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Tamba, the Tame Tiger: His Many Adventures
Tamba, the Tame Tiger: His Many Adventures

Chapter III

Chapter 3 of Tamba, the Tame Tiger: His Many Adventures is here in full — 119 sentences across 24 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Richard Barnum • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for Tamba, the Tame Tiger: His Many Adventures
Context Illustration Reading 1/23 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.
But, to the surprise of the tame tiger and his friends, it was not a new lion at all, but Nero himself.
There he was, looking almost the same as when he had disappeared the night of the big storm, the night when Tamba thought he could get away.
“Why, Nero!” exclaimed the tiger, as his friend’s new cage was wheeled in, “where in the world have you been?”
“Oh, almost everywhere, I guess,” answered Nero.
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.

Tamba, the Tame Tiger: His Many Adventures

Chapter III

Chapter 3 of Tamba, the Tame Tiger: His Many Adventures is here in full — 119 sentences across 24 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/23 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.
Line 2
But, to the surprise of the tame tiger and his friends, it was not a new lion at all, but Nero himself.
/bʌt tuː ðə sərˈpraɪz ʌv ðə teɪm ˈtaɪɡər ənd hɪz frendz ɪt wɑːz nɑːt ə nuː ˈlaɪən æt ɔːl bʌt ˈnɪroʊ hɪmˈself/
Line 3
There he was, looking almost the same as when he had disappeared the night of the big storm, the night when Tamba thought he could get away.
Line 4
“Why, Nero!” exclaimed the tiger, as his friend’s new cage was wheeled in, “where in the world have you been?”
/waɪ ˈnɪroʊ ɪkˈskleɪmd ðə ˈtaɪɡər æz hɪz frendz nuː keɪdʒ wɑːz wiːld ɪn wer ɪn ðə wɜːrld hæv juː bɪn/
Line 5
“Oh, almost everywhere, I guess,” answered Nero.
/oʊ ˈɔːlmoʊst ˈevriwer aɪ ɡes ˈænsərd ˈnɪroʊ/

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.

circus noun US /ˈsɜːrkəs/

a travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals

From this reading “TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
friend's noun US /frendz/

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

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lion's noun US /ˈlaɪənz/

possessive form of “lion” — large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Nero noun US /ˈnɪroʊ/

Roman Emperor notorious for his monstrous vice and fantastic luxury (was said to have started a fire that destroyed much of Rome in 64) but the Roman Empire remained prosperous during his rule (37-68)

From this reading “But, to the surprise of the tame tiger and his friends, it was not a new lion at all, but Nero himself.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
tame verb US /teɪm/

correct by punishment or discipline

From this reading “But, to the surprise of the tame tiger and his friends, it was not a new lion at all, but Nero himself.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
tawny adjective US /ˈtɑːni/

of a light brown to brownish orange color; the color of tanned leather

From this reading “TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
tiger noun US /ˈtaɪɡər/

a fierce or audacious person

From this reading “But, to the surprise of the tame tiger and his friends, it was not a new lion at all, but Nero himself.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wheeled adjective US /wiːld/

having wheels; often used in combination

From this reading “TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

at once preposition + adverb

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

In this reading “TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.”

257,448 times in 426,211 chapters
get away verb + particle

run away from confinement

In this reading “There he was, looking almost the same as when he had disappeared the night of the big storm, the night when Tamba thought he could get away.”

30,003 times in 426,211 chapters
in the world preposition + article + noun counted as “in … world”

In this reading ““Why, Nero!” exclaimed the tiger, as his friend’s new cage was wheeled in, “where in the world have you been?””

107,541 times in 426,211 chapters
in the cage preposition + article + noun counted as “in … cage”

In this reading “TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.”

2,544 times in 426,211 chapters

All words in this reading · 69

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.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading But, to the surprise of the tame tiger and his friends, it was not a new lion at all, but Nero himself.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading There he was, looking almost the same as when he had disappeared the night of the big storm, the night when Tamba thought he could get away.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
animalnounUS /ˈænəməl/

a living organism characterized by voluntary movement

From this reading TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
answeredverbUS /ˈænsərd/

past form of “answer” — react verbally

From this reading “Oh, almost everywhere, I guess,” answered Nero.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading There he was, looking almost the same as when he had disappeared the night of the big storm, the night when Tamba thought he could get away.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “Why, Nero!” exclaimed the tiger, as his friend’s new cage was wheeled in, “where in the world have you been?”

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But, to the surprise of the tame tiger and his friends, it was not a new lion at all, but Nero himself.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
cagenounUS /keɪdʒ/

an enclosure made or wire or metal bars in which birds or animals can be kept

From this reading TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
circusnounUS /ˈsɜːrkəs/

a travelling company of entertainers; including trained animals

From this reading TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading There he was, looking almost the same as when he had disappeared the night of the big storm, the night when Tamba thought he could get away.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
disappearedverbUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪrd/

past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation

From this reading There he was, looking almost the same as when he had disappeared the night of the big storm, the night when Tamba thought he could get away.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
everywhereadverbUS /ˈevriwer/

to or in any or all places

From this reading “Oh, almost everywhere, I guess,” answered Nero.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
exclaimedverbUS /ɪkˈskleɪmd/

past form of “exclaim” — utter aloud; often with surprise, horror, or joy

From this reading “Why, Nero!” exclaimed the tiger, as his friend’s new cage was wheeled in, “where in the world have you been?”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
friend'snounUS /frendz/

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

From this reading “Why, Nero!” exclaimed the tiger, as his friend’s new cage was wheeled in, “where in the world have you been?”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
friendsnounUS /frendz/

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

From this reading But, to the surprise of the tame tiger and his friends, it was not a new lion at all, but Nero himself.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
getverbUS /ɡet/

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading There he was, looking almost the same as when he had disappeared the night of the big storm, the night when Tamba thought he could get away.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
guessverbUS /ɡes/

expect, believe, or suppose

From this reading “Oh, almost everywhere, I guess,” answered Nero.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Why, Nero!” exclaimed the tiger, as his friend’s new cage was wheeled in, “where in the world have you been?”

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading There he was, looking almost the same as when he had disappeared the night of the big storm, the night when Tamba thought he could get away.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading But, to the surprise of the tame tiger and his friends, it was not a new lion at all, but Nero himself.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading But, to the surprise of the tame tiger and his friends, it was not a new lion at all, but Nero himself.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading “Oh, almost everywhere, I guess,” answered Nero.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But, to the surprise of the tame tiger and his friends, it was not a new lion at all, but Nero himself.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
JOKEnounUS /dʒoʊk/

a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter

From this reading TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
JustadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
knewverbUS /nuː/

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lionnounUS /ˈlaɪən/

large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male

From this reading TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lion'snounUS /ˈlaɪənz/

possessive form of “lion” — large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male

From this reading TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lookingnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading There he was, looking almost the same as when he had disappeared the night of the big storm, the night when Tamba thought he could get away.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
NeronounUS /ˈnɪroʊ/

Roman Emperor notorious for his monstrous vice and fantastic luxury (was said to have started a fire that destroyed much of Rome in 64) but the Roman Empire remained prosperous during his rule (37-68)

From this reading But, to the surprise of the tame tiger and his friends, it was not a new lion at all, but Nero himself.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
newadjectiveUS /nuː/

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

From this reading But, to the surprise of the tame tiger and his friends, it was not a new lion at all, but Nero himself.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nightnounUS /naɪt/

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading There he was, looking almost the same as when he had disappeared the night of the big storm, the night when Tamba thought he could get away.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But, to the surprise of the tame tiger and his friends, it was not a new lion at all, but Nero himself.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But, to the surprise of the tame tiger and his friends, it was not a new lion at all, but Nero himself.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
OhnounUS /oʊ/

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading “Oh, almost everywhere, I guess,” answered Nero.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
onceadverbUS /wʌns/

on one occasion

From this reading TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
PLAYSnounUS /pleɪz/

plural of “play” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

From this reading TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading There he was, looking almost the same as when he had disappeared the night of the big storm, the night when Tamba thought he could get away.

Velmora curated lexicon
stormverbUS /stɔːrm/

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading There he was, looking almost the same as when he had disappeared the night of the big storm, the night when Tamba thought he could get away.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
surprisenounUS /sərˈpraɪz/

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading But, to the surprise of the tame tiger and his friends, it was not a new lion at all, but Nero himself.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
TAMBA

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

From this reading TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.

Pending verification
tameverbUS /teɪm/

correct by punishment or discipline

From this reading But, to the surprise of the tame tiger and his friends, it was not a new lion at all, but Nero himself.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
tawnyadjectiveUS /ˈtɑːni/

of a light brown to brownish orange color; the color of tanned leather

From this reading TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
tentnounUS /tent/

a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)

From this reading TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ThereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading There he was, looking almost the same as when he had disappeared the night of the big storm, the night when Tamba thought he could get away.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading There he was, looking almost the same as when he had disappeared the night of the big storm, the night when Tamba thought he could get away.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
tigernounUS /ˈtaɪɡər/

a fierce or audacious person

From this reading But, to the surprise of the tame tiger and his friends, it was not a new lion at all, but Nero himself.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading But, to the surprise of the tame tiger and his friends, it was not a new lion at all, but Nero himself.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
Tumnoun

an enlarged and muscular saclike organ of the alimentary canal; the principal organ of digestion

From this reading TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
wheeledadjectiveUS /wiːld/

having wheels; often used in combination

From this reading TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading There he was, looking almost the same as when he had disappeared the night of the big storm, the night when Tamba thought he could get away.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading “Why, Nero!” exclaimed the tiger, as his friend’s new cage was wheeled in, “where in the world have you been?”

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
WhynounUS /waɪ/

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading “Why, Nero!” exclaimed the tiger, as his friend’s new cage was wheeled in, “where in the world have you been?”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
worldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading “Why, Nero!” exclaimed the tiger, as his friend’s new cage was wheeled in, “where in the world have you been?”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
yellowadjectiveUS /ˈjeloʊ/

of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk

From this reading TAMBA PLAYS A JOKE Just as Tum Tum had said, a lion’s cage was being wheeled into the circus animal tent, and in the cage was a big, tawny, yellow animal, which Tamba knew, at once, was a lion.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Why, Nero!” exclaimed the tiger, as his friend’s new cage was wheeled in, “where in the world have you been?”

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Chapter 3 of Tamba, the Tame Tiger: His Many Adventures by Richard Barnum holds 119 sentences, grouped into 24 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 3 of Tamba, the Tame Tiger: His Many Adventures contain?

Chapter 3 holds 119 sentences of Tamba, the Tame Tiger: His Many Adventures, unabridged, divided into 24 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 3 of Tamba, the Tame Tiger: His Many Adventures by Richard Barnum exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 119 sentences, grouped into 24 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 3 of Tamba, the Tame Tiger: His Many Adventures?

Work through the 24 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 24 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 3 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 3 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 Tamba, the Tame Tiger: His Many Adventures

Common questions about reading Tamba, the Tame Tiger: His Many Adventures by Richard Barnum on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Tamba, the Tame Tiger: His Many Adventures?

Yes. All 1677 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #62505 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Tamba, the Tame Tiger: His Many Adventures is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #62505, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Tamba, the Tame Tiger: His Many Adventures take to read?

About 139 minutes of reading across 336 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Tamba, the Tame Tiger: His Many Adventures section by section

How to work through Tamba, the Tame Tiger: His Many Adventures section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 12 chapters of Tamba, the Tame Tiger: His Many Adventures 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 Tamba, the Tame Tiger: His Many Adventures

Words and structures a reader meets early in Tamba, the Tame Tiger: His Many Adventures, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Tamba
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tamba, the Tame Tiger: His Many Adventures; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cross
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tamba, the Tame Tiger: His Many Adventures; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Again
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tamba, the Tame Tiger: His Many Adventures; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Scratch
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tamba, the Tame Tiger: His Many Adventures; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.