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The Frog and the Ox
The Frog and the Ox

Chapter I · The Horned Monster by the Pool

Read and study this complete chapter with synchronized narration, pronunciation, and vocabulary support.

“Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

A small frog tells its proud parent about an enormous horned ox standing beyond their marsh pool.
Context Illustration Reading 1/1 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”
Tush, child, tush,” said the old Frog, that was only Farmer White’s Ox.
It isn’t so big either; he may be a little bit taller than I, but I could easily make myself quite as broad; just you see.”
So he blew himself out, and blew himself out, and blew himself out.
Was he as big as that?” asked he.
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.

The Frog and the Ox

Chapter I · The Horned Monster by the Pool

Study this chapter through synchronized reading, listening, pronunciation, and contextual vocabulary.

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

Line 1
Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”
Line 2
Tush, child, tush,” said the old Frog, “that was only Farmer White’s Ox.
Line 3
It isn’t so big either; he may be a little bit taller than I, but I could easily make myself quite as broad; just you see.”
Line 4
So he blew himself out, and blew himself out, and blew himself out.
Line 5
Was he as big as that?” asked he.

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.

broad adjective US /brɔːd/

wide from one side to the other

From this reading “It isn’t so big either; he may be a little bit taller than I, but I could easily make myself quite as broad; just you see.””

hoofs plural noun US /huːfs/

the hard feet of animals such as horses, cattle, and deer

From this reading ““Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.””

monster noun US /ˈmɑːnstər/

a creature that is very large, frightening, or strange

From this reading ““Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.””

All words in this reading · 69

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

a

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

and

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

as

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

asked

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

From this reading “Was he as big as that?” asked he.

be

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

From this reading It isn’t so big either; he may be a little bit taller than I, but I could easily make myself quite as broad; just you see.”

big

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

bit

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

From this reading It isn’t so big either; he may be a little bit taller than I, but I could easily make myself quite as broad; just you see.”

blew

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

From this reading So he blew himself out, and blew himself out, and blew himself out.

broadadjectiveUS /brɔːd/

wide from one side to the other

From this reading It isn’t so big either; he may be a little bit taller than I, but I could easily make myself quite as broad; just you see.”

but

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

From this reading It isn’t so big either; he may be a little bit taller than I, but I could easily make myself quite as broad; just you see.”

by

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

child

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

From this reading “Tush, child, tush,” said the old Frog, “that was only Farmer White’s Ox.

could

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

From this reading It isn’t so big either; he may be a little bit taller than I, but I could easily make myself quite as broad; just you see.”

divided

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

easily

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

From this reading It isn’t so big either; he may be a little bit taller than I, but I could easily make myself quite as broad; just you see.”

either

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

From this reading It isn’t so big either; he may be a little bit taller than I, but I could easily make myself quite as broad; just you see.”

Farmer

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

From this reading “Tush, child, tush,” said the old Frog, “that was only Farmer White’s Ox.

Father

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

Frog

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

had

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

have

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

he

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

From this reading It isn’t so big either; he may be a little bit taller than I, but I could easily make myself quite as broad; just you see.”

head

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

himself

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

From this reading So he blew himself out, and blew himself out, and blew himself out.

hoofsplural nounUS /huːfs/

the hard feet of animals such as horses, cattle, and deer

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

horns

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

I

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

in

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

isn't

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

From this reading It isn’t so big either; he may be a little bit taller than I, but I could easily make myself quite as broad; just you see.”

It

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

its

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

just

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

From this reading It isn’t so big either; he may be a little bit taller than I, but I could easily make myself quite as broad; just you see.”

little

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

long

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

make

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

From this reading It isn’t so big either; he may be a little bit taller than I, but I could easily make myself quite as broad; just you see.”

may

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

From this reading It isn’t so big either; he may be a little bit taller than I, but I could easily make myself quite as broad; just you see.”

monsternounUS /ˈmɑːnstər/

a creature that is very large, frightening, or strange

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

mountain

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

myself

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

From this reading It isn’t so big either; he may be a little bit taller than I, but I could easily make myself quite as broad; just you see.”

of

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

Oh

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

old

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

From this reading “Tush, child, tush,” said the old Frog, “that was only Farmer White’s Ox.

on

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

one

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

only

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

From this reading “Tush, child, tush,” said the old Frog, “that was only Farmer White’s Ox.

out

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

From this reading So he blew himself out, and blew himself out, and blew himself out.

Ox

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

From this reading “Tush, child, tush,” said the old Frog, “that was only Farmer White’s Ox.

pool

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

quite

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

From this reading It isn’t so big either; he may be a little bit taller than I, but I could easily make myself quite as broad; just you see.”

said

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

see

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

From this reading It isn’t so big either; he may be a little bit taller than I, but I could easily make myself quite as broad; just you see.”

seen

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

side

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

sitting

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

so

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

From this reading It isn’t so big either; he may be a little bit taller than I, but I could easily make myself quite as broad; just you see.”

such

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

tail

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

taller

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

From this reading It isn’t so big either; he may be a little bit taller than I, but I could easily make myself quite as broad; just you see.”

terrible

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

than

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

From this reading It isn’t so big either; he may be a little bit taller than I, but I could easily make myself quite as broad; just you see.”

that

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

From this reading “Tush, child, tush,” said the old Frog, “that was only Farmer White’s Ox.

the

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

to

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

Tush

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

From this reading “Tush, child, tush,” said the old Frog, “that was only Farmer White’s Ox.

two

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

was

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

White's

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

From this reading “Tush, child, tush,” said the old Frog, “that was only Farmer White’s Ox.

with

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

From this reading “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”

you

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

From this reading It isn’t so big either; he may be a little bit taller than I, but I could easily make myself quite as broad; just you see.”

Chapter Quiz

Use these questions to verify literal comprehension before continuing to the next chapter.

What does the little Frog say it has seen beside the pool?

Which details help the little Frog describe the Ox?

Why does the parent Frog begin blowing itself out?

Shadowing Practice

Repeat the selected source lines aloud to practice rhythm, stress, and clear US English pronunciation.

Young Frog: “Oh Father,” said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, “I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain, with horns on its head, and a long tail, and it had hoofs divided in two.”
Parent Frog: “Tush, child, tush,” said the old Frog, “that was only Farmer White’s Ox.
Parent Frog: “Was he as big as that?” asked he.