The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupery- page 9

Now there were some terrible seeds on the planet that was the home of the little prince; and these were the seeds of the baobab.

• 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 of that planet was infested with them.

• 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 is something you will never, never be able to get rid of if you attend to it too late.

• 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 spreads over the entire planet.

• 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 bores clear through it with its roots.

• 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 if the planet is too small, and the baobabs are too many, they split it in pieces...

• 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 is a question of discipline," the little prince said to me later on. "When you've finished your own toilet in the morning, then it is time to attend to the toilet of your planet, just so, with the greatest care.

• 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 see to it that you pull up regularly all the baobabs, at the very first moment when they can be distinguished from the rosebushes which they resemble so closely in their earliest youth.

• 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]

And one day he said to me: "You ought to make a beautiful drawing, so that the children where you live can see exactly how all this is.

• 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 would be very useful to them if they were to travel some day.

• 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," he added, "there is no harm in putting off a piece of work until another day.

• 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 when it is a matter of baobabs, that always means a catastrophe.

• 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 a planet that was inhabited by a lazy man.

• 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]

So, as the little prince described it to me, I have made a drawing of that planet.

• 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 much like to take the tone of a moralist.

• 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 the danger of the baobabs is so little understood, and such considerable risks would be run by anyone who might get lost on an asteroid, that for once I am breaking through my reserve. "Children," I say plainly, "watch out for the baobabs!" My friends, like myself, have been skirting this danger for a long time, without ever knowing it; and so it is for them that I have worked so hard over this drawing.

• 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 which I pass on by this means is worth all the trouble it has cost me.

• 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]