Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Poison Tree
The Poison Tree

Chapter XII · Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of The Poison Tree is here in full — 75 sentences across 15 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Poison Tree
Context Illustration Reading 1/15 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
HIRA.
On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."
This day Surja Mukhi was present.
She sent to call Kamal to hear the singing.
Kamal came, bringing Kunda Nandini with her.
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 Poison Tree

Chapter XII · Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of The Poison Tree is here in full — 75 sentences across 15 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/15 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
HIRA.
Line 2
On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."
Line 3
This day Surja Mukhi was present.
Line 4
She sent to call Kamal to hear the singing.
Line 5
Kamal came, bringing Kunda Nandini with her.

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.

bringing noun US /ˈbrɪŋɪŋ/

the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)

From this reading “Kamal came, bringing Kunda Nandini with her.”

entering noun US /ˈentərɪŋ/

a movement into or inward

From this reading “On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."”

flower noun US /ˈflaʊər/

a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading “On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."”

pluck verb US /plʌk/

pull or pull out sharply

From this reading “On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."”

sang noun US /sæŋ/

North American woodland herb similar to and used as substitute for the Chinese ginseng

From this reading “On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."”

soiled adjective US /sɔɪld/

soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime

From this reading “On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."”

thorny adjective US /ˈθɔːrni/

bristling with perplexities

From this reading “On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."”

twined verb US /twaɪnd/

past form of “twine” — spin, wind, or twist together

From this reading “On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."”

All words in this reading · 48

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 On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."

Boisnavi

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

From this reading On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."

bringingnounUS /ˈbrɪŋɪŋ/

the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)

From this reading Kamal came, bringing Kunda Nandini with her.

callverbUS /kɔːl/

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading She sent to call Kamal to hear the singing.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

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

From this reading Kamal came, bringing Kunda Nandini with her.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading This day Surja Mukhi was present.

earsnounUS /ɪrz/

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."

enteringnounUS /ˈentərɪŋ/

a movement into or inward

From this reading On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."

flowernounUS /ˈflaʊər/

a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."

forestnounUS /ˈfɔːrəst/

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."

friendnounUS /frend/

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."

FriendsnounUS /frendz/

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

From this reading On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."

Haridasi

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

From this reading On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."

headnounUS /hed/

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."

hearverbUS /hiːr/

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading She sent to call Kamal to hear the singing.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Kamal came, bringing Kunda Nandini with her.

HIRA

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

From this reading HIRA.

hungverbUS /hʌŋ/

inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging

From this reading On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."

Kamal

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

From this reading She sent to call Kamal to hear the singing.

Kunda

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

From this reading Kamal came, bringing Kunda Nandini with her.

Mukhi

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

From this reading This day Surja Mukhi was present.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."

Nandini

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

From this reading Kamal came, bringing Kunda Nandini with her.

occasionnounUS /əˈkeɪʒən/

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."

pluckverbUS /plʌk/

pull or pull out sharply

From this reading On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."

presentverbUS /ˈprezənt/

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading This day Surja Mukhi was present.

sangnounUS /sæŋ/

North American woodland herb similar to and used as substitute for the Chinese ginseng

From this reading On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."

sentnounUS /sent/

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading She sent to call Kamal to hear the singing.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She sent to call Kamal to hear the singing.

singingnounUS /ˈsɪŋɪŋ/

the act of singing vocal music

From this reading She sent to call Kamal to hear the singing.

soiledadjectiveUS /sɔɪld/

soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime

From this reading On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."

Surja

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

From this reading This day Surja Mukhi was present.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."

thornyadjectiveUS /ˈθɔːrni/

bristling with perplexities

From this reading On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."

twinedverbUS /twaɪnd/

past form of “twine” — spin, wind, or twist together

From this reading On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading This day Surja Mukhi was present.

wentverbUS /went/

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

From this reading On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Kamal came, bringing Kunda Nandini with her.

woreverbUS /wɔːr/

inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in

From this reading On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."

YesnounUS /jes/

an affirmative

From this reading On this occasion, Haridasi _Boisnavi_ entering, sang-- "I went into the thorny forest to pluck a soiled flower-- Yes, my friend, a soiled flower; I wore it twined about my head, I hung it in my ears-- Friends, a soiled flower."

Chapter 12 of The Poison Tree by Bankimacandra Cattopadhyaya holds 75 sentences, grouped into 15 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 12 of The Poison Tree contain?

Chapter 12 holds 75 sentences of The Poison Tree, unabridged, divided into 15 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 12 of The Poison Tree by Bankimacandra Cattopadhyaya exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 75 sentences, grouped into 15 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 12 of The Poison Tree?

Work through the 15 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 15 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 12 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 12 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 Poison Tree

Common questions about reading The Poison Tree by Bankimacandra Cattopadhyaya on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Poison Tree?

Yes. All 3130 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #17455 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Poison Tree is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #17455, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Poison Tree take to read?

About 260 minutes of reading across 626 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Poison Tree section by section

How to work through The Poison Tree section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 39 chapters of The Poison Tree 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 Poison Tree

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Poison Tree, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Nagendra's
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Poison Tree; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Journey
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Poison Tree; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Nagendra
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Poison Tree; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Natha
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Poison Tree; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.