Chapter I · Chapter 1

having companions or an escort

From this reading And I shall indeed be content if its value to those who read it is proportionate to the pleasure and mental stimulus which has come to me in the work among pupils and teachers which accompanied its preparation.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading And I shall indeed be content if its value to those who read it is proportionate to the pleasure and mental stimulus which has come to me in the work among pupils and teachers which accompanied its preparation.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading I hope it will be found to contain some stories which are new to the teachers and friends of little children, and some which are familiar, but in an easier form for telling than is usual.

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

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

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

From this reading I hope it will be found to contain some stories which are new to the teachers and friends of little children, and some which are familiar, but in an easier form for telling than is usual.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading This little book came into being at the instance of my teaching friends.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading This little book came into being at the instance of my teaching friends.

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading This little book came into being at the instance of my teaching friends.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading I hope it will be found to contain some stories which are new to the teachers and friends of little children, and some which are familiar, but in an easier form for telling than is usual.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading This little book came into being at the instance of my teaching friends.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

several things grouped together or considered as a whole

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading And I shall indeed be content if its value to those who read it is proportionate to the pleasure and mental stimulus which has come to me in the work among pupils and teachers which accompanied its preparation.

include or contain; have as a component

From this reading I hope it will be found to contain some stories which are new to the teachers and friends of little children, and some which are familiar, but in an easier form for telling than is usual.

(usually plural) everything that is included in a collection and that is held or included in something

From this reading And I shall indeed be content if its value to those who read it is proportionate to the pleasure and mental stimulus which has come to me in the work among pupils and teachers which accompanied its preparation.

the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading That it may be, is the earnest desire with which it is offered.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions

From this reading That it may be, is the earnest desire with which it is offered.

comparative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading I hope it will be found to contain some stories which are new to the teachers and friends of little children, and some which are familiar, but in an easier form for telling than is usual.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

well known or easily recognized

From this reading I hope it will be found to contain some stories which are new to the teachers and friends of little children, and some which are familiar, but in an easier form for telling than is usual.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading I hope it will be found to contain some stories which are new to the teachers and friends of little children, and some which are familiar, but in an easier form for telling than is usual.

set up or found

From this reading I hope it will be found to contain some stories which are new to the teachers and friends of little children, and some which are familiar, but in an easier form for telling than is usual.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading This little book came into being at the instance of my teaching friends.

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading And I shall indeed be content if its value to those who read it is proportionate to the pleasure and mental stimulus which has come to me in the work among pupils and teachers which accompanied its preparation.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

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

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I hope it will be found to contain some stories which are new to the teachers and friends of little children, and some which are familiar, but in an easier form for telling than is usual.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading And I shall indeed be content if its value to those who read it is proportionate to the pleasure and mental stimulus which has come to me in the work among pupils and teachers which accompanied its preparation.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading And I shall indeed be content if its value to those who read it is proportionate to the pleasure and mental stimulus which has come to me in the work among pupils and teachers which accompanied its preparation.

an occurrence of something

From this reading This little book came into being at the instance of my teaching friends.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading This little book came into being at the instance of my teaching friends.

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

From this reading That it may be, is the earnest desire with which it is offered.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading That it may be, is the earnest desire with which it is offered.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading And I shall indeed be content if its value to those who read it is proportionate to the pleasure and mental stimulus which has come to me in the work among pupils and teachers which accompanied its preparation.

show to be right by providing justification or proof

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

found pleasant or attractive; often used as a combining form

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading This little book came into being at the instance of my teaching friends.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading That it may be, is the earnest desire with which it is offered.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading And I shall indeed be content if its value to those who read it is proportionate to the pleasure and mental stimulus which has come to me in the work among pupils and teachers which accompanied its preparation.

involving the mind or an intellectual process

From this reading And I shall indeed be content if its value to those who read it is proportionate to the pleasure and mental stimulus which has come to me in the work among pupils and teachers which accompanied its preparation.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading This little book came into being at the instance of my teaching friends.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading I hope it will be found to contain some stories which are new to the teachers and friends of little children, and some which are familiar, but in an easier form for telling than is usual.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading This little book came into being at the instance of my teaching friends.

past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading That it may be, is the earnest desire with which it is offered.

a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading And I shall indeed be content if its value to those who read it is proportionate to the pleasure and mental stimulus which has come to me in the work among pupils and teachers which accompanied its preparation.

the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose

From this reading And I shall indeed be content if its value to those who read it is proportionate to the pleasure and mental stimulus which has come to me in the work among pupils and teachers which accompanied its preparation.

the text appearing in a book, newspaper, or other printed publication

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

being in due proportion

From this reading And I shall indeed be content if its value to those who read it is proportionate to the pleasure and mental stimulus which has come to me in the work among pupils and teachers which accompanied its preparation.

plural of “pupil” — a learner who is enrolled in an educational institution

From this reading And I shall indeed be content if its value to those who read it is proportionate to the pleasure and mental stimulus which has come to me in the work among pupils and teachers which accompanied its preparation.

interpret something that is written or printed

From this reading And I shall indeed be content if its value to those who read it is proportionate to the pleasure and mental stimulus which has come to me in the work among pupils and teachers which accompanied its preparation.

plural of “request” — a formal message requesting something that is submitted to an authority

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading And I shall indeed be content if its value to those who read it is proportionate to the pleasure and mental stimulus which has come to me in the work among pupils and teachers which accompanied its preparation.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading I hope it will be found to contain some stories which are new to the teachers and friends of little children, and some which are familiar, but in an easier form for telling than is usual.

any stimulating information or event; acts to arouse action

From this reading And I shall indeed be content if its value to those who read it is proportionate to the pleasure and mental stimulus which has come to me in the work among pupils and teachers which accompanied its preparation.

plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

plural of “teacher” — a person whose occupation is teaching

From this reading I hope it will be found to contain some stories which are new to the teachers and friends of little children, and some which are familiar, but in an easier form for telling than is usual.

the profession of a teacher

From this reading This little book came into being at the instance of my teaching friends.

express in words

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

disclosing unintentionally something concealed

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading I hope it will be found to contain some stories which are new to the teachers and friends of little children, and some which are familiar, but in an easier form for telling than is usual.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

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

From this reading This little book came into being at the instance of my teaching friends.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This little book came into being at the instance of my teaching friends.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading And I shall indeed be content if its value to those who read it is proportionate to the pleasure and mental stimulus which has come to me in the work among pupils and teachers which accompanied its preparation.

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

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

being of use or service

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading I hope it will be found to contain some stories which are new to the teachers and friends of little children, and some which are familiar, but in an easier form for telling than is usual.

a numerical quantity measured or assigned or computed

From this reading And I shall indeed be content if its value to those who read it is proportionate to the pleasure and mental stimulus which has come to me in the work among pupils and teachers which accompanied its preparation.

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

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.

which person or people

From this reading And I shall indeed be content if its value to those who read it is proportionate to the pleasure and mental stimulus which has come to me in the work among pupils and teachers which accompanied its preparation.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading I hope it will be found to contain some stories which are new to the teachers and friends of little children, and some which are familiar, but in an easier form for telling than is usual.

in the company of; together with

From this reading That it may be, is the earnest desire with which it is offered.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading And I shall indeed be content if its value to those who read it is proportionate to the pleasure and mental stimulus which has come to me in the work among pupils and teachers which accompanied its preparation.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Their requests for more stories of the kind which were given in _How to Tell Stories to Children_, and especially their urging that the stories they liked, in my telling, should be set down in print, seemed to justify the hope that the collection would be genuinely useful to them.