Chapter 1 of Wonder Tales from Many Lands is here in full — 428 sentences across 86 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter I
Chapter 1 of Wonder Tales from Many Lands is here in full — 428 sentences across 86 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
By Dr W. E. GRIFFIS. Illustrated in Colour. By NORMAN H. PITMAN. Illustrated in Colour. _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
Chapter 1 of Wonder Tales from Many Lands is here in full — 428 sentences across 86 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
Reading 1/85 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5
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.
changed in order to improve or made more fit for a particular purpose
From this reading “_Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.”
a monarchy in northwestern Europe occupying most of the British Isles; divided into England and Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland; “Great Britain” is often used loosely to refer to the United Kingdom
From this reading “_Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.”
the capital of Scotland; located in the Lothian Region on the south side of the Firth of Forth
past form of “illustrate” — clarify by giving an example of
From this reading “Illustrated in Colour.”
United States operatic soprano (born in 1945)
From this reading “By NORMAN H. PITMAN.”
an inhabitant of Scandinavia
English educator who invented a system of phonetic shorthand (1813-1897)
From this reading “By NORMAN H. PITMAN.”
plural of “spear” — a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon
From this reading “_Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.”
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.
In this reading “_Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.”
In this reading “_Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.”
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.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
changed in order to improve or made more fit for a particular purpose
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
any thing at all
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
a monarchy in northwestern Europe occupying most of the British Isles; divided into England and Scotland and Wales and Northern Ireland; “Great Britain” is often used loosely to refer to the United Kingdom
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By Dr W. E. GRIFFIS.
having or capable of producing colors
From this reading Illustrated in Colour.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By Dr W. E. GRIFFIS.
a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for normal reproduction; an important antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body
From this reading By Dr W. E. GRIFFIS.
the capital of Scotland; located in the Lothian Region on the south side of the Firth of Forth
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
divisible by two
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By Dr W. E. GRIFFIS.
a nonmetallic univalent element that is normally a colorless and odorless highly flammable diatomic gas; the simplest and lightest and most abundant element in the universe
From this reading By NORMAN H. PITMAN.
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
past form of “illustrate” — clarify by giving an example of
From this reading Illustrated in Colour.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Illustrated in Colour.
a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
held dear
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
United States operatic soprano (born in 1945)
From this reading By NORMAN H. PITMAN.
an inhabitant of Scandinavia
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
on one occasion
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
and nothing more
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
English educator who invented a system of phonetic shorthand (1813-1897)
From this reading By NORMAN H. PITMAN.
past form of “print” — put into print
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
a male human offspring
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
plural of “spear” — a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
in or at that place or location
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
a heavy grey-white metallic element; the pure form is used mainly in electrical applications; it is found in several ores including wolframite and scheelite
From this reading By Dr W. E. GRIFFIS.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
which person or people
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading _Printed in Great Britain by Turnbull & Spears, Edinburgh_ DAPPLEGRIM 126 _A Tale adapted from the Norse_ THERE was once a King who had one only son, and him he loved better than anything in the whole world—better even than his own life.
Chapter 1 of Wonder Tales from Many Lands by Katharine Pyle holds 428 sentences, grouped into 86 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.
Chapter 1 holds 428 sentences of Wonder Tales from Many Lands, unabridged, divided into 86 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 1 of Wonder Tales from Many Lands by Katharine Pyle exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 428 sentences, grouped into 86 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.
Work through the 86 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.
Each of the 86 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.
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.
Common questions about reading Wonder Tales from Many Lands by Katharine Pyle on this page, its source edition and its audio.
Yes. All 3439 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #48351 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.
Project Gutenberg eBook #48351, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.
About 286 minutes of reading across 688 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
How to work through Wonder Tales from Many Lands section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.
Choose one of the 8 chapters of Wonder Tales from Many Lands to begin.
Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.
Words and structures a reader meets early in Wonder Tales from Many Lands, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
