🔊 I had thus learned a second fact of great importance: this was that the planet from which the little prince came is the asteroid known as B-612.

So I learned another important fact: the planet the little prince comes from is Asteroid B-612.

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asteroid /ˈæstərɔɪd/

n. A small rocky body orbiting the sun, typically found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

🔊 This asteroid has only once been seen through the telescope. That was by a Turkish astronomer, in 1909.

This asteroid was seen only once through a telescope. A Turkish astronomer saw it in 1909.

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telescope /ˈtelɪskəʊp/

n. An optical instrument designed to make distant objects appear nearer, containing an arrangement of lenses or mirrors.

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astronomer /əˈstrɒnəmə(r)/

n. A scientist who studies celestial bodies such as planets, stars, and galaxies.

🔊 On making his discovery, the astronomer had presented it to the International Astronomical Congress, in a great demonstration. But he was in Turkish costume, and so nobody would believe what he said.

After finding it, the astronomer showed it to the International Astronomical Congress in a big presentation. But he was wearing Turkish clothes, so no one believed him.

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presented /prɪˈzentɪd/

v. Showed or offered something for others to consider or examine.

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International Astronomical Congress /ˌɪntəˈnæʃnəl ˌæstrəˈnɒmɪkəl ˈkɒŋɡres/

n. A major international conference for astronomers to share and discuss scientific discoveries.

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demonstration /ˌdemənˈstreɪʃn/

n. An act of showing or explaining how something works or is done.

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costume /ˈkɒstjuːm/

n. A set of clothes in a style typical of a particular country or historical period.

🔊 Grown-ups are like that...

Adults are like that...

🔊 Fortunately, however, for the reputation of Asteroid B-612, a Turkish dictator made a law that his subjects, under pain of death, should change to European costume. So in 1920 the astronomer gave his demonstration all over again, dressed with impressive style and elegance. And this time everybody accepted his report.

Luckily, for Asteroid B-612's reputation, a Turkish dictator made a law that people must wear European clothes or face death. So in 1920, the astronomer presented it again, dressed in a very elegant way. This time, everyone believed him.

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reputation /ˌrepjuˈteɪʃn/

n. The beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something.

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dictator /dɪkˈteɪtə(r)/

n. A ruler with total power over a country, typically one who has obtained control by force.

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subjects /ˈsʌbdʒɪkts/

n. People under the rule of a monarch or government.

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under pain of death /ˈʌndə peɪn əv deθ/

phrase. On threat of being killed if one does not obey.

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impressive /ɪmˈpresɪv/

adj. Evoking admiration through size, quality, or skill.

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elegance /ˈelɪɡəns/

n. The quality of being graceful and stylish in appearance or manner.

🔊 If I have told you these details about the asteroid, and made a note of its number for you, it is on account of the grown-ups and their ways. When you tell them that you have made a new friend, they never ask you any questions about essential matters. They never say to you, "What does his voice sound like? What games does he love best? Does he collect butterflies?" Instead, they demand: "How old is he? How many brothers has he? How much does he weigh? How much money does his father make?" Only from these figures do they think they have learned anything about him.

I told you these details about the asteroid and noted its number because of adults and how they act. When you tell them you have a new friend, they never ask about important things. They don't say, 'What does his voice sound like? What games does he love best? Does he collect butterflies?' Instead, they ask: 'How old is he? How many brothers does he have? How much does he weigh? How much money does his father make?' They think they know him only from these numbers.

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essential /ɪˈsenʃl/

adj. Absolutely necessary; extremely important.

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butterflies /ˈbʌtəflaɪz/

n. Insects with large, often brightly coloured wings.

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figures /ˈfɪɡəz/

n. Numbers or statistics.

🔊 If you were to say to the grown-ups: "I saw a beautiful house made of rosy brick, with geraniums in the windows and doves on the roof," they would not be able to get any idea of that house at all. You would have to say to them: "I saw a house that cost $20,000." Then they would exclaim: "Oh, what a pretty house that is!"

If you say to adults: 'I saw a beautiful house made of pink brick, with geraniums in the windows and doves on the roof,' they won't understand it. You have to say: 'I saw a house that cost $20,000.' Then they will say: 'Oh, what a pretty house!'

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rosy /ˈrəʊzi/

adj. Having a pink colour.

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geraniums /dʒəˈreɪniəmz/

n. A popular garden plant with red, pink, or white flowers.

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doves /dʌvz/

n. Birds that are often used as a symbol of peace.

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exclaim /ɪkˈskleɪm/

v. To cry out suddenly, especially in surprise, anger, or pain.

🔊 So you see, it is of no use to tell them about the little prince. You would have to say to them: "The planet from which he came is Asteroid B-612," then they would be convinced, and leave you in peace from their questions.

So, it's useless to tell them about the little prince. You must say: 'He comes from Asteroid B-612.' Then they will believe you and stop asking questions.

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convinced /kənˈvɪnst/

adj. Completely certain about something.

🔊 They are like that. One must not hold it against them. Children should always show great forbearance toward grown-up people.

They are like that. Don't blame them. Children should always be patient with adults.

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forbearance /fɔːˈbeərəns/

n. Patient self-control; restraint and tolerance.

🔊 But certainly, for us who understand life, figures are a matter of indifference. I should have liked to begin this story in the fashion of the fairy-tales. I should have liked to say: "Once upon a time there was a little prince who lived on a planet that was scarcely any bigger than himself, and who had need of a sheep..."

But for those who understand life, numbers don't matter. I wish I could start this story like a fairy tale. I wish I could say: 'Once upon a time, there was a little prince who lived on a planet almost as small as himself, and he needed a sheep...'

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indifference /ɪnˈdɪfrəns/

n. Lack of interest, concern, or sympathy.

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fairy-tales /ˈfeəri teɪlz/

n. Children's stories about magical and imaginary beings and lands.

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scarcely /ˈskeəsli/

adv. Only just; almost not.

🔊 To those who understand life, that would have given a much greater air of truth to my story.

To those who understand life, that would make my story seem more true.

🔊 For I do not want any one to read my book carelessly. I have suffered too much grief in setting down these memories. Six years have already passed since my friend went away from me, with his sheep. If I try to describe him here, it is to make sure that I shall not forget him. To forget a friend is sad. Not every one has had a friend. And if I forget him, I may become like the grown-ups who are no longer interested in anything but figures...

I don't want anyone to read my book without care. I have felt much sadness in writing these memories. Six years have passed since my friend left me with his sheep. I describe him here so I won't forget him. Forgetting a friend is sad. Not everyone has had a friend. And if I forget him, I might become like adults who only care about numbers...

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carelessly /ˈkeələsli/

adv. Without paying attention or thought; negligently.

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grief /ɡriːf/

n. Intense sorrow, especially caused by someone's death.

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setting down /ˈsetɪŋ daʊn/

phrasal v. Writing something on paper; recording.

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memories /ˈmeməriz/

n. Things remembered from the past.

🔊 It is for that purpose, again, that I have bought a box of paints and some pencils. It is hard to take up drawing again at my age, when I have never made any pictures except those of the boa constrictor from the outside and the boa constrictor from the inside, since I was six. I shall certainly try to make my portraits as true to life as possible. But I am not at all sure of success. One drawing goes along all right, and another has no resemblance to its subject. I make some errors, too, in the little prince's height: in one place he is too tall and in another too short. And I feel some doubts about the color of his costume. So I fumble along as best I can, now good, now bad, and I hope generally fair-to-middling.

For this reason, I bought a box of paints and some pencils. It's hard to start drawing again at my age, since I was six, I have only drawn a boa constrictor from the outside and from the inside. I will try to make my drawings as realistic as possible. But I'm not sure I will succeed. One drawing turns out okay, another doesn't look like the subject. I also make mistakes in the little prince's height: sometimes he is too tall, sometimes too short. And I'm unsure about the color of his clothes. So I do my best, sometimes good, sometimes bad, and I hope it's generally okay.

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boa constrictor /ˈbəʊə kənˈstrɪktə(r)/

n. A large snake that kills its prey by coiling around it and squeezing.

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portraits /ˈpɔːtreɪts/

n. Paintings, drawings, or photographs of a person.

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resemblance /rɪˈzembləns/

n. The state of being similar to someone or something.

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fumble /ˈfʌmbl/

v. To use the hands clumsily while doing or handling something.

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fair-to-middling /ˌfeə tə ˈmɪdlɪŋ/

adj. Of average or medium quality; neither very good nor very bad.

🔊 In certain more important details I shall make mistakes, also. But that is something that will not be my fault. My friend never explained anything to me. He thought, perhaps, that I was like himself. But I, alas, do not know how to see sheep through the walls of boxes. Perhaps I am a little like the grown-ups. I have had to grow old.

I will also make mistakes in more important details. But that's not my fault. My friend never explained anything to me. He thought maybe I was like him. But, sadly, I don't know how to see sheep through box walls. Perhaps I am a bit like adults. I have grown old.

Chapter IV