🔊 The first time he saw my airplane, for instance (I shall not draw my airplane; that would be much too complicated for me), he asked me:

For example, the first time he saw my airplane (I won't draw my airplane; that would be too hard for me), he asked me:

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airplane /ˈeəpleɪn/

n. A powered flying vehicle with fixed wings and a weight greater than that of the air it displaces.

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complicated /ˈkɒmplɪkeɪtɪd/

adj. Consisting of many interconnecting parts or elements; intricate.

🔊 "What is that object?"

"What is that thing?"

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object /ˈɒbdʒɪkt/

n. A material thing that can be seen and touched.

🔊 "That is not an object. It flies. It is an airplane. It is my airplane." And I was proud to have him learn that I could fly.

"That's not just a thing. It flies. It's an airplane. It's my airplane." And I felt proud to let him know that I could fly.

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flies /flaɪz/

v. Third person singular present of 'fly': to move through the air using wings or an engine.

🔊 "What! You dropped down from the sky?" "Yes," I answered, modestly.

"What! You fell from the sky?" "Yes," I said, in a humble way.

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modestly /ˈmɒdɪstli/

adv. In an unassuming manner; without vanity or arrogance.

🔊 "Oh! That is funny!"

"Oh! That's funny!"

🔊 "So you, too, come from the sky! Which is your planet?"

"So you also come from the sky! Which planet are you from?"

🔊 At that moment I caught a gleam of light in the impenetrable mystery of his presence; and I demanded, abruptly:

At that moment, I saw a spark of understanding in the deep mystery of who he was. So I suddenly asked:

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gleam /ɡliːm/

n. A faint or brief light, especially one reflected from something.

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impenetrable /ɪmˈpenɪtrəbl/

adj. Impossible to pass through or enter; impossible to understand.

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mystery /ˈmɪstri/

n. Something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain.

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abruptly /əˈbrʌptli/

adv. Suddenly and unexpectedly.

🔊 "Do you come from another planet?"

"Do you come from a different planet?"

🔊 But he did not reply. He tossed his head gently, without taking his eyes from my plane: "It is true that on that you can't have come from very far away..."

But he didn't answer. He shook his head softly, still looking at my plane: "It's true that with that, you couldn't have come from very far away..."

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tossed /tɒst/

v. Past tense of 'toss': to throw something lightly or casually.

🔊 And he sank into a reverie, which lasted a long time. Then, taking my sheep out of his pocket, he buried himself in the contemplation of his treasure.

And he fell into a deep thought for a long time. Then, taking my sheep drawing out of his pocket, he became lost in looking at his treasure.

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sank /sæŋk/

v. Past tense of 'sink': to descend or submerge, especially gradually.

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reverie /ˈrevəri/

n. A state of being pleasantly lost in one's thoughts; a daydream.

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buried /ˈberid/

v. Past tense of 'bury': to hide or immerse oneself in something.

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contemplation /ˌkɒntəmˈpleɪʃn/

n. The action of looking thoughtfully at something for a long time; deep reflective thought.

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treasure /ˈtreʒə(r)/

n. A quantity of precious metals, gems, or other valuable objects; a thing of great value.

🔊 "My little man, where do you come from? What is this 'where I live,' of which you speak? Where do you want to take your sheep?"

"My little friend, where do you come from? What is this 'where I live' that you talk about? Where do you want to take your sheep?"

🔊 After a reflective silence he answered:

After thinking quietly for a while, he answered:

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reflective /rɪˈflektɪv/

adj. Relating to or characterized by deep thought; thoughtful.

🔊 "The thing that is so good about the box you have given me is that at night he can use it as his house."

"The good thing about the box you gave me is that at night he can use it as his house."

🔊 "That is so. And if you are good I will give you a string, too, so that you can tie him during the day, and a post to tie him to."

"That's right. And if you are good, I'll also give you a string so you can tie him up during the day, and a post to tie him to."

🔊 But the little prince seemed shocked by this offer:

But the little prince seemed upset by this idea:

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shocked /ʃɒkt/

adj. Caused to feel surprised and upset.

🔊 "Tie him! What a queer idea!"

"Tie him up! What a strange thought!"

🔊

queer /kwɪə(r)/

adj. Strange; odd.

🔊 "But if you don't tie him," I said, "he will wander off somewhere, and get lost."

"But if you don't tie him," I said, "he will walk away somewhere and get lost."

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wander /ˈwɒndə(r)/

v. To walk or move in a leisurely or aimless way.

🔊 My friend broke into another peal of laughter:

My friend laughed again:

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peal /piːl/

n. A loud ringing of a bell or bells; a sudden loud burst of sound.

🔊 "But where do you think he would go?"

"But where do you think he would go?"

🔊 "Anywhere. Straight ahead of him."

"Anywhere. Straight ahead."

🔊 Then the little prince said, earnestly:

Then the little prince said seriously:

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earnestly /ˈɜːnɪstli/

adv. In a serious and sincere manner.

🔊 "That doesn't matter. Where I live, everything is so small!"

"That doesn't matter. Where I live, everything is so tiny!"

🔊 And, with perhaps a hint of sadness, he added:

And, maybe with a little sadness, he added:

🔊

hint /hɪnt/

n. A slight or indirect indication or suggestion.

🔊

sadness /ˈsædnəs/

n. The condition or quality of being sad.

🔊 "Straight ahead of him, nobody can go very far . . ."

"Straight ahead, no one can go very far..."

Chapter III