Learn English through classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
A Simple Soul
A Simple Soul

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of A Simple Soul is here in full — 168 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for A Simple Soul
Context Illustration Reading 1/33 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
He was called Loulou.
His body was green, his head blue, the tips of his wings were pink and his breast was golden.
But he had the tiresome tricks of biting his perch, pulling his feathers out, scattering refuse and spilling the water of his bath.
Madame Aubain grew tired of him and gave him to Felicite for good.
She undertook his education, and soon he was able to repeat: Pretty boy!
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Simple Soul

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of A Simple Soul is here in full — 168 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/33 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
He was called Loulou.
Line 2
His body was green, his head blue, the tips of his wings were pink and his breast was golden.
/hɪz ˈbɑːdi wɑːz ɡriːn hɪz hed bluː ðə tɪps ʌv hɪz wɪŋz wɜːr pɪŋk ənd hɪz brest wɑːz ˈɡoʊldən/
Line 3
But he had the tiresome tricks of biting his perch, pulling his feathers out, scattering refuse and spilling the water of his bath.
/bʌt hiː hæd ðə ˈtaɪərsəm trɪks ʌv ˈbaɪtɪŋ hɪz pɜːrtʃ ˈpʊlɪŋ hɪz ˈfeðərz aʊt ˈskætərɪŋ rəˈfjuːz ənd ˈspɪlɪŋ ðə ˈwɔːtər ʌv hɪz bæθ/
Line 4
Madame Aubain grew tired of him and gave him to Felicite for good.
Line 5
She undertook his education, and soon he was able to repeat: “Pretty boy!
/ʃiː ˌʌndərˈtʊk hɪz ˌedʒəˈkeɪʃən ənd suːn hiː wɑːz ˈeɪbəl tuː rɪˈpiːt ˈprɪti bɔɪ/

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

biting adjective US /ˈbaɪtɪŋ/

capable of wounding

From this reading “But he had the tiresome tricks of biting his perch, pulling his feathers out, scattering refuse and spilling the water of his bath.”

feathers noun US /ˈfeðərz/

plural of “feather” — the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds

From this reading “But he had the tiresome tricks of biting his perch, pulling his feathers out, scattering refuse and spilling the water of his bath.”

perch noun US /pɜːrtʃ/

support consisting of a branch or rod that serves as a resting place (especially for a bird)

From this reading “But he had the tiresome tricks of biting his perch, pulling his feathers out, scattering refuse and spilling the water of his bath.”

scattering noun US /ˈskætərɪŋ/

a small number (of something) dispersed haphazardly

From this reading “But he had the tiresome tricks of biting his perch, pulling his feathers out, scattering refuse and spilling the water of his bath.”

spilling verb US /ˈspɪlɪŋ/

-ing form of “spill” — cause or allow (a liquid substance) to run or flow from a container

From this reading “But he had the tiresome tricks of biting his perch, pulling his feathers out, scattering refuse and spilling the water of his bath.”

tips noun US /tɪps/

plural of “tip” — the extreme end of something; especially something pointed

From this reading “His body was green, his head blue, the tips of his wings were pink and his breast was golden.”

tiresome adjective US /ˈtaɪərsəm/

so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness

From this reading “But he had the tiresome tricks of biting his perch, pulling his feathers out, scattering refuse and spilling the water of his bath.”

undertook verb US /ˌʌndərˈtʊk/

inflected form of “undertake” — enter upon an activity or enterprise

From this reading “She undertook his education, and soon he was able to repeat: “Pretty boy!”

All words in this reading · 50

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

ableadjectiveUS /ˈeɪbəl/

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading She undertook his education, and soon he was able to repeat: “Pretty boy!

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading His body was green, his head blue, the tips of his wings were pink and his breast was golden.

Aubain

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Madame Aubain grew tired of him and gave him to Felicite for good.

bathnounUS /bæθ/

a vessel containing liquid in which something is immersed (as to process it or to maintain it at a constant temperature or to lubricate it)

From this reading But he had the tiresome tricks of biting his perch, pulling his feathers out, scattering refuse and spilling the water of his bath.

bitingadjectiveUS /ˈbaɪtɪŋ/

capable of wounding

From this reading But he had the tiresome tricks of biting his perch, pulling his feathers out, scattering refuse and spilling the water of his bath.

blueadjectiveUS /bluː/

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading His body was green, his head blue, the tips of his wings were pink and his breast was golden.

bodynounUS /ˈbɑːdi/

the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading His body was green, his head blue, the tips of his wings were pink and his breast was golden.

boynounUS /bɔɪ/

a youthful male person

From this reading She undertook his education, and soon he was able to repeat: “Pretty boy!

breastnounUS /brest/

the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen

From this reading His body was green, his head blue, the tips of his wings were pink and his breast was golden.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But he had the tiresome tricks of biting his perch, pulling his feathers out, scattering refuse and spilling the water of his bath.

calledverbUS /kɔːld/

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading He was called Loulou.

educationnounUS /ˌedʒəˈkeɪʃən/

the activities of educating or instructing; activities that impart knowledge or skill

From this reading She undertook his education, and soon he was able to repeat: “Pretty boy!

feathersnounUS /ˈfeðərz/

plural of “feather” — the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds

From this reading But he had the tiresome tricks of biting his perch, pulling his feathers out, scattering refuse and spilling the water of his bath.

Felicite

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Madame Aubain grew tired of him and gave him to Felicite for good.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Madame Aubain grew tired of him and gave him to Felicite for good.

gaveverbUS /ɡeɪv/

inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Madame Aubain grew tired of him and gave him to Felicite for good.

goldenadjectiveUS /ˈɡoʊldən/

having the deep slightly brownish color of gold

From this reading His body was green, his head blue, the tips of his wings were pink and his breast was golden.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Madame Aubain grew tired of him and gave him to Felicite for good.

greennounUS /ɡriːn/

green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass

From this reading His body was green, his head blue, the tips of his wings were pink and his breast was golden.

grewverbUS /ɡruː/

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading Madame Aubain grew tired of him and gave him to Felicite for good.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading But he had the tiresome tricks of biting his perch, pulling his feathers out, scattering refuse and spilling the water of his bath.

HepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He was called Loulou.

headnounUS /hed/

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading His body was green, his head blue, the tips of his wings were pink and his breast was golden.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Madame Aubain grew tired of him and gave him to Felicite for good.

HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading His body was green, his head blue, the tips of his wings were pink and his breast was golden.

Loulou

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He was called Loulou.

MadamenounUS /ˈmædəm/

title used for a married Frenchwoman

From this reading Madame Aubain grew tired of him and gave him to Felicite for good.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading His body was green, his head blue, the tips of his wings were pink and his breast was golden.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading But he had the tiresome tricks of biting his perch, pulling his feathers out, scattering refuse and spilling the water of his bath.

perchnounUS /pɜːrtʃ/

support consisting of a branch or rod that serves as a resting place (especially for a bird)

From this reading But he had the tiresome tricks of biting his perch, pulling his feathers out, scattering refuse and spilling the water of his bath.

pinknounUS /pɪŋk/

a light shade of red

From this reading His body was green, his head blue, the tips of his wings were pink and his breast was golden.

PrettyadjectiveUS /ˈprɪti/

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading She undertook his education, and soon he was able to repeat: “Pretty boy!

pullingnounUS /ˈpʊlɪŋ/

the act of pulling; applying force to move something toward or with you

From this reading But he had the tiresome tricks of biting his perch, pulling his feathers out, scattering refuse and spilling the water of his bath.

refuseverbUS /rəˈfjuːz/

show unwillingness towards

From this reading But he had the tiresome tricks of biting his perch, pulling his feathers out, scattering refuse and spilling the water of his bath.

repeatverbUS /rɪˈpiːt/

to say, state, or perform again

From this reading She undertook his education, and soon he was able to repeat: “Pretty boy!

scatteringnounUS /ˈskætərɪŋ/

a small number (of something) dispersed haphazardly

From this reading But he had the tiresome tricks of biting his perch, pulling his feathers out, scattering refuse and spilling the water of his bath.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She undertook his education, and soon he was able to repeat: “Pretty boy!

soonadverbUS /suːn/

in the near future

From this reading She undertook his education, and soon he was able to repeat: “Pretty boy!

spillingverbUS /ˈspɪlɪŋ/

-ing form of “spill” — cause or allow (a liquid substance) to run or flow from a container

From this reading But he had the tiresome tricks of biting his perch, pulling his feathers out, scattering refuse and spilling the water of his bath.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading His body was green, his head blue, the tips of his wings were pink and his breast was golden.

tipsnounUS /tɪps/

plural of “tip” — the extreme end of something; especially something pointed

From this reading His body was green, his head blue, the tips of his wings were pink and his breast was golden.

tiredadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərd/

depleted of strength or energy

From this reading Madame Aubain grew tired of him and gave him to Felicite for good.

tiresomeadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərsəm/

so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness

From this reading But he had the tiresome tricks of biting his perch, pulling his feathers out, scattering refuse and spilling the water of his bath.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Madame Aubain grew tired of him and gave him to Felicite for good.

tricksnounUS /trɪks/

plural of “trick” — a cunning or deceitful action or device

From this reading But he had the tiresome tricks of biting his perch, pulling his feathers out, scattering refuse and spilling the water of his bath.

undertookverbUS /ˌʌndərˈtʊk/

inflected form of “undertake” — enter upon an activity or enterprise

From this reading She undertook his education, and soon he was able to repeat: “Pretty boy!

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading He was called Loulou.

waternounUS /ˈwɔːtər/

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading But he had the tiresome tricks of biting his perch, pulling his feathers out, scattering refuse and spilling the water of his bath.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading His body was green, his head blue, the tips of his wings were pink and his breast was golden.

wingsnounUS /wɪŋz/

a means of flight or ascent

From this reading His body was green, his head blue, the tips of his wings were pink and his breast was golden.

Chapter 4 of A Simple Soul by Gustave Flaubert holds 168 sentences, grouped into 34 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 4 of A Simple Soul contain?

Chapter 4 holds 168 sentences of A Simple Soul, unabridged, divided into 34 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 4 of A Simple Soul by Gustave Flaubert exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 168 sentences, grouped into 34 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 4 of A Simple Soul?

Work through the 34 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 34 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 4 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 4 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading A Simple Soul

Common questions about reading A Simple Soul by Gustave Flaubert on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of A Simple Soul?

Yes. All 626 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #1253 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of A Simple Soul is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #1253, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does A Simple Soul take to read?

About 52 minutes of reading across 126 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read A Simple Soul section by section

How to work through A Simple Soul section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 5 chapters of A Simple Soul to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in A Simple Soul

Words and structures a reader meets early in A Simple Soul, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Century
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Simple Soul; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Housewives
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Simple Soul; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Pont-l
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Simple Soul; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Eveque
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Simple Soul; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.