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Tum Tum, the Jolly Elephant
Tum Tum, the Jolly Elephant

Chapter XII · Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of Tum Tum, the Jolly Elephant is here in full — 152 sentences across 31 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Tum Tum, the Jolly Elephant
Context Illustration Reading 1/30 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.
Besides, the tiger moved so swiftly, that hardly any one could have stopped him.
"Come back here!
Come back!" cried Tum Tum, when he saw Sharp Tooth running out of the tent.
"Indeed I will not!
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Tum Tum, the Jolly Elephant

Chapter XII · Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of Tum Tum, the Jolly Elephant is here in full — 152 sentences across 31 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/30 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.
Line 2
Besides, the tiger moved so swiftly, that hardly any one could have stopped him.
/bɪˈsaɪdz ðə ˈtaɪɡər muːvd soʊ ˈswɪftli ðæt ˈhɑːrdli ˈeni wʌn kʊd hæv stɑːpt hɪm/
Line 3
"Come back here!
/kʌm bæk hiːr/
Line 4
Come back!" cried Tum Tum, when he saw Sharp Tooth running out of the tent.
Line 5
"Indeed I will not!
/ˌɪnˈdiːd aɪ wɪl nɑːt/

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.

brave adjective US /breɪv/

possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching

From this reading “TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.”

cage noun US /keɪdʒ/

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

From this reading “TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.”

deed noun US /diːd/

a legal document signed and sealed and delivered to effect a transfer of property and to show the legal right to possess it

From this reading “TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.”

elephant noun US /ˈeləfənt/

five-toed pachyderm

From this reading “TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.”

swiftly adverb US /ˈswɪftli/

in a swift manner

From this reading “Besides, the tiger moved so swiftly, that hardly any one could have stopped him.”

tent noun US /tent/

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

From this reading “Come back!" cried Tum Tum, when he saw Sharp Tooth running out of the tent.”

tiger noun US /ˈtaɪɡər/

a fierce or audacious person

From this reading “TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.”

Tooth noun US /tuːθ/

hard bonelike structures in the jaws of vertebrates; used for biting and chewing or for attack and defense

From this reading “TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.”

All words in this reading · 52

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.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Besides, the tiger moved so swiftly, that hardly any one could have stopped him.

backadverbUS /bæk/

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading "Come back here!

BesidesprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪdz/

in addition to; as well as

From this reading Besides, the tiger moved so swiftly, that hardly any one could have stopped him.

bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/

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

From this reading TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.

BRAVEadjectiveUS /breɪv/

possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching

From this reading TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.

cagenounUS /keɪdʒ/

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

From this reading TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.

ComeverbUS /kʌm/

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

From this reading "Come back here!

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading Besides, the tiger moved so swiftly, that hardly any one could have stopped him.

criedverbUS /kraɪd/

inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading Come back!" cried Tum Tum, when he saw Sharp Tooth running out of the tent.

DEEDnounUS /diːd/

a legal document signed and sealed and delivered to effect a transfer of property and to show the legal right to possess it

From this reading TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.

elephantnounUS /ˈeləfənt/

five-toed pachyderm

From this reading TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.

enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.

frontnounUS /frʌnt/

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.

getverbUS /ɡet/

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.

gettingnounUS /ˈɡetɪŋ/

the act of acquiring something

From this reading TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.

hardlyadverbUS /ˈhɑːrdli/

only a very short time before

From this reading Besides, the tiger moved so swiftly, that hardly any one could have stopped him.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Besides, the tiger moved so swiftly, that hardly any one could have stopped him.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Come back!" cried Tum Tum, when he saw Sharp Tooth running out of the tent.

hereadverbUS /hiːr/

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading "Come back here!

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Besides, the tiger moved so swiftly, that hardly any one could have stopped him.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "Indeed I will not!

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.

IndeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading "Indeed I will not!

movedadjectiveUS /muːvd/

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading Besides, the tiger moved so swiftly, that hardly any one could have stopped him.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Besides, the tiger moved so swiftly, that hardly any one could have stopped him.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.

quickadjectiveUS /kwɪk/

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.

runningadjectiveUS /ˈrʌnɪŋ/

(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream

From this reading Come back!" cried Tum Tum, when he saw Sharp Tooth running out of the tent.

sawverbUS /sɔː/

cut with a saw

From this reading Come back!" cried Tum Tum, when he saw Sharp Tooth running out of the tent.

SharpadjectiveUS /ʃɑːrp/

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Besides, the tiger moved so swiftly, that hardly any one could have stopped him.

stopverbUS /stɑːp/

come to a halt, stop moving

From this reading TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.

stoppedadjectiveUS /stɑːpt/

(of a nose) blocked

From this reading Besides, the tiger moved so swiftly, that hardly any one could have stopped him.

swiftlyadverbUS /ˈswɪftli/

in a swift manner

From this reading Besides, the tiger moved so swiftly, that hardly any one could have stopped him.

tentnounUS /tent/

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

From this reading Come back!" cried Tum Tum, when he saw Sharp Tooth running out of the tent.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Besides, the tiger moved so swiftly, that hardly any one could have stopped him.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.

tigernounUS /ˈtaɪɡər/

a fierce or audacious person

From this reading TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.

ToothnounUS /tuːθ/

hard bonelike structures in the jaws of vertebrates; used for biting and chewing or for attack and defense

From this reading TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.

triedadjectiveUS /traɪd/

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.

TUMnoun

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

From this reading TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.

TUM'S

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

From this reading TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading TUM TUM'S BRAVE DEED Tum Tum tried to get in front of Sharp Tooth and stop the tiger from getting out of his cage, but the big elephant was not quick enough.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Come back!" cried Tum Tum, when he saw Sharp Tooth running out of the tent.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "Indeed I will not!

Chapter 12 of Tum Tum, the Jolly Elephant by Richard Barnum holds 152 sentences, grouped into 31 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 Tum Tum, the Jolly Elephant contain?

Chapter 12 holds 152 sentences of Tum Tum, the Jolly Elephant, unabridged, divided into 31 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 12 of Tum Tum, the Jolly Elephant by Richard Barnum exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 152 sentences, grouped into 31 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 Tum Tum, the Jolly Elephant?

Work through the 31 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 31 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 Tum Tum, the Jolly Elephant

Common questions about reading Tum Tum, the Jolly Elephant by Richard Barnum on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Tum Tum, the Jolly Elephant?

Yes. All 1677 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #21599 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Tum Tum, the Jolly Elephant is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #21599, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Tum Tum, the Jolly Elephant take to read?

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

How to read Tum Tum, the Jolly Elephant section by section

How to work through Tum Tum, the Jolly Elephant section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

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  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 Tum Tum, the Jolly Elephant

Words and structures a reader meets early in Tum Tum, the Jolly Elephant, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Jolly
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tum Tum, the Jolly Elephant; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Elephant
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tum Tum, the Jolly Elephant; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Shall
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tum Tum, the Jolly Elephant; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Start
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Tum Tum, the Jolly Elephant; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.