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The Whale and the Grasshopper, and Other Fables
The Whale and the Grasshopper, and Other Fables

Chapter V

Chapter 5 of The Whale and the Grasshopper, and Other Fables is here in full — 414 sentences across 83 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Whale and the Grasshopper, and Other Fables
Context Illustration Reading 1/82 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"'Thanks for your kind offer,' ses Shauno.
'But I am cured now.
I have made up my mind to go home and live in peace, and remain a bachelor for the remainder of my days.'
"'Oh,' ses the Shah, 'I think you should at least take one, and she will help to remind you of your visit to the Shah of Sperrispazuka.'
"''Tis only too well that I know that, but I have seen all I ever want to see of women,' ses Shauno.
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 Whale and the Grasshopper, and Other Fables

Chapter V

Chapter 5 of The Whale and the Grasshopper, and Other Fables is here in full — 414 sentences across 83 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/82 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"'Thanks for your kind offer,' ses Shauno.
Line 2
'But I am cured now.
/bʌt aɪ æm kjʊrd naʊ/
Line 3
I have made up my mind to go home and live in peace, and remain a bachelor for the remainder of my days.'
/aɪ hæv meɪd ʌp maɪ maɪnd tuː ɡoʊ hoʊm ənd laɪv ɪn piːs ənd rɪˈmeɪn ə ˈbætʃələr fɔːr ðə rɪˈmeɪndər ʌv maɪ deɪz/
Line 4
"'Oh,' ses the Shah, 'I think you should at least take one, and she will help to remind you of your visit to the Shah of Sperrispazuka.'
Line 5
"''Tis only too well that I know that, but I have seen all I ever want to see of women,' ses Shauno.

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.

bachelor noun US /ˈbætʃələr/

a man who has never been married

From this reading “I have made up my mind to go home and live in peace, and remain a bachelor for the remainder of my days.'”

cured adjective US /kjʊrd/

freed from illness or injury

From this reading “'But I am cured now.”

offer verb US /ˈɔːfər/

make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading “"'Thanks for your kind offer,' ses Shauno.”

remainder noun US /rɪˈmeɪndər/

something left after other parts have been taken away

From this reading “I have made up my mind to go home and live in peace, and remain a bachelor for the remainder of my days.'”

remind verb US /riˈmaɪnd/

put in the mind of someone

From this reading “"'Oh,' ses the Shah, 'I think you should at least take one, and she will help to remind you of your visit to the Shah of Sperrispazuka.'”

Shah noun US /ʃɑː/

title for the former hereditary monarch of Iran

From this reading “"'Oh,' ses the Shah, 'I think you should at least take one, and she will help to remind you of your visit to the Shah of Sperrispazuka.'”

Thanks noun US /θæŋks/

an acknowledgment of appreciation

From this reading “"'Thanks for your kind offer,' ses Shauno.”

Tis noun US /tɪz/

plural of “ti” — a light strong grey lustrous corrosion-resistant metallic element used in strong lightweight alloys (as for airplane parts); the main sources are rutile and ilmenite

From this reading “"''Tis only too well that I know that, but I have seen all I ever want to see of women,' ses Shauno.”

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.

go home verb + noun

return home

In this reading “I have made up my mind to go home and live in peace, and remain a bachelor for the remainder of my days.'”

for the remainder preposition + article + noun counted as “for … remainder”

In this reading “I have made up my mind to go home and live in peace, and remain a bachelor for the remainder of my days.'”

live in verb + particle

live in the house where one works

In this reading “I have made up my mind to go home and live in peace, and remain a bachelor for the remainder of my days.'”

in peace preposition + noun

In this reading “I have made up my mind to go home and live in peace, and remain a bachelor for the remainder of my days.'”

All words in this reading · 58

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 I have made up my mind to go home and live in peace, and remain a bachelor for the remainder of my days.'

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 "''Tis only too well that I know that, but I have seen all I ever want to see of women,' ses Shauno.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading 'But I am cured now.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading I have made up my mind to go home and live in peace, and remain a bachelor for the remainder of my days.'

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading "'Oh,' ses the Shah, 'I think you should at least take one, and she will help to remind you of your visit to the Shah of Sperrispazuka.'

bachelornounUS /ˈbætʃələr/

a man who has never been married

From this reading I have made up my mind to go home and live in peace, and remain a bachelor for the remainder of my days.'

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading 'But I am cured now.

curedadjectiveUS /kjʊrd/

freed from illness or injury

From this reading 'But I am cured now.

daysnounUS /deɪz/

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading I have made up my mind to go home and live in peace, and remain a bachelor for the remainder of my days.'

everadverbUS /ˈevər/

at any time

From this reading "''Tis only too well that I know that, but I have seen all I ever want to see of women,' ses Shauno.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "'Thanks for your kind offer,' ses Shauno.

goverbUS /ɡoʊ/

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading I have made up my mind to go home and live in peace, and remain a bachelor for the remainder of my days.'

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading I have made up my mind to go home and live in peace, and remain a bachelor for the remainder of my days.'

helpverbUS /help/

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading "'Oh,' ses the Shah, 'I think you should at least take one, and she will help to remind you of your visit to the Shah of Sperrispazuka.'

homenounUS /hoʊm/

where you live at a particular time

From this reading I have made up my mind to go home and live in peace, and remain a bachelor for the remainder of my days.'

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading 'But I am cured now.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading I have made up my mind to go home and live in peace, and remain a bachelor for the remainder of my days.'

kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/

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

From this reading "'Thanks for your kind offer,' ses Shauno.

knowverbUS /noʊ/

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

From this reading "''Tis only too well that I know that, but I have seen all I ever want to see of women,' ses Shauno.

leastadjectiveUS /liːst/

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading "'Oh,' ses the Shah, 'I think you should at least take one, and she will help to remind you of your visit to the Shah of Sperrispazuka.'

liveverbUS /laɪv/

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading I have made up my mind to go home and live in peace, and remain a bachelor for the remainder of my days.'

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading I have made up my mind to go home and live in peace, and remain a bachelor for the remainder of my days.'

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading I have made up my mind to go home and live in peace, and remain a bachelor for the remainder of my days.'

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading I have made up my mind to go home and live in peace, and remain a bachelor for the remainder of my days.'

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading 'But I am cured now.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading I have made up my mind to go home and live in peace, and remain a bachelor for the remainder of my days.'

offerverbUS /ˈɔːfər/

make available or accessible, provide or furnish

From this reading "'Thanks for your kind offer,' ses Shauno.

OhnounUS /oʊ/

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

From this reading "'Oh,' ses the Shah, 'I think you should at least take one, and she will help to remind you of your visit to the Shah of Sperrispazuka.'

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading "'Oh,' ses the Shah, 'I think you should at least take one, and she will help to remind you of your visit to the Shah of Sperrispazuka.'

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading "''Tis only too well that I know that, but I have seen all I ever want to see of women,' ses Shauno.

peacenounUS /piːs/

the state prevailing during the absence of war

From this reading I have made up my mind to go home and live in peace, and remain a bachelor for the remainder of my days.'

remainverbUS /rɪˈmeɪn/

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading I have made up my mind to go home and live in peace, and remain a bachelor for the remainder of my days.'

remaindernounUS /rɪˈmeɪndər/

something left after other parts have been taken away

From this reading I have made up my mind to go home and live in peace, and remain a bachelor for the remainder of my days.'

remindverbUS /riˈmaɪnd/

put in the mind of someone

From this reading "'Oh,' ses the Shah, 'I think you should at least take one, and she will help to remind you of your visit to the Shah of Sperrispazuka.'

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading "''Tis only too well that I know that, but I have seen all I ever want to see of women,' ses Shauno.

seenverbUS /siːn/

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading "''Tis only too well that I know that, but I have seen all I ever want to see of women,' ses Shauno.

ses

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

From this reading "'Thanks for your kind offer,' ses Shauno.

ShahnounUS /ʃɑː/

title for the former hereditary monarch of Iran

From this reading "'Oh,' ses the Shah, 'I think you should at least take one, and she will help to remind you of your visit to the Shah of Sperrispazuka.'

Shauno

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

From this reading "'Thanks for your kind offer,' ses Shauno.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading "'Oh,' ses the Shah, 'I think you should at least take one, and she will help to remind you of your visit to the Shah of Sperrispazuka.'

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading "'Oh,' ses the Shah, 'I think you should at least take one, and she will help to remind you of your visit to the Shah of Sperrispazuka.'

Sperrispazuka

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

From this reading "'Oh,' ses the Shah, 'I think you should at least take one, and she will help to remind you of your visit to the Shah of Sperrispazuka.'

takeverbUS /teɪk/

carry out

From this reading "'Oh,' ses the Shah, 'I think you should at least take one, and she will help to remind you of your visit to the Shah of Sperrispazuka.'

ThanksnounUS /θæŋks/

an acknowledgment of appreciation

From this reading "'Thanks for your kind offer,' ses Shauno.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "''Tis only too well that I know that, but I have seen all I ever want to see of women,' ses Shauno.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading I have made up my mind to go home and live in peace, and remain a bachelor for the remainder of my days.'

thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading "'Oh,' ses the Shah, 'I think you should at least take one, and she will help to remind you of your visit to the Shah of Sperrispazuka.'

TisnounUS /tɪz/

plural of “ti” — a light strong grey lustrous corrosion-resistant metallic element used in strong lightweight alloys (as for airplane parts); the main sources are rutile and ilmenite

From this reading "''Tis only too well that I know that, but I have seen all I ever want to see of women,' ses Shauno.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading I have made up my mind to go home and live in peace, and remain a bachelor for the remainder of my days.'

tooadverbUS /tuː/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading "''Tis only too well that I know that, but I have seen all I ever want to see of women,' ses Shauno.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading I have made up my mind to go home and live in peace, and remain a bachelor for the remainder of my days.'

visitverbUS /ˈvɪzɪt/

go to see a place, as for entertainment

From this reading "'Oh,' ses the Shah, 'I think you should at least take one, and she will help to remind you of your visit to the Shah of Sperrispazuka.'

wantverbUS /wɑːnt/

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading "''Tis only too well that I know that, but I have seen all I ever want to see of women,' ses Shauno.

welladverbUS /wel/

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading "''Tis only too well that I know that, but I have seen all I ever want to see of women,' ses Shauno.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "'Oh,' ses the Shah, 'I think you should at least take one, and she will help to remind you of your visit to the Shah of Sperrispazuka.'

womennounUS /ˈwɪmən/

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading "''Tis only too well that I know that, but I have seen all I ever want to see of women,' ses Shauno.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "'Oh,' ses the Shah, 'I think you should at least take one, and she will help to remind you of your visit to the Shah of Sperrispazuka.'

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "'Thanks for your kind offer,' ses Shauno.

Chapter 5 of The Whale and the Grasshopper, and Other Fables by Seumas O'Brien holds 414 sentences, grouped into 83 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 5 of The Whale and the Grasshopper, and Other Fables contain?

Chapter 5 holds 414 sentences of The Whale and the Grasshopper, and Other Fables, unabridged, divided into 83 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 5 of The Whale and the Grasshopper, and Other Fables by Seumas O'Brien exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 414 sentences, grouped into 83 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 5 of The Whale and the Grasshopper, and Other Fables?

Work through the 83 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 83 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 5 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 5 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 Whale and the Grasshopper, and Other Fables

Common questions about reading The Whale and the Grasshopper, and Other Fables by Seumas O'Brien on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Whale and the Grasshopper, and Other Fables?

Yes. All 2510 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #37301 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Whale and the Grasshopper, and Other Fables is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #37301, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Whale and the Grasshopper, and Other Fables take to read?

About 209 minutes of reading across 502 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Whale and the Grasshopper, and Other Fables section by section

How to work through The Whale and the Grasshopper, and Other Fables section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 6 chapters of The Whale and the Grasshopper, and Other Fables 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 Whale and the Grasshopper, and Other Fables

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Whale and the Grasshopper, and Other Fables, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Frontispiece
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Whale and the Grasshopper, and Other Fables; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Robert
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Whale and the Grasshopper, and Other Fables; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Mccaig
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Whale and the Grasshopper, and Other Fables; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Whale
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Whale and the Grasshopper, and Other Fables; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.