduce a conditional clause [ɪf]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) try(to make an attempt or effort to do something [traɪ]) to describe(to give a detailed account of something [tɪ dɪˈskraɪb]) him(referring to the friend [ɪm]) here(in this place or context [hir]), it is(used for emphasis [ɪt ɪz]) to make sure(to ensure; to be certain [tɪ meɪk ʃʊr]) that(introducing a clause [ðət]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) shall not forget(will not forget [ʃæl nɑt fərˈgɛt]) him(referring to the friend [ɪm]). To forget(the act of ceasing to remember [tɪ fərˈgɛt]) a friend(a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection [ə frɛnd]) is sad(causes unhappiness [ɪz sæd]). Not every one(not everyone; not all people [nɑt ˈɛvəri wən]) has had(has experienced or possessed [həz hæd]) a friend(a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection [ə frɛnd]). And(used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) if(used to introduce a conditional clause [ɪf]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) forget(to cease to remember [fərˈgɛt]) him(referring to the friend [ɪm]), I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) may become(might transform into [meɪ bɪˈkəm]) like(similar to [laɪk]) the grown-ups(adults [ðə ˈgroʊˌnəps]) who(referring to the grown-ups [hu]) are no longer(not any more [ər noʊ ˈlɔŋgər]) interested(showing curiosity or concern about something [ˈɪntəˌrɛstɪd]) in anything(in any matter or thing [ɪn ˈɛniˌθɪŋ]) but(except; only [bət]) figures(numerical data [ˈfɪgjərz])...
It is(used to introduce a reason or explanation [ɪt ɪz]) for that purpose(for that specific reason or intention [fər ðət ˈpərpəs]), again(once more; another time [əˈgɛn]), that(introducing a clause [ðət]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) have bought(to have purchased [hæv bɔt]) a box of paints(a container filled with different colors of paint [ə bɑks əv peɪnts]) and(used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) some pencils(a few drawing instruments [səm ˈpɛnsəlz]). It is(used to introduce a reason or explanation [ɪt ɪz]) hard(difficult; not easy [hɑrd]) to take up(to begin or resume an activity [tɪ teɪk əp]) drawing(the act of creating pictures with a pencil or pen [drɔɪŋ]) again(once more; another time [əˈgɛn]) at my age(at the speaker's current stage of life [æt maɪ eɪʤ]), when(at the time that [wɪn]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) have never made(have not ever created [hæv ˈnɛvər meɪd]) any pictures(any drawings or paintings [ˈɛni ˈpɪkʧərz]) except(not including; other than [ɪkˈsɛpt]) those(referring to the pictures [ðoʊz]) of the boa constrictor(a type of snake [əv ðə boʊə kənˈstrɪktər]) from the outside(viewed from the exterior [frəm ðə ˈaʊtˈsaɪd]) and(used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) the boa constrictor(a type of snake [ðə boʊə kənˈstrɪktər]) from the inside(viewed from the interior [frəm ðə ˌɪnˈsaɪd]), since(from the time that [sɪns]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) was six(was six years old [wɑz sɪks]). I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) shall certainly try(will definitely attempt [ʃæl ˈsərtənli traɪ]) to make(to create or produce [tɪ meɪk]) my portraits(pictures of people [maɪ ˈpɔrtrəts]) as true to life(as realistic as possible [ɛz tru tɪ laɪf]) as possible(to the greatest extent or degree [ɛz ˈpɑsəbəl]). But(used to introduce a contrasting statement [bət]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) am not at all sure(not confident at all [æm nɑt æt ɔl ʃʊr]) of success(of achieving the desired outcome [əv səkˈsɛs]). One drawing(a single drawing [wən drɔɪŋ]) goes along(progresses [goʊz əˈlɔŋ]) all right(satisfactorily; well enough [ɔl raɪt]), and(used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) another(a different one [əˈnəðər]) has no resemblance(does not look similar [həz noʊ rɪˈzɛmbləns]) to its subject(to the person or thing being drawn [tɪ ɪts ˈsəbʤɪkt]). I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) make(to create or produce [meɪk]) some errors(mistakes [səm ˈɛrərz]), too(also; in addition [tu]), in the little prince's height(regarding the height of the little prince [ɪn ðə ˈlɪtəl ˈprɪnsɪz haɪt]): in one place(in one instance or part [ɪn wən pleɪs]) he is(referring to the little prince [hi ɪz]) too tall(excessively tall [tu tɔl]) and(used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) in another(in a different instance or part [ɪn əˈnəðər]) too short(excessively short [tu ʃɔrt]). And(used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) feel(to experience an emotion or sensation [fil]) some doubts(uncertainties or hesitations [səm daʊts]) about(concerning [əˈbaʊt]) the color(the hue or shade [ðə ˈkələr]) of his costume(of the clothes he is wearing [əv hɪz ˈkɑstum]). So(therefore; as a result [soʊ]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) fumble along(to proceed clumsily or hesitantly [ˈfəmbəl əˈlɔŋ]) as best I can(to the best of my ability [ɛz bɛst aɪ kən]), now good(sometimes good [naʊ gʊd]), now bad(sometimes bad [naʊ bæd]), and(used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) I(the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]) hope(to want something to happen or be true [hoʊp]) generally(usually; in most cases [ˈʤɛnərəli]) fair-to-middling(of average quality; neither very good nor very bad [fair-to-middling]).
In(preposition indicating location or condition [ɪn]) certain(specific but not fully specified or identified [ˈsərtən]) more important(having greater significance or value [mɔr ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt]) details(individual features or facts [ˈditeɪlz]) I(first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]) shall(auxiliary verb indicating future tense [ʃæl]) make(to perform an action or create something [meɪk]) mistakes(errors or faults [mɪˈsteɪks]), also(in addition; as well [ˈɔlsoʊ]). But(conjunction indicating contrast [bət]) that(referring to something previously mentioned [ðət]) is(linking verb [ɪz]) something(an unspecified thing [ˈsəmθɪŋ]) that(relative pronoun introducing a clause [ðət]) will(auxiliary verb indicating future tense [wɪl]) not(negative particle [nɑt]) be(linking verb [bi]) my(first-person singular possessive pronoun [maɪ]) fault(responsibility for an error or failure [fɔlt]). My(first-person singular possessive pronoun [maɪ]) friend(a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection [frɛnd]) never(at no time in the past or future [ˈnɛvər]) explained(made clear or understandable [ɪkˈspleɪnd]) anything(a thing of any kind [ˈɛniˌθɪŋ]) to(preposition indicating direction or recipient [tɪ]) me(first-person singular object pronoun [mi]). He(third-person singular pronoun referring to the friend [hi]) thought(past tense of 'think'; had an opinion or belief [θɔt]), perhaps(possibly; maybe [pərˈhæps]), that(conjunction introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]) I(first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]) was(past tense of 'be' [wɑz]) like(similar to [laɪk]) himself(reflexive pronoun referring back to 'he' [hɪmˈsɛlf]). But(conjunction indicating contrast [bət]) I(first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]), alas(an expression of grief, pity, or concern [əˈlæs]), do not know(to lack knowledge or understanding [du nɑt noʊ]) how(in what way or manner [haʊ]) to see(to perceive with the eyes [tɪ si]) sheep(plural of 'sheep'; domesticated ruminant animals [ʃip]) through(preposition indicating movement or passage [θru]) the walls(vertical structures that enclose or divide an area [ðə wɔlz]) of(preposition indicating belonging or association [əv]) boxes(containers with flat sides and a lid or open top [ˈbɑksɪz]). Perhaps(possibly; maybe [pərˈhæps]) I(first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]) am(first-person singular present of 'be' [æm]) a little(to some small extent [ə ˈlɪtəl]) like(similar to [laɪk]) the grown-ups(adults [ðə ˈgroʊˌnəps]). I(first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]) have had(past perfect tense of 'have' [hæv hæd]) to grow old(to advance in age [tɪ groʊ oʊld]).