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Fables
Fables

Chapter IV

Cover illustration for Fables
Context Illustration Reading 1/41 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.
Now after many years the elder son came upon the sides of the salt sea; and it was night, and a savage place, and the clamour of the sea was loud.
There he was aware of a house, and a man that sat there by the light of a candle, for he had no fire.
Now the elder son came in to him, and the man gave him water to drink, for he had no bread; and wagged his head when he was spoken to, for he had no words.
"Have you the touchstone of truth?" asked the elder son and when the man had wagged his head, "I might have known that," cried the elder son.
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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.

Fables

Chapter IV

Reading 1/41 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.
Line 2
Now after many years the elder son came upon the sides of the salt sea; and it was night, and a savage place, and the clamour of the sea was loud.
Line 3
There he was aware of a house, and a man that sat there by the light of a candle, for he had no fire.
Line 4
Now the elder son came in to him, and the man gave him water to drink, for he had no bread; and wagged his head when he was spoken to, for he had no words.
Line 5
"Have you the touchstone of truth?" asked the elder son and when the man had wagged his head, "I might have known that," cried the elder son.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “Now after many years the elder son came upon the sides of the salt sea; and it was night, and a savage place, and the clamour of the sea was loud.”

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Have you the touchstone of truth?" asked the elder son and when the man had wagged his head, "I might have known that," cried the elder son.”

Cried noun US /cried/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Have you the touchstone of truth?" asked the elder son and when the man had wagged his head, "I might have known that," cried the elder son.”

Drink noun US /drink/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Now the elder son came in to him, and the man gave him water to drink, for he had no bread; and wagged his head when he was spoken to, for he had no words.”

Has auxiliary verb US /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “"Have you the touchstone of truth?" asked the elder son and when the man had wagged his head, "I might have known that," cried the elder son.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “"Have you the touchstone of truth?" asked the elder son and when the man had wagged his head, "I might have known that," cried the elder son.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.”

All words in this reading · 76

Every word is available to listen to. 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 But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Now after many years the elder son came upon the sides of the salt sea; and it was night, and a savage place, and the clamour of the sea was loud.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Have you the touchstone of truth?" asked the elder son and when the man had wagged his head, "I might have known that," cried the elder son.

aware

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

From this reading There he was aware of a house, and a man that sat there by the light of a candle, for he had no fire.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.

bosom

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

From this reading But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.

bread

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

From this reading Now the elder son came in to him, and the man gave him water to drink, for he had no bread; and wagged his head when he was spoken to, for he had no words.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading There he was aware of a house, and a man that sat there by the light of a candle, for he had no fire.

came

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

From this reading Now after many years the elder son came upon the sides of the salt sea; and it was night, and a savage place, and the clamour of the sea was loud.

candle

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

From this reading There he was aware of a house, and a man that sat there by the light of a candle, for he had no fire.

clamour

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

From this reading Now after many years the elder son came upon the sides of the salt sea; and it was night, and a savage place, and the clamour of the sea was loud.

criednounUS /cried/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Have you the touchstone of truth?" asked the elder son and when the man had wagged his head, "I might have known that," cried the elder son.

desire

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

From this reading But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.

drink

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

From this reading Now the elder son came in to him, and the man gave him water to drink, for he had no bread; and wagged his head when he was spoken to, for he had no words.

elder

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

From this reading Now after many years the elder son came upon the sides of the salt sea; and it was night, and a savage place, and the clamour of the sea was loud.

fall

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

From this reading But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.

fire

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

From this reading But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There he was aware of a house, and a man that sat there by the light of a candle, for he had no fire.

gave

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

From this reading Now the elder son came in to him, and the man gave him water to drink, for he had no bread; and wagged his head when he was spoken to, for he had no words.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading There he was aware of a house, and a man that sat there by the light of a candle, for he had no fire.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.

Haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "Have you the touchstone of truth?" asked the elder son and when the man had wagged his head, "I might have known that," cried the elder son.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.

head

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

From this reading Now the elder son came in to him, and the man gave him water to drink, for he had no bread; and wagged his head when he was spoken to, for he had no words.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading Now the elder son came in to him, and the man gave him water to drink, for he had no bread; and wagged his head when he was spoken to, for he had no words.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.

house

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

From this reading But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.

hunter

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

From this reading But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "Have you the touchstone of truth?" asked the elder son and when the man had wagged his head, "I might have known that," cried the elder son.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Now after many years the elder son came upon the sides of the salt sea; and it was night, and a savage place, and the clamour of the sea was loud.

kindled

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

From this reading But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.

known

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

From this reading "Have you the touchstone of truth?" asked the elder son and when the man had wagged his head, "I might have known that," cried the elder son.

light

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

From this reading There he was aware of a house, and a man that sat there by the light of a candle, for he had no fire.

lights

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

From this reading But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.

like

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

From this reading But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.

loud

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

From this reading Now after many years the elder son came upon the sides of the salt sea; and it was night, and a savage place, and the clamour of the sea was loud.

man

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

From this reading There he was aware of a house, and a man that sat there by the light of a candle, for he had no fire.

many

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

From this reading Now after many years the elder son came upon the sides of the salt sea; and it was night, and a savage place, and the clamour of the sea was loud.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading "Have you the touchstone of truth?" asked the elder son and when the man had wagged his head, "I might have known that," cried the elder son.

mountain

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

From this reading But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.

night

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

From this reading But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading There he was aware of a house, and a man that sat there by the light of a candle, for he had no fire.

Now

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

From this reading Now after many years the elder son came upon the sides of the salt sea; and it was night, and a savage place, and the clamour of the sea was loud.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.

place

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

From this reading Now after many years the elder son came upon the sides of the salt sea; and it was night, and a savage place, and the clamour of the sea was loud.

salt

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

From this reading Now after many years the elder son came upon the sides of the salt sea; and it was night, and a savage place, and the clamour of the sea was loud.

sat

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

From this reading There he was aware of a house, and a man that sat there by the light of a candle, for he had no fire.

savage

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

From this reading Now after many years the elder son came upon the sides of the salt sea; and it was night, and a savage place, and the clamour of the sea was loud.

sea

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

From this reading Now after many years the elder son came upon the sides of the salt sea; and it was night, and a savage place, and the clamour of the sea was loud.

seen

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

From this reading But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.

shine

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

From this reading But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.

sides

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

From this reading Now after many years the elder son came upon the sides of the salt sea; and it was night, and a savage place, and the clamour of the sea was loud.

single

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

From this reading But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.

son

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

From this reading Now after many years the elder son came upon the sides of the salt sea; and it was night, and a savage place, and the clamour of the sea was loud.

spoken

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

From this reading Now the elder son came in to him, and the man gave him water to drink, for he had no bread; and wagged his head when he was spoken to, for he had no words.

stag

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

From this reading But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.

There

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

From this reading There he was aware of a house, and a man that sat there by the light of a candle, for he had no fire.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Now the elder son came in to him, and the man gave him water to drink, for he had no bread; and wagged his head when he was spoken to, for he had no words.

touchstone

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

From this reading "Have you the touchstone of truth?" asked the elder son and when the man had wagged his head, "I might have known that," cried the elder son.

truth

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

From this reading "Have you the touchstone of truth?" asked the elder son and when the man had wagged his head, "I might have known that," cried the elder son.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.

wagged

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

From this reading Now the elder son came in to him, and the man gave him water to drink, for he had no bread; and wagged his head when he was spoken to, for he had no words.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading But he was like the hunter that has seen a stag upon a mountain, so that the night may fall, and the fire be kindled, and the lights shine in his house; but desire of that stag is single in his bosom.

water

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

From this reading Now the elder son came in to him, and the man gave him water to drink, for he had no bread; and wagged his head when he was spoken to, for he had no words.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Now the elder son came in to him, and the man gave him water to drink, for he had no bread; and wagged his head when he was spoken to, for he had no words.

words

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

From this reading Now the elder son came in to him, and the man gave him water to drink, for he had no bread; and wagged his head when he was spoken to, for he had no words.

years

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

From this reading Now after many years the elder son came upon the sides of the salt sea; and it was night, and a savage place, and the clamour of the sea was loud.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Have you the touchstone of truth?" asked the elder son and when the man had wagged his head, "I might have known that," cried the elder son.