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Cinderella (Aschenputtel)
Cinderella (Aschenputtel)

Chapter VI

Chapter 6, section 1: Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan. The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon
Context Illustration Reading 1/84 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.
The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.
When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!
At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.
The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.
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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.

Cinderella (Aschenputtel)

Chapter VI

Reading 1/84 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.
Line 2
The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.
Line 3
When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!
Line 4
At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.
Line 5
The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.

Learner Dictionary

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

Began noun US /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.”

Robbers noun US /ˈrɒb.ərz/

Persons who steal from a person or place, especially using violence or threats.

From this reading “Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.”

Thinking noun US /thinking/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.”

Thought noun US /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.”

All words in this reading · 100

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 Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.

animals

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

From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.

ate

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

From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.

away

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

From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.

back

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

From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.

barked

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

From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!

begannounUS /began/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!

brayed

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

From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!

burst

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

From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!

cat

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

From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.

clattered

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

From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!

climb

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

From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.

cock

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

From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.

companions

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

From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.

content

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

From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.

counsel

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

From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.

crowed

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

From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!

din

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

From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.

dog

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

From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!

donkey

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

From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.

donkey's

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

From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.

down

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

From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.

drive

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

From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.

fast

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

From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.

fled

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

From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.

fly

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

From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.

fore-feet

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

From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.

forest

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

From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.

four

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

From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.

fright

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

From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.

ghost

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

From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.

given

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

From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!

glass

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

From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!

going

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

From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.

head

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

From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.

horrible

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

From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.

hound

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

From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.

how

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

From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!

jump

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

From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.

lastly

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

From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.

manage

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

From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.

mewed

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

From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!

month

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

From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.

music

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

From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.

now

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

From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.

otherwise

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

From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.

out

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

From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.

perch

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

From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.

perform

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

From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!

place

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

From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.

plan

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

From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.

robbersnounUS /ˈrɒb.ərz/

Persons who steal from a person or place, especially using violence or threats.

From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.

room

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

From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!

sat

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

From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.

signal

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

From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!

sprang

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

From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.

table

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

From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!

Then

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

From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.

thinkingnounUS /thinking/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At this horrible din, the robbers sprang up, thinking no otherwise than that a ghost had come in, and fled in a great fright out into the forest.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!

thoughtnounUS /thought/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.

together

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

From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Then the animals took counsel together how they should manage to drive away the robbers, and at last they thought of a plan.

up

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

From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.

well

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

From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading The four companions now sat down at the table, well content with what was left, and ate as if they were going to fast for a month.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!

window

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

From this reading When this was done, at a given signal, they began to perform their music together: the donkey brayed, the hound barked, the cat mewed, and the cock crowed; then they burst through the window into the room, so that the glass clattered!

window-ledge

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

From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The donkey was to place himself with his fore-feet upon the window-ledge, the hound was to jump on the donkey’s back, the cat was to climb upon the dog, and lastly the cock was to fly up and perch upon the head of the cat.