Now(used to introduce a new topic or a new point of view [naʊ]) there were(indicates the existence or presence of something [ðɛr wər]) some(an unspecified amount or number of [səm]) terrible(extremely bad or serious [ˈtɛrəbəl]) seeds(the small, hard parts of a plant from which a new plant can grow [sidz]) on(located at a particular place or position [ɔn]) the planet(a celestial body that orbits a star [ðə ˈplænət]) that(used to identify a specific thing or person observed or heard by the speaker [ðət]) was(past tense of 'to be', indicating a state or condition in the past [wɑz]) the home(the place where someone or something lives [ðə hoʊm]) of(indicating belonging or association [əv]) the little prince(a character in the story, a young boy from another planet [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]); and(used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]) these(used to identify specific things or people observed or heard by the speaker [ðiz]) were(past tense of 'to be', plural form [wər]) the seeds(referring back to the seeds mentioned earlier [ðə sidz]) of(indicating belonging or association [əv]) the baobab(a type of tree [ðə baobab]). The soil(the upper layer of earth in which plants grow [ðə sɔɪl]) of(indicating belonging or association [əv]) that planet(referring to the planet mentioned earlier [ðət ˈplænət]) was infested(to be present in large numbers or amounts, usually causing harm or annoyance [wɑz ˌɪnˈfɛstɪd]) with(accompanied by or possessing [wɪθ]) them(referring to the baobab seeds [ðɛm]). A baobab(referring to a type of tree [ə baobab]) is(present tense of 'to be' [ɪz]) something(an unspecified thing [ˈsəmθɪŋ]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) will(used to express a future intention or event [wɪl]) never(at no time in the future; not ever [ˈnɛvər]), never(at no time in the future; not ever [ˈnɛvər]) be able(to have the ability or capacity to do something [bi ˈeɪbəl]) to get rid of(to eliminate or remove something unwanted [tɪ gɪt rɪd əv]) if(introducing a condition [ɪf]) you attend to(to take care of or deal with something [ju əˈtɛnd tɪ]) it(referring to the baobab [ɪt]) too late(after the appropriate or effective time [tu leɪt]). It(referring to the baobab [ɪt]) spreads(to extend or be distributed over a wide area [sprɛdz]) over(extending above or across something [ˈoʊvər]) the entire planet(the whole planet [ðə ɪnˈtaɪər ˈplænət]). It(referring to the baobab [ɪt]) bores(to make a hole in something with a tool or by digging [bɔrz]) clear through(completely through something [klɪr θru]) it(referring to the planet [ɪt]) with(accompanied by or possessing [wɪθ]) its roots(the underground parts of a plant that absorb water and nutrients [ɪts ruts]). And(used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]) if(introducing a condition [ɪf]) the planet(referring to the planet mentioned earlier [ðə ˈplænət]) is(present tense of 'to be' [ɪz]) too small(smaller than necessary or desirable [tu smɔl]), and(used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]) the baobabs(referring to the baobab trees [ðə baobabs]) are(present tense of 'to be', plural form [ər]) too many(more than is desirable or can be managed [tu ˈmɛni]), they(referring to the baobabs [ðeɪ]) split(to divide or break something into pieces [splɪt]) it(referring to the planet [ɪt]) in pieces(broken into fragments [ɪn ˈpisɪz])...
Toilette de la planete.jpg
"It(refers to the task or situation being discussed [ɪt]) is(present tense of 'to be' [ɪz]) a question(a matter or issue to be considered [ə kˈwɛʃən]) of discipline(the practice of training oneself to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience [əv ˈdɪsəplən])," the little prince(a character in the story, a young boy from another planet [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]) said(past tense of 'to say', to utter words [sɛd]) to me(directed towards the speaker [tɪ mi]) later on(at a later time; subsequently [ˈleɪtər ɔn]). "When(at or during the time that [wɪn]) you've finished(contraction of 'you have finished', meaning completed [juv ˈfɪnɪʃt]) your own toilet(the act of washing, dressing, and taking care of one's appearance [jʊr oʊn ˈtɔɪlət]) in the morning(the early part of the day [ɪn ðə ˈmɔrnɪŋ]), then(at that time; after that [ðɛn]) it(refers to the task or situation being discussed [ɪt]) is(present tense of 'to be' [ɪz]) time(a point in time [taɪm]) to attend to(to take care of or deal with something [tɪ əˈtɛnd tɪ]) the toilet(the act of washing, dressing, and taking care of one's appearance [ðə ˈtɔɪlət]) of your planet(taking care of the planet [əv jʊr ˈplænət]), just so(in exactly the same way [ʤɪst soʊ]), with(accompanied by or possessing [wɪθ]) the greatest care(the utmost attention and caution [ðə ˈgreɪtəst kɛr]). You must(it is necessary for you to [ju məst]) see to it(to make sure that something is done [si tɪ ɪt]) that(introducing a clause expressing the content of a verb like 'see' [ðət]) you pull up(to remove something from the ground by pulling it upwards [ju pʊl əp]) regularly(at uniform intervals; frequently [ˈrɛgjələrli]) all(the whole number or quantity of [ɔl]) the baobabs(referring to the baobab trees [ðə baobabs]), at(expressing location or arrival in a particular place or position [æt]) the very first moment(the earliest possible time [ðə ˈvɛri fərst ˈmoʊmənt]) when(at or during the time that [wɪn]) they(referring to the baobabs [ðeɪ]) can be distinguished(to recognize or point out the difference between two or more things [kən bi dɪˈstɪŋgwɪʃt]) from(indicating a starting point or origin [frəm]) the rosebushes(a shrub of a rose species, typically with thorny stems [ðə rosebushes]) which(used to introduce a relative clause referring to the rosebushes [wɪʧ]) they(referring to the baobabs [ðeɪ]) resemble(to have a similar appearance to something else [rɪˈzɛmbəl]) so closely(very similarly [soʊ ˈkloʊsli]) in their earliest youth(in the very early stages of their development [ɪn ðɛr ˈərliəst juθ]). It(refers to the task or situation being discussed [ɪt]) is(present tense of 'to be' [ɪz]) very tedious work(a task that is long, slow, and boring [ˈvɛri ˈtidiəs wərk])," the little prince(a character in the story, a young boy from another planet [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]) added(to say something more [ˈædɪd]), "but(used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or seems unexpected given what has been said previously [bət]) very easy(not requiring much effort; simple [ˈvɛri ˈizi])."
And(used to connect clauses or sentences [ənd]) one day(at some unspecified time in the past or future [wən deɪ]) he(refers to a male person or animal previously mentioned or known [hi]) said(past tense of 'say', to utter words [sɛd]) to me(directed towards the speaker [tɪ mi]): "You ought to(expresses moral obligation or advisability [ju ɔt tɪ]) make(to create or produce something [meɪk]) a beautiful drawing(a visually pleasing and skillfully created picture [ə ˈbjutəfəl drɔɪŋ]), so that(in order that; with the result that [soʊ ðət]) the children(young human beings [ðə ˈʧɪldrən]) where you live(the place where the person being addressed resides [wɛr ju lɪv]) can see(to be able to perceive with the eyes [kən si]) exactly(precisely; in every detail [ɪgˈzæktli]) how all this is(the state or condition of everything being referred to [haʊ ɔl ðɪs ɪz]). That(refers to something previously mentioned [ðət]) would be(conditional form of 'be', expressing a possibility [wʊd bi]) very useful(highly beneficial or helpful [ˈvɛri ˈjusfəl]) to them(referring to the children [tɪ ðɛm]) if(introducing a conditional clause [ɪf]) they were to travel(if they were to go on a journey [ðeɪ wər tɪ ˈtrævəl]) some day(at some unspecified time in the future [səm deɪ]). Sometimes(occasionally; now and then [ˈsəmˌtaɪmz])," he added(he said in addition to what he had already said [hi ˈædɪd]), "there is no harm(there is no negative consequence [ðɛr ɪz noʊ hɑrm]) in putting off(to postpone or delay [ɪn ˈpʊtɪŋ ɔf]) a piece of work(a task or assignment [ə pis əv wərk]) until(up to the point in time or the event mentioned [ənˈtɪl]) another day(a different day [əˈnəðər deɪ]). But(used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said [bət]) when(at the time or in the circumstances that [wɪn]) it is(refers to the situation being discussed [ɪt ɪz]) a matter of(concerning; regarding [ə ˈmætər əv]) baobabs(a type of tree [baobabs]), that(introduces a relative clause [ðət]) always(at all times; on every occasion [ˈɔlˌweɪz]) means(to signify or result in [minz]) a catastrophe(an event causing great and often sudden damage or suffering; a disaster [ə kəˈtæstrəfi]). I knew(past tense of 'know', to be aware of something [aɪ nu]) a planet(a celestial body orbiting a star [ə ˈplænət]) that was inhabited(where people or creatures lived [ðət wɑz ˌɪnˈhæbətəd]) by(indicating the agent performing an action [baɪ]) a lazy man(a man who is unwilling to work or use energy [ə ˈleɪzi mæn]). He neglected(he failed to care for properly [hi nɪˈglɛktɪd]) three little bushes(three small shrubs [θri ˈlɪtəl ˈbʊʃəz])..."
So(therefore; as a result [soʊ]), as(in the way that; to the same degree as [ɛz]) the little prince(a young royal person [ðə ˈlɪtəl prɪns]) described(gave an account of something in words [dɪˈskraɪbd]) it(refers to something previously mentioned [ɪt]) to me(directed towards the speaker [tɪ mi]), I have made(I created or produced [aɪ hæv meɪd]) a drawing(a picture made with a pencil, pen, or crayon [ə drɔɪŋ]) of that planet(referring to the planet previously mentioned [əv ðət ˈplænət]). I do not(I don't [aɪ du nɑt]) much(to a great extent; a lot [məʧ]) like(to enjoy or approve of something [laɪk]) to take(to assume or adopt [tɪ teɪk]) the tone of(the manner or style of speaking or writing [ðə toʊn əv]) a moralist(a person who teaches or promotes morality [ə ˈmɔrəlɪst]). But(used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said [bət]) the danger(the possibility of suffering harm or injury [ðə ˈdeɪnʤər]) of the baobabs(referring to the baobab trees [əv ðə baobabs]) is(third-person singular present of 'be' [ɪz]) so little understood(not well comprehended [soʊ ˈlɪtəl ˌəndərˈstʊd]), and(used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) such considerable risks(significant chances of something bad happening [səʧ kənˈsɪdərəbəl rɪsks]) would be run(would be taken [wʊd bi rən]) by anyone(by any person [baɪ ˈɛniˌwən]) who might get lost(who could become unable to find their way [hu maɪt gɪt lɔst]) on an asteroid(on a small rocky body orbiting the sun [ɔn ən ˈæstərˌɔɪd]), that(introduces a result clause [ðət]) for once(on this one occasion [fər wəns]) I am breaking through(I am overcoming or surpassing [aɪ æm ˈbreɪkɪŋ θru]) my reserve(a quality of reticence or restraint in expression or behavior [maɪ rɪˈzərv]). "Children(young human beings [ˈʧɪldrən])," I say(I state or declare [aɪ seɪ]) plainly(clearly and simply [ˈpleɪnli]), "watch out for(be careful of; be alert to [wɔʧ aʊt fər]) the baobabs(referring to the baobab trees [ðə baobabs])!" My friends(people whom I know well and regard with affection [maɪ frɛndz]), like myself(similar to me [laɪk ˌmaɪˈsɛlf]), have been skirting(have been avoiding [hæv bɪn ˈskərtɪŋ]) this danger(the possibility of suffering harm or injury [ðɪs ˈdeɪnʤər]) for a long time(for an extended period [fər ə lɔŋ taɪm]), without ever knowing it(without realizing it at any time [wɪˈθaʊt ˈɛvər noʊɪŋ ɪt]); and(used to connect words or clauses [ənd]) so(therefore; as a result [soʊ]) it is(refers to the situation being discussed [ɪt ɪz]) for them(for those people [fər ðɛm]) that(introduces a relative clause [ðət]) I have worked(I have put effort into doing something [aɪ hæv wərkt]) so hard(with great effort [soʊ hɑrd]) over this drawing(regarding this picture [ˈoʊvər ðɪs drɔɪŋ]). The lesson(a thing learned or taught [ðə ˈlɛsən]) which(introduces a relative clause [wɪʧ]) I pass on(I transmit or convey [aɪ pæs ɔn]) by this means(through this method [baɪ ðɪs minz]) is worth(has a value equal to [ɪz wərθ]) all the trouble(all the difficulty or effort [ɔl ðə ˈtrəbəl]) it has cost me(that it has required from me [ɪt həz kɔst mi]).