V
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(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(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(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]). For(used to introduce a reason or explanation [fər]) the little prince(a character in the story, a young prince [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]) asked(to put a question to someone [æst]) me(the speaker or writer, the person being addressed [mi]) abruptly(suddenly and unexpectedly [əˈbrəptli]) — as if(in a way that suggests something is the case [ɛz ɪf]) seized by(overcome or strongly affected by a feeling or idea [sizd baɪ]) a grave doubt(a serious and significant uncertainty or question [ə greɪv daʊt]) — "It is true(a statement asserting the truth of something [ɪt ɪz tru]), isn't it(a tag question used to confirm a statement [ˈɪzənt ɪt]), that(introduces a clause [ðət]) sheep(plural of sheep, a farm animal [ʃip]) eat(to consume food [it]) little bushes(small shrubs or plants [ˈlɪtəl ˈbʊʃəz])?"
"Yes(an affirmation or agreement [jɛs]), that is true(confirming the truth of a statement [ðət ɪz tru])."
"Ah(an exclamation expressing understanding or realization [ɑ])! I am glad(expressing happiness or pleasure [aɪ æm glæd])!"
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]). But(used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said [bət]) the little prince(a character in the story, a young prince [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]) added(said something more [ˈædɪd]):
"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(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(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(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(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(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(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(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(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(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(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(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(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(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(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(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]).