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A COCK, scratching for food for himself and his hens,
A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter I
Read the complete chapter in order, with its original wording preserved for focused English study.
A COCK, scratching for food for himself and his hens, found a precious stone and exclaimed: “If your owner had found thee, and not I, he would have taken thee up, and have set thee in thy first estate; but I have found thee for no purpose. I would rather have one barleycorn than all the jewels in the world.”
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Reading 1/1 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5
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.
a single grain from a barley plant
From this reading “I would rather have one barleycorn than all the jewels in the world.””
the original condition or position of a person or thing
From this reading “and have set thee in thy first estate; but I have found thee for no purpose.”
valuable and important, especially because it is rare
From this reading “found a precious stone and exclaimed: “If your owner had found thee,”
Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COCK, scratching for food for himself and his hens,
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I would rather have one barleycorn than all the jewels in the world.”
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COCK, scratching for food for himself and his hens,
a single grain from a barley plant
From this reading I would rather have one barleycorn than all the jewels in the world.”
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading and have set thee in thy first estate; but I have found thee for no purpose.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COCK, scratching for food for himself and his hens,
the original condition or position of a person or thing
From this reading and have set thee in thy first estate; but I have found thee for no purpose.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading found a precious stone and exclaimed: “If your owner had found thee,
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading and have set thee in thy first estate; but I have found thee for no purpose.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COCK, scratching for food for himself and his hens,
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COCK, scratching for food for himself and his hens,
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading found a precious stone and exclaimed: “If your owner had found thee,
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading found a precious stone and exclaimed: “If your owner had found thee,
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading and not I, he would have taken thee up,
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading and not I, he would have taken thee up,
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COCK, scratching for food for himself and his hens,
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COCK, scratching for food for himself and his hens,
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COCK, scratching for food for himself and his hens,
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading and not I, he would have taken thee up,
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading found a precious stone and exclaimed: “If your owner had found thee,
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading and have set thee in thy first estate; but I have found thee for no purpose.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I would rather have one barleycorn than all the jewels in the world.”
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading and have set thee in thy first estate; but I have found thee for no purpose.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading and not I, he would have taken thee up,
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I would rather have one barleycorn than all the jewels in the world.”
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading found a precious stone and exclaimed: “If your owner had found thee,
valuable and important, especially because it is rare
From this reading found a precious stone and exclaimed: “If your owner had found thee,
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading and have set thee in thy first estate; but I have found thee for no purpose.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I would rather have one barleycorn than all the jewels in the world.”
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A COCK, scratching for food for himself and his hens,
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading and have set thee in thy first estate; but I have found thee for no purpose.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading found a precious stone and exclaimed: “If your owner had found thee,
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading and not I, he would have taken thee up,
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I would rather have one barleycorn than all the jewels in the world.”
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I would rather have one barleycorn than all the jewels in the world.”
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading found a precious stone and exclaimed: “If your owner had found thee,
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading and have set thee in thy first estate; but I have found thee for no purpose.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading and not I, he would have taken thee up,
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I would rather have one barleycorn than all the jewels in the world.”
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading and not I, he would have taken thee up,
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading found a precious stone and exclaimed: “If your owner had found thee,
Repeat the selected source lines aloud to practice rhythm, stress, and clear US English pronunciation.
