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The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said
The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said is here in full — 402 sentences across 81 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Padraic Colum • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said
Context Illustration Reading 1/80 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said THE MACMILLAN CO.
OF CANADA, LTD.
The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said For The Boy In The Brocken How he came to know what the birds said 13 The Stone of Victory.
And how Feet-in-the-Ashes, the Swineherd's Son, came to find it 21 The King of the Birds 51 Bloom-of-Youth and the Witch of the Elders 67 The Hen-wife's Son and the Princess Bright Brow 85 The Giant and the Birds 113 The Sea-Maiden who became a Sea-Swan 133
What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61
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 Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said is here in full — 402 sentences across 81 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/80 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said THE MACMILLAN CO.
Line 2
OF CANADA, LTD.
Line 3
The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said For The Boy In The Brocken How he came to know what the birds said 13 The Stone of Victory.
Line 4
And how Feet-in-the-Ashes, the Swineherd's Son, came to find it 21 The King of the Birds 51 Bloom-of-Youth and the Witch of the Elders 67 The Hen-wife's Son and the Princess Bright Brow 85 The Giant and the Birds 113 The Sea-Maiden who became a Sea-Swan 133
Line 5
What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

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.

canada noun US /ˈkænədə/

a nation in northern North America; the French were the first Europeans to settle in mainland Canada

From this reading “OF CANADA, LTD.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Crow verb US /kroʊ/

dwell on with satisfaction

From this reading “What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Eagle noun US /ˈiːɡəl/

any of various large keen-sighted diurnal birds of prey noted for their broad wings and strong soaring flight

From this reading “What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Elders noun US /ˈeldərz/

plural of “elder” — a person who is older than you are

From this reading “And how Feet-in-the-Ashes, the Swineherd's Son, came to find it 21 The King of the Birds 51 Bloom-of-Youth and the Witch of the Elders 67 The Hen-wife's Son and the Princess Bright Brow 85 The Giant and the Birds 113 The Sea-Maiden who became a Sea-Swan 133”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Illustrations noun US /ˌɪləˈstreɪʃənz/

plural of “illustration” — artwork that helps make something clear or attractive

From this reading “What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Peacock noun US /ˈpiːkɑːk/

European butterfly having reddish-brown wings each marked with a purple eyespot

From this reading “What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wearing noun US /ˈwerɪŋ/

(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)

From this reading “What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Witch noun US /wɪtʃ/

a female sorcerer or magician

From this reading “And how Feet-in-the-Ashes, the Swineherd's Son, came to find it 21 The King of the Birds 51 Bloom-of-Youth and the Witch of the Elders 67 The Hen-wife's Son and the Princess Bright Brow 85 The Giant and the Birds 113 The Sea-Maiden who became a Sea-Swan 133”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

All words in this reading · 83

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.

113

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

From this reading And how Feet-in-the-Ashes, the Swineherd's Son, came to find it 21 The King of the Birds 51 Bloom-of-Youth and the Witch of the Elders 67 The Hen-wife's Son and the Princess Bright Brow 85 The Giant and the Birds 113 The Sea-Maiden who became a Sea-Swan 133

Pending verification
13

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

From this reading The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said For The Boy In The Brocken How he came to know what the birds said 13 The Stone of Victory.

Pending verification
133

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

From this reading And how Feet-in-the-Ashes, the Swineherd's Son, came to find it 21 The King of the Birds 51 Bloom-of-Youth and the Witch of the Elders 67 The Hen-wife's Son and the Princess Bright Brow 85 The Giant and the Birds 113 The Sea-Maiden who became a Sea-Swan 133

Pending verification
149

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

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

Pending verification
163

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

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

Pending verification
21

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

From this reading And how Feet-in-the-Ashes, the Swineherd's Son, came to find it 21 The King of the Birds 51 Bloom-of-Youth and the Witch of the Elders 67 The Hen-wife's Son and the Princess Bright Brow 85 The Giant and the Birds 113 The Sea-Maiden who became a Sea-Swan 133

Pending verification
51

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

From this reading And how Feet-in-the-Ashes, the Swineherd's Son, came to find it 21 The King of the Birds 51 Bloom-of-Youth and the Witch of the Elders 67 The Hen-wife's Son and the Princess Bright Brow 85 The Giant and the Birds 113 The Sea-Maiden who became a Sea-Swan 133

Pending verification
61

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

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

Pending verification
67

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

From this reading And how Feet-in-the-Ashes, the Swineherd's Son, came to find it 21 The King of the Birds 51 Bloom-of-Youth and the Witch of the Elders 67 The Hen-wife's Son and the Princess Bright Brow 85 The Giant and the Birds 113 The Sea-Maiden who became a Sea-Swan 133

Pending verification
85

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

From this reading And how Feet-in-the-Ashes, the Swineherd's Son, came to find it 21 The King of the Birds 51 Bloom-of-Youth and the Witch of the Elders 67 The Hen-wife's Son and the Princess Bright Brow 85 The Giant and the Birds 113 The Sea-Maiden who became a Sea-Swan 133

Pending verification
adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading And how Feet-in-the-Ashes, the Swineherd's Son, came to find it 21 The King of the Birds 51 Bloom-of-Youth and the Witch of the Elders 67 The Hen-wife's Son and the Princess Bright Brow 85 The Giant and the Birds 113 The Sea-Maiden who became a Sea-Swan 133

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading And how Feet-in-the-Ashes, the Swineherd's Son, came to find it 21 The King of the Birds 51 Bloom-of-Youth and the Witch of the Elders 67 The Hen-wife's Son and the Princess Bright Brow 85 The Giant and the Birds 113 The Sea-Maiden who became a Sea-Swan 133

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
becameverbUS /bɪˈkeɪm/

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading And how Feet-in-the-Ashes, the Swineherd's Son, came to find it 21 The King of the Birds 51 Bloom-of-Youth and the Witch of the Elders 67 The Hen-wife's Son and the Princess Bright Brow 85 The Giant and the Birds 113 The Sea-Maiden who became a Sea-Swan 133

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
birdnounUS /bɜːrd/

warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
BirdsnounUS /bɜːrdz/

plural of “bird” — warm-blooded egg-laying vertebrates characterized by feathers and forelimbs modified as wings

From this reading The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said THE MACMILLAN CO.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Bloom-of-Youth

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

From this reading And how Feet-in-the-Ashes, the Swineherd's Son, came to find it 21 The King of the Birds 51 Bloom-of-Youth and the Witch of the Elders 67 The Hen-wife's Son and the Princess Bright Brow 85 The Giant and the Birds 113 The Sea-Maiden who became a Sea-Swan 133

Pending verification
BoynounUS /bɔɪ/

a youthful male person

From this reading The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said THE MACMILLAN CO.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
BrightadjectiveUS /braɪt/

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading And how Feet-in-the-Ashes, the Swineherd's Son, came to find it 21 The King of the Birds 51 Bloom-of-Youth and the Witch of the Elders 67 The Hen-wife's Son and the Princess Bright Brow 85 The Giant and the Birds 113 The Sea-Maiden who became a Sea-Swan 133

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Brocken

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

From this reading The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said For The Boy In The Brocken How he came to know what the birds said 13 The Stone of Victory.

Pending verification
BrownounUS /braʊ/

the part of the face above the eyes

From this reading And how Feet-in-the-Ashes, the Swineherd's Son, came to find it 21 The King of the Birds 51 Bloom-of-Youth and the Witch of the Elders 67 The Hen-wife's Son and the Princess Bright Brow 85 The Giant and the Birds 113 The Sea-Maiden who became a Sea-Swan 133

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
cameverbUS /keɪm/

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

From this reading The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said For The Boy In The Brocken How he came to know what the birds said 13 The Stone of Victory.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
CANADAnounUS /ˈkænədə/

a nation in northern North America; the French were the first Europeans to settle in mainland Canada

From this reading OF CANADA, LTD.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
CastlenounUS /ˈkæsəl/

a large and stately mansion

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
COnounUS /koʊ/

an odorless very poisonous gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon

From this reading The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said THE MACMILLAN CO.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
CrowverbUS /kroʊ/

dwell on with satisfaction

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
EachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
EaglenounUS /ˈiːɡəl/

any of various large keen-sighted diurnal birds of prey noted for their broad wings and strong soaring flight

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
EldersnounUS /ˈeldərz/

plural of “elder” — a person who is older than you are

From this reading And how Feet-in-the-Ashes, the Swineherd's Son, came to find it 21 The King of the Birds 51 Bloom-of-Youth and the Witch of the Elders 67 The Hen-wife's Son and the Princess Bright Brow 85 The Giant and the Birds 113 The Sea-Maiden who became a Sea-Swan 133

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
everadverbUS /ˈevər/

at any time

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Feet-in-the-Ashes

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

From this reading And how Feet-in-the-Ashes, the Swineherd's Son, came to find it 21 The King of the Birds 51 Bloom-of-Youth and the Witch of the Elders 67 The Hen-wife's Son and the Princess Bright Brow 85 The Giant and the Birds 113 The Sea-Maiden who became a Sea-Swan 133

Pending verification
findverbUS /faɪnd/

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading And how Feet-in-the-Ashes, the Swineherd's Son, came to find it 21 The King of the Birds 51 Bloom-of-Youth and the Witch of the Elders 67 The Hen-wife's Son and the Princess Bright Brow 85 The Giant and the Birds 113 The Sea-Maiden who became a Sea-Swan 133

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
flightnounUS /flaɪt/

a formation of aircraft in flight

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said For The Boy In The Brocken How he came to know what the birds said 13 The Stone of Victory.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
Frontispiecenoun

an ornamental facade

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
FulladjectiveUS /fʊl/

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
GiantnounUS /ˈdʒaɪənt/

any creature of exceptional size

From this reading And how Feet-in-the-Ashes, the Swineherd's Son, came to find it 21 The King of the Birds 51 Bloom-of-Youth and the Witch of the Elders 67 The Hen-wife's Son and the Princess Bright Brow 85 The Giant and the Birds 113 The Sea-Maiden who became a Sea-Swan 133

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said For The Boy In The Brocken How he came to know what the birds said 13 The Stone of Victory.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
Hen-wife's

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

From this reading And how Feet-in-the-Ashes, the Swineherd's Son, came to find it 21 The King of the Birds 51 Bloom-of-Youth and the Witch of the Elders 67 The Hen-wife's Son and the Princess Bright Brow 85 The Giant and the Birds 113 The Sea-Maiden who became a Sea-Swan 133

Pending verification
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
How

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

From this reading The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said For The Boy In The Brocken How he came to know what the birds said 13 The Stone of Victory.

Pending verification
IllustrationsnounUS /ˌɪləˈstreɪʃənz/

plural of “illustration” — artwork that helps make something clear or attractive

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said For The Boy In The Brocken How he came to know what the birds said 13 The Stone of Victory.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading And how Feet-in-the-Ashes, the Swineherd's Son, came to find it 21 The King of the Birds 51 Bloom-of-Youth and the Witch of the Elders 67 The Hen-wife's Son and the Princess Bright Brow 85 The Giant and the Birds 113 The Sea-Maiden who became a Sea-Swan 133

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
KingnounUS /kɪŋ/

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading And how Feet-in-the-Ashes, the Swineherd's Son, came to find it 21 The King of the Birds 51 Bloom-of-Youth and the Witch of the Elders 67 The Hen-wife's Son and the Princess Bright Brow 85 The Giant and the Birds 113 The Sea-Maiden who became a Sea-Swan 133

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 The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said THE MACMILLAN CO.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
knowverbUS /noʊ/

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said For The Boy In The Brocken How he came to know what the birds said 13 The Stone of Victory.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Labraid

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

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

Pending verification
ListverbUS /lɪst/

give or make a list of; name individually; give the names of

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Lorc

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

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

Pending verification
LTD

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

From this reading OF CANADA, LTD.

Pending verification
MACMILLAN

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

From this reading The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said THE MACMILLAN CO.

Pending verification
minepronounUS /maɪn/

the one or ones belonging to the person speaking

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading OF CANADA, LTD.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
OtheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
out-soar

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

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

Pending verification
PagenounUS /peɪdʒ/

one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
PeacocknounUS /ˈpiːkɑːk/

European butterfly having reddish-brown wings each marked with a purple eyespot

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
PrincessnounUS /ˈprɪn.ses/

The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.

From this reading And how Feet-in-the-Ashes, the Swineherd's Son, came to find it 21 The King of the Birds 51 Bloom-of-Youth and the Witch of the Elders 67 The Hen-wife's Son and the Princess Bright Brow 85 The Giant and the Birds 113 The Sea-Maiden who became a Sea-Swan 133

Velmora curated lexicon
RoundnounUS /raʊnd/

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SaidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said THE MACMILLAN CO.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Sea-Maiden

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

From this reading And how Feet-in-the-Ashes, the Swineherd's Son, came to find it 21 The King of the Birds 51 Bloom-of-Youth and the Witch of the Elders 67 The Hen-wife's Son and the Princess Bright Brow 85 The Giant and the Birds 113 The Sea-Maiden who became a Sea-Swan 133

Pending verification
Sea-Swan

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

From this reading And how Feet-in-the-Ashes, the Swineherd's Son, came to find it 21 The King of the Birds 51 Bloom-of-Youth and the Witch of the Elders 67 The Hen-wife's Son and the Princess Bright Brow 85 The Giant and the Birds 113 The Sea-Maiden who became a Sea-Swan 133

Pending verification
SonnounUS /sʌn/

a male human offspring

From this reading And how Feet-in-the-Ashes, the Swineherd's Son, came to find it 21 The King of the Birds 51 Bloom-of-Youth and the Witch of the Elders 67 The Hen-wife's Son and the Princess Bright Brow 85 The Giant and the Birds 113 The Sea-Maiden who became a Sea-Swan 133

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
StonenounUS /stoʊn/

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said For The Boy In The Brocken How he came to know what the birds said 13 The Stone of Victory.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
strengthnounUS /streŋkθ/

the property of being physically or mentally strong

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Swineherd's

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

From this reading And how Feet-in-the-Ashes, the Swineherd's Son, came to find it 21 The King of the Birds 51 Bloom-of-Youth and the Witch of the Elders 67 The Hen-wife's Son and the Princess Bright Brow 85 The Giant and the Birds 113 The Sea-Maiden who became a Sea-Swan 133

Pending verification
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said THE MACMILLAN CO.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said For The Boy In The Brocken How he came to know what the birds said 13 The Stone of Victory.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ToldverbUS /toʊld/

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
TreasurenounUS /ˈtreʒər/

accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
VictorynounUS /ˈvɪktəri/

a successful ending of a struggle or contest

From this reading The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said For The Boy In The Brocken How he came to know what the birds said 13 The Stone of Victory.

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 What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
wearingnounUS /ˈwerɪŋ/

(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wentverbUS /went/

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said THE MACMILLAN CO.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
WhopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said THE MACMILLAN CO.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
WitchnounUS /wɪtʃ/

a female sorcerer or magician

From this reading And how Feet-in-the-Ashes, the Swineherd's Son, came to find it 21 The King of the Birds 51 Bloom-of-Youth and the Witch of the Elders 67 The Hen-wife's Son and the Princess Bright Brow 85 The Giant and the Birds 113 The Sea-Maiden who became a Sea-Swan 133

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading What the Peacock and the Crow Told Each Other 149 The Treasure of King Labraid Lorc 163 List of Full Page Illustrations _Frontispiece_ Round and Round the Castle they went, and the Giant with his strength was wearing out Feet-in-the-Ashes PAGE "No bird will ever out-soar this flight of mine," said the Eagle 61

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Chapter 1 of The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said by Padraic Colum holds 402 sentences, grouped into 81 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 1 of The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said contain?

Chapter 1 holds 402 sentences of The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said, unabridged, divided into 81 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said by Padraic Colum exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 402 sentences, grouped into 81 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 1 of The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said?

Work through the 81 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 81 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 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 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 The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said

Common questions about reading The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said by Padraic Colum on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said?

Yes. All 1229 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #24493 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #24493, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said take to read?

About 102 minutes of reading across 246 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said section by section

How to work through The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 3 chapters of The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said 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 The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Birds
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Macmillan
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Canada
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Brocken
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Boy Who Knew What the Birds Said; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.