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The Wolf and the Crane
The Wolf and the Crane

Chapter I · The Wolf’s Reward

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

By Aesop • Curated US English Learning Edition

A WOLF who had a bone stuck in his throat hired a Crane, for a large sum,

A crane holds the bone she removed while the grinning wolf keeps the promised payment behind him.
Context Illustration Reading 1/1 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A WOLF who had a bone stuck in his throat hired a Crane, for a large sum,
to put her head into his mouth and draw out the bone. When the Crane had extracted the bone and demanded the promised payment,
the Wolf, grinning and grinding his teeth, exclaimed: “Why, you have surely already had a sufficient recompense,
in having been permitted to draw out your head in safety from the mouth and jaws of a wolf.”
In serving the wicked, expect no reward, and be thankful if you escape injury for your pains.
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 Wolf and the Crane

Chapter I · The Wolf’s Reward

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

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

Line 1
A WOLF who had a bone stuck in his throat hired a Crane, for a large sum,
Line 2
to put her head into his mouth and draw out the bone. When the Crane had extracted the bone and demanded the promised payment,
Line 3
the Wolf, grinning and grinding his teeth, exclaimed: “Why, you have surely already had a sufficient recompense,
Line 4
in having been permitted to draw out your head in safety from the mouth and jaws of a wolf.”
Line 5
In serving the wicked, expect no reward, and be thankful if you escape injury for your pains.

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.

extracted verb US /ɪkˈstræktɪd/

removed something, especially with effort or care

From this reading “to put her head into his mouth and draw out the bone. When the Crane had extracted the bone and demanded the promised payment,”

Velmora learner dictionary · Oxford-style editorial format
recompense noun US /ˈrekəmpens/

something given as payment or reward for effort or loss

From this reading “the Wolf, grinning and grinding his teeth, exclaimed: “Why, you have surely already had a sufficient recompense,”

Velmora learner dictionary · Oxford-style editorial format
wicked adjective US /ˈwɪkɪd/

morally bad and willing to harm others

From this reading “In serving the wicked, expect no reward, and be thankful if you escape injury for your pains.”

Velmora learner dictionary · Oxford-style editorial format
All words in this reading · 59

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 A WOLF who had a bone stuck in his throat hired a Crane, for a large sum,

Pending verification
already

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

From this reading the Wolf, grinning and grinding his teeth, exclaimed: “Why, you have surely already had a sufficient recompense,

Pending verification
and

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

From this reading to put her head into his mouth and draw out the bone. When the Crane had extracted the bone and demanded the promised payment,

Pending verification
be

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

From this reading In serving the wicked, expect no reward, and be thankful if you escape injury for your pains.

Pending verification
been

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

From this reading in having been permitted to draw out your head in safety from the mouth and jaws of a wolf.”

Pending verification
bone

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

From this reading A WOLF who had a bone stuck in his throat hired a Crane, for a large sum,

Pending verification
Crane

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

From this reading A WOLF who had a bone stuck in his throat hired a Crane, for a large sum,

Pending verification
demanded

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

From this reading to put her head into his mouth and draw out the bone. When the Crane had extracted the bone and demanded the promised payment,

Pending verification
draw

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

From this reading to put her head into his mouth and draw out the bone. When the Crane had extracted the bone and demanded the promised payment,

Pending verification
escape

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

From this reading In serving the wicked, expect no reward, and be thankful if you escape injury for your pains.

Pending verification
exclaimed

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

From this reading the Wolf, grinning and grinding his teeth, exclaimed: “Why, you have surely already had a sufficient recompense,

Pending verification
expect

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

From this reading In serving the wicked, expect no reward, and be thankful if you escape injury for your pains.

Pending verification
extractedverbUS /ɪkˈstræktɪd/

removed something, especially with effort or care

From this reading to put her head into his mouth and draw out the bone. When the Crane had extracted the bone and demanded the promised payment,

Velmora learner dictionary · Oxford-style editorial format
for

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

From this reading A WOLF who had a bone stuck in his throat hired a Crane, for a large sum,

Pending verification
from

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

From this reading in having been permitted to draw out your head in safety from the mouth and jaws of a wolf.”

Pending verification
grinding

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

From this reading the Wolf, grinning and grinding his teeth, exclaimed: “Why, you have surely already had a sufficient recompense,

Pending verification
grinning

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

From this reading the Wolf, grinning and grinding his teeth, exclaimed: “Why, you have surely already had a sufficient recompense,

Pending verification
had

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

From this reading A WOLF who had a bone stuck in his throat hired a Crane, for a large sum,

Pending verification
have

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

From this reading the Wolf, grinning and grinding his teeth, exclaimed: “Why, you have surely already had a sufficient recompense,

Pending verification
having

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

From this reading in having been permitted to draw out your head in safety from the mouth and jaws of a wolf.”

Pending verification
head

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

From this reading to put her head into his mouth and draw out the bone. When the Crane had extracted the bone and demanded the promised payment,

Pending verification
her

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

From this reading to put her head into his mouth and draw out the bone. When the Crane had extracted the bone and demanded the promised payment,

Pending verification
hired

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

From this reading A WOLF who had a bone stuck in his throat hired a Crane, for a large sum,

Pending verification
his

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

From this reading A WOLF who had a bone stuck in his throat hired a Crane, for a large sum,

Pending verification
if

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

From this reading In serving the wicked, expect no reward, and be thankful if you escape injury for your pains.

Pending verification
in

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

From this reading A WOLF who had a bone stuck in his throat hired a Crane, for a large sum,

Pending verification
injury

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

From this reading In serving the wicked, expect no reward, and be thankful if you escape injury for your pains.

Pending verification
into

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

From this reading to put her head into his mouth and draw out the bone. When the Crane had extracted the bone and demanded the promised payment,

Pending verification
jaws

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

From this reading in having been permitted to draw out your head in safety from the mouth and jaws of a wolf.”

Pending verification
large

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

From this reading A WOLF who had a bone stuck in his throat hired a Crane, for a large sum,

Pending verification
mouth

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

From this reading to put her head into his mouth and draw out the bone. When the Crane had extracted the bone and demanded the promised payment,

Pending verification
no

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

From this reading In serving the wicked, expect no reward, and be thankful if you escape injury for your pains.

Pending verification
of

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

From this reading in having been permitted to draw out your head in safety from the mouth and jaws of a wolf.”

Pending verification
out

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

From this reading to put her head into his mouth and draw out the bone. When the Crane had extracted the bone and demanded the promised payment,

Pending verification
pains

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

From this reading In serving the wicked, expect no reward, and be thankful if you escape injury for your pains.

Pending verification
payment

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

From this reading to put her head into his mouth and draw out the bone. When the Crane had extracted the bone and demanded the promised payment,

Pending verification
permitted

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

From this reading in having been permitted to draw out your head in safety from the mouth and jaws of a wolf.”

Pending verification
promised

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

From this reading to put her head into his mouth and draw out the bone. When the Crane had extracted the bone and demanded the promised payment,

Pending verification
put

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

From this reading to put her head into his mouth and draw out the bone. When the Crane had extracted the bone and demanded the promised payment,

Pending verification
recompensenounUS /ˈrekəmpens/

something given as payment or reward for effort or loss

From this reading the Wolf, grinning and grinding his teeth, exclaimed: “Why, you have surely already had a sufficient recompense,

Velmora learner dictionary · Oxford-style editorial format
reward

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

From this reading In serving the wicked, expect no reward, and be thankful if you escape injury for your pains.

Pending verification
safety

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

From this reading in having been permitted to draw out your head in safety from the mouth and jaws of a wolf.”

Pending verification
serving

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

From this reading In serving the wicked, expect no reward, and be thankful if you escape injury for your pains.

Pending verification
stuck

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

From this reading A WOLF who had a bone stuck in his throat hired a Crane, for a large sum,

Pending verification
sufficient

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

From this reading the Wolf, grinning and grinding his teeth, exclaimed: “Why, you have surely already had a sufficient recompense,

Pending verification
sum

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

From this reading A WOLF who had a bone stuck in his throat hired a Crane, for a large sum,

Pending verification
surely

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

From this reading the Wolf, grinning and grinding his teeth, exclaimed: “Why, you have surely already had a sufficient recompense,

Pending verification
teeth

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

From this reading the Wolf, grinning and grinding his teeth, exclaimed: “Why, you have surely already had a sufficient recompense,

Pending verification
thankful

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

From this reading In serving the wicked, expect no reward, and be thankful if you escape injury for your pains.

Pending verification
the

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

From this reading to put her head into his mouth and draw out the bone. When the Crane had extracted the bone and demanded the promised payment,

Pending verification
throatnounUS /θroʊt/

The passage at the back of the mouth.

From this reading A WOLF who had a bone stuck in his throat hired a Crane, for a large sum,

Velmora curated lexicon
to

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

From this reading to put her head into his mouth and draw out the bone. When the Crane had extracted the bone and demanded the promised payment,

Pending verification
When

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

From this reading to put her head into his mouth and draw out the bone. When the Crane had extracted the bone and demanded the promised payment,

Pending verification
who

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

From this reading A WOLF who had a bone stuck in his throat hired a Crane, for a large sum,

Pending verification
Why

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

From this reading the Wolf, grinning and grinding his teeth, exclaimed: “Why, you have surely already had a sufficient recompense,

Pending verification
wickedadjectiveUS /ˈwɪkɪd/

morally bad and willing to harm others

From this reading In serving the wicked, expect no reward, and be thankful if you escape injury for your pains.

Velmora learner dictionary · Oxford-style editorial format
WOLF

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

From this reading A WOLF who had a bone stuck in his throat hired a Crane, for a large sum,

Pending verification
you

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

From this reading the Wolf, grinning and grinding his teeth, exclaimed: “Why, you have surely already had a sufficient recompense,

Pending verification
your

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

From this reading in having been permitted to draw out your head in safety from the mouth and jaws of a wolf.”

Pending verification

Shadowing Practice

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

Narrator: A WOLF who had a bone stuck in his throat hired a Crane, for a large sum,
Narrator: to put her head into his mouth and draw out the bone. When the Crane had extracted the bone and demanded the promised payment,
Narrator: the Wolf, grinning and grinding his teeth, exclaimed: “Why, you have surely already had a sufficient recompense,
Narrator: in having been permitted to draw out your head in safety from the mouth and jaws of a wolf.”
Narrator: In serving the wicked, expect no reward, and be thankful if you escape injury for your pains.