The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery- page 8

V

As each day passed I would learn, in our talk, something about the little prince's planet, his departure from it, his journey.

• As: conjunction indicating time or manner [ɛz]
• each day: every day [iʧ deɪ]
• passed: went by [pæst]
• I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
• would learn: used to learn; habitual action in the past [wʊd lərn]
• in: preposition indicating location or time [ɪn]
• our talk: conversation between us [ɑr tɔk]
• something: an unspecified thing [ˈsəmθɪŋ]
• about: concerning [əˈbaʊt]
• the little prince's: possessive form of 'little prince' [ðə ˈlɪtəl ˈprɪnsɪz]
• planet: a celestial body orbiting a star [ˈplænət]
• his departure: the act of leaving [hɪz dɪˈpɑrʧər]
• from: indicating a starting point or origin [frəm]
• it: referring to the planet [ɪt]
• his journey: the act of traveling [hɪz ˈʤərni]

The information would come very slowly, as it might chance to fall from his thoughts.

• The information: facts provided or learned [ðə ˌɪnˌfɔrˈmeɪʃən]
• would come: used to come; habitual action in the past [wʊd kəm]
• very slowly: at a gradual pace [ˈvɛri sˈloʊli]
• as: in the manner that [ɛz]
• it: referring to the information [ɪt]
• might chance: possibly happen [maɪt ʧæns]
• to fall: to drop or descend [tɪ fɔl]
• from: indicating origin or source [frəm]
• his thoughts: the contents of his mind [hɪz θɔts]

It was in this way that I heard, on the third day, about the catastrophe of the baobabs.

• It: referring to the way information was revealed [ɪt]
• was: past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• in this way: in this manner [ɪn ðɪs weɪ]
• that: conjunction introducing a clause [ðət]
• I: first-person singular pronoun [aɪ]
• heard: past tense of 'hear'; perceived with the ears [hərd]
• on: preposition indicating time or location [ɔn]
• the third day: the third day of a period [ðə θərd deɪ]
• about: concerning [əˈbaʊt]
• the catastrophe: a large-scale disaster [ðə kəˈtæstrəfi]
• of: preposition indicating belonging or association [əv]
• the baobabs: a type of tree [ðə baobabs]

This time, once more, I had the sheep to thank for it.

• This time: refers to a particular occasion or instance, indicating a specific point in a sequence of events [ðɪs taɪm]
• once more: again; one more time [wəns mɔr]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• had: past tense of 'have'; experienced or possessed something [hæd]
• the sheep: referring to sheep in general or a specific sheep mentioned earlier in the story [ðə ʃip]
• to thank: to express gratitude or appreciation to someone or something [tɪ θæŋk]
• for it: referring to a previously mentioned situation or benefit [fər ɪt]

"Yes, that is true."

• Yes: an affirmation or agreement [jɛs]
• that is true: confirming the truth of a statement [ðət ɪz tru]

"Ah!

• Ah: an exclamation expressing understanding or realization [ɑ]

I did not understand why it was so important that sheep should eat little bushes.

• I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• did not understand: lacked comprehension of something [dɪd nɑt ˌəndərˈstænd]
• why: the reason for something [waɪ]
• it was: referring to a situation or fact [ɪt wɑz]
• so important: of great significance or consequence [soʊ ˌɪmˈpɔrtənt]
• that: introduces a clause [ðət]
• sheep: plural of sheep, a farm animal [ʃip]
• should eat: expressing a condition or requirement [ʃʊd it]
• little bushes: small shrubs or plants [ˈlɪtəl ˈbʊʃəz]

"Then it follows that they also eat baobabs?"

• Then: as a consequence; therefore [ðɛn]
• it follows: it logically results [ɪt ˈfɑloʊz]
• that: introduces a clause [ðət]
• they: referring to sheep [ðeɪ]
• also: in addition; as well [ˈɔlsoʊ]
• eat: to consume food [it]
• baobabs: a type of tree [baobabs]

I pointed out to the little prince that baobabs were not little bushes, but, on the contrary, trees as big as castles; and that even if he took a whole herd of elephants away with him, the herd would not eat up one single baobab.

• I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• pointed out: drew attention to something [ˈpɔɪntɪd aʊt]
• to the little prince: addressing the young prince [tɪ ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]
• that: introduces a clause [ðət]
• baobabs: a type of tree [baobabs]
• were not: were not the case [wər nɑt]
• little bushes: small shrubs or plants [ˈlɪtəl ˈbʊʃəz]
• but: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said [bət]
• on the contrary: the opposite is true [ɔn ðə ˈkɑntrɛri]
• trees: large plants with a trunk and branches [triz]
• as big as: of the same size or extent as [ɛz bɪg ɛz]
• castles: large fortified buildings [ˈkæsəlz]
• and: used to connect words or clauses [ənd]
• that: introduces a clause [ðət]
• even if: even on the condition that [ˈivɪn ɪf]
• he: referring to the little prince [hi]
• took: past tense of 'take'; moved or carried something [tʊk]
• a whole herd: a large group of animals [ə hoʊl hərd]
• of elephants: large mammals with trunks [əv ˈɛləfənts]
• away with him: took them with him [əˈweɪ wɪθ ɪm]
• the herd: the group of elephants [ðə hərd]
• would not eat up: would not consume completely [wʊd nɑt it əp]
• one single baobab: just one baobab tree [wən ˈsɪŋgəl baobab]

The idea of the herd of elephants made the little prince laugh.

• The idea: a thought or concept [ðə aɪˈdiə]
• of the herd: referring to the group of elephants [əv ðə hərd]
• of elephants: large mammals with trunks [əv ˈɛləfənts]
• made: caused to be [meɪd]
• the little prince: a character in the story, a young prince [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]
• laugh: to make sounds expressing amusement [læf]

"We would have to put them one on top of the other," he said.

• We: first-person plural pronoun, referring to the speaker and one or more other people [wi]
• would have to: indicates necessity or obligation in a conditional situation [wʊd hæv tɪ]
• put: to place something in a particular position [pʊt]
• them: pronoun referring to previously mentioned objects or people [ðɛm]
• one on top of the other: placed directly above each other in a vertical arrangement [wən ɔn tɔp əv ðə ˈəðər]
• he said: attribution of the statement to a male speaker [hi sɛd]

Elephants.jpg

But he made a wise comment:

• But: conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been said previously [bət]
• he made: past tense of 'make', indicating that he produced or gave something [hi meɪd]
• a wise comment: an intelligent and insightful remark or observation [ə waɪz ˈkɑmɛnt]

"Before they grow so big, the baobabs start out by being little."

• Before: preposition indicating a time preceding a particular event or point in time [ˌbiˈfɔr]
• they grow: to increase in size or develop over time [ðeɪ groʊ]
• so big: to such a large extent or size [soʊ bɪg]
• the baobabs: specific type of tree [ðə baobabs]
• start out: to begin or commence an activity or existence [stɑrt aʊt]
• by being: indicating the means or method by which something is achieved [baɪ biɪŋ]
• little: small in size [ˈlɪtəl]

"That is strictly correct," I said. "But why do you want the sheep to eat the little baobabs?"

• That: pronoun referring to something previously mentioned or understood [ðət]
• is: present tense of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]
• strictly correct: accurate and precise in every detail [ˈstrɪktli kərˈɛkt]
• I said: attribution of the statement to the speaker [aɪ sɛd]
• But: conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been said previously [bət]
• why: asking for the reason or purpose [waɪ]
• do you want: expressing a desire or wish [du ju wɔnt]
• the sheep: plural of sheep, a type of farm animal [ðə ʃip]
• to eat: to consume food [tɪ it]
• the little baobabs: small baobab trees [ðə ˈlɪtəl baobabs]

He answered me at once, "Oh, come, come!", as if he were speaking of something that was self-evident.

• He answered: responded to a question or statement [hi ˈænsərd]
• me: first-person singular object pronoun [mi]
• at once: immediately; without delay [æt wəns]
• Oh, come, come: an expression of mild disagreement or impatience [oʊ kəm kəm]
• as if: in a way that suggests or appears to be [ɛz ɪf]
• he were speaking: subjunctive mood, indicating a hypothetical or unreal situation [hi wər ˈspikɪŋ]
• of something: referring to an unspecified thing [əv ˈsəmθɪŋ]
• that was self-evident: obvious and requiring no proof or explanation [ðət wɑz self-evident]

And I was obliged to make a great mental effort to solve this problem, without any assistance.

• And: conjunction used to connect clauses or sentences [ənd]
• I was obliged: under a moral or legal obligation to do something [aɪ wɑz əˈblaɪʤd]
• to make: to perform an action [tɪ meɪk]
• a great mental effort: a significant amount of focused thought and concentration [ə greɪt ˈmɛntəl ˈɛfərt]
• to solve: to find a solution to a problem [tɪ sɑlv]
• this problem: a specific issue or difficulty [ðɪs ˈprɑbləm]
• without any assistance: without help or support from anyone else [wɪˈθaʊt ˈɛni əˈsɪstəns]

Indeed, as I learned, there were on the planet where the little prince lived — as on all planets — good plants and bad plants.

• Indeed: used to emphasize a statement or to express agreement [ˌɪnˈdid]
• as I learned: upon gaining knowledge or understanding [ɛz aɪ ˈlərnɪd]
• there were: used to indicate the existence of something [ðɛr wər]
• on the planet: a celestial body orbiting a star [ɔn ðə ˈplænət]
• where the little prince lived: the specific location of the main character's home [wɛr ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns lɪvd]
• as on all planets: similar to every other planet [ɛz ɔn ɔl ˈplænəts]
• good plants: plants that are beneficial or desirable [gʊd plænts]
• and bad plants: plants that are harmful or undesirable [ənd bæd plænts]

In consequence, there were good seeds from good plants, and bad seeds from bad plants.

• In consequence: as a result; therefore [ɪn ˈkɑnsəkwəns]
• there were: used to indicate the existence of something [ðɛr wər]
• good seeds: seeds from good plants [gʊd sidz]
• from good plants: originating from beneficial or desirable plants [frəm gʊd plænts]
• and bad seeds: seeds from bad plants [ənd bæd sidz]
• from bad plants: originating from harmful or undesirable plants [frəm bæd plænts]

But seeds are invisible.

• But: conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been said previously [bət]
• seeds are invisible: seeds cannot be seen [sidz ər ˌɪnˈvɪzəbəl]

They sleep deep in the heart of the earth's darkness, until some one among them is seized with the desire to awaken.

• They sleep: to be in a state of dormancy or inactivity [ðeɪ slip]
• deep: extending far down or in [dip]
• in the heart: the central or innermost part [ɪn ðə hɑrt]
• of the earth's darkness: the dark interior of the earth [əv ðə ərθs ˈdɑrknəs]
• until: up to the point in time or the event mentioned [ənˈtɪl]
• some one: an unspecified person [səm wən]
• among them: included within a group of seeds [əˈməŋ ðɛm]
• is seized: to be suddenly affected by a strong emotion or impulse [ɪz sizd]
• with the desire: a strong feeling of wanting something [wɪθ ðə dɪˈzaɪər]
• to awaken: to wake up or become active [tɪ əˈweɪkən]

Then this little seed will stretch itself and begin — timidly at first — to push a charming little sprig inoffensively upward toward the sun.

• Then: at that time; after that [ðɛn]
• this little seed: a small seed [ðɪs ˈlɪtəl sid]
• will stretch itself: to extend one's body or limbs to their full extent [wɪl strɛʧ ˌɪtˈsɛlf]
• and begin: to start or commence an action [ənd bɪˈgɪn]
• timidly: in a shy or hesitant manner [ˈtɪmədli]
• at first: in the beginning; initially [æt fərst]
• to push: to exert force on something in order to move it away [tɪ pʊʃ]
• a charming little sprig: a delightful small shoot or twig [ə ˈʧɑrmɪŋ ˈlɪtəl sprig]
• inoffensively: in a way that does not cause harm or offense [inoffensively]
• upward: toward a higher place or position [ˈəpwərd]
• toward the sun: in the direction of the sun [təˈwɔrd ðə sən]

If it is only a sprout of radish or the sprig of a rose-bush, one would let it grow wherever it might wish.

• If: used to introduce a conditional clause [ɪf]
• it is: present tense of the verb 'to be' [ɪt ɪz]
• only a sprout: a newly germinated plant [ˈoʊnli ə spraʊt]
• of radish: a root vegetable [əv ˈrædɪʃ]
• or the sprig: a small shoot or twig [ər ðə sprig]
• of a rose-bush: a shrub that produces roses [əv ə rose-bush]
• one would let it grow: allow it to develop [wən wʊd lɛt ɪt groʊ]
• wherever it might wish: in any place it chooses [wɛˈrɛvər ɪt maɪt wɪʃ]

But when it is a bad plant, one must destroy it as soon as possible, the very first instant that one recognizes it.

• But: conjunction used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been said previously [bət]
• when it is: if it is [wɪn ɪt ɪz]
• a bad plant: a harmful or undesirable plant [ə bæd plænt]
• one must destroy it: it is necessary to eliminate it [wən məst dɪˈstrɔɪ ɪt]
• as soon as possible: at the earliest opportunity [ɛz sun ɛz ˈpɑsəbəl]
• the very first instant: the immediate moment [ðə ˈvɛri fərst ˈɪnstənt]
• that one recognizes it: when it is identified [ðət wən ˈrɛkəgˌnaɪzɪz ɪt]