Shadowing Practice: The Selfish Crocodile By Faustin Charles Illustrated By Michael Terry - Learn English Speaking with YouTube

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The Selfish Crocodile by Foston Charles and illustrated by Michael Terry.
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The Selfish Crocodile by Foston Charles and illustrated by Michael Terry.
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Deep in the forest in the river lived a large crocodile.
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He was a very selfish crocodile.
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He didn't want any other creature to drink or bathe in the river.
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He thought it was his river.
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Every day he shouted to the creatures of the forest,
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stay away from my river,
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it's my river, if you come in my river I'll eat you all.
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So there were no fish,
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no tadpoles, no frogs, no crabs,
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no crayfish in the river.
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all were afraid of the selfish crocodile.
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The forest creatures kept away from the river as well.
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Whenever they were thirsty they went for miles to drink in other rivers and streams.
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Every day the crocodile lay on his great big back in the sun,
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picking his big sharp teeth with a stick.
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But early one morning, the forest was awakened by a loud groaning sound.
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Something was in terrible pain.
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The creatures thought that it was an animal caught by the crocodile.
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But as the sun came out brightly,
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they saw that it was the crocodile who was in pain.
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He was laying on his big back,
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holding his swollen jaw, and he was crying real tears.
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The creatures drew closer, but not too close.
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Some of the creatures felt sorry for the crocodile.
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What's the matter with him? asked a deer.
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I don't know, said a squirrel.
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Maybe he's going to die.
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chirped a bird.
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If that happens it'll be safe to go in the river grunted a wild pig.
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The animals thought about this.
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They hung from branches.
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They hung from vines.
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They buzzed in the air and they shook their heads as they watched the great big crocodile in pain.
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No animal tried to help.
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Suddenly, a little mouse appeared, sniffing the air.
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He ran along the crocodile's tail, then onto his tummy.
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The other creatures stared.
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Look at that mouse, chattered a monkey.
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He's either very brave or mad.
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He's going to be eaten for sure, said an iguana.
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The mouse crept along the crocodile's big neck and into his open mouth.
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There was a hush in the forest.
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The mouse got hold of something and pulled and pulled and pulled.
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Then he put it on his shoulder and walked out of the crocodile's mouth.
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There was a loud cheer from the astonished creatures.
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The crocodile sat up and said,
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I don't feel any more pain, it's all gone.
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Then he saw the mouse walking down his tummy,
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carrying an enormous crocodile tooth on his shoulder.
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Your bad tooth was giving you the toothache answered the mouse turning around to face the now smiling crocodile
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Do you want it back?
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Oh no, no, no, no,
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get rid of it And when you've done that Come back,
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I'll have a present for you The mouse went and buried the bad tooth under a tree,
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and when he returned, the crocodile had a nice,
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juicy nut waiting for him.
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As the crocodile watched the mouse eating the nut,
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he said to him, You are very clever getting rid of my toothache, and kind too.
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I am so grateful, but what shall I do if my toothache comes back?
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Don't worry, I'll help you take care of your teeth,
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answered the mouse, nibbling.
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Soon the crocodile and the mouse were the best of friends.
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And one day the crocodile sent all the animals an invitation.
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Please come to drink and bathe in the river I won't hurt you The river belongs to us all,
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he said
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The creatures weren't afraid to drink and bathe in the river anymore
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Although the crocodile was sometimes snappy They grew to love him
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And soon the river was full of fish and tadpoles and crabs and crayfish Press the button below to subscribe,
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like and share.
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I hope you've enjoyed it.
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See you next time.

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About This Lesson

In this lesson, you will practice English speaking skills through an engaging story titled "The Selfish Crocodile" by Faustin Charles, illustrated by Michael Terry. This tale revolves around a large crocodile who selfishly claims ownership of the river, forbidding other creatures from approaching it. As the story unfolds, you will witness a transformation triggered by an unexpected act of bravery. This lesson provides an opportunity to enhance your vocabulary and improve your pronunciation by shadowing key phrases and sentences from the transcript.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Selfish – unwilling to share with others; self-centered.
  • Creatures – living beings; in this context, animals of the forest.
  • Pain – a feeling of discomfort or suffering.
  • Brave – showing courage in facing dangerous situations.
  • Astonished – extremely surprised or impressed; amazed.
  • Swollen – enlarged, typically due to injury or illness.
  • Cheer – to shout for joy or to express approval.

Practice Tips

To effectively improve your English speaking practice, consider using a shadowing app while following along with this story. The playful tone and vivid imagery in "The Selfish Crocodile" make it an excellent choice for shadowspeak. As you listen to the narration, try to repeat each sentence immediately after hearing it. This technique not only helps with pronunciation but also builds fluency.

The pacing of the video is moderate, allowing you time to think about your responses. As you practice, focus on imitating the intonation and emotion of the narrator. This is especially useful when embodying the crocodile’s self-centered attitude or the mouse’s brave actions. Remember, consistency is key in shadow speaks—the more you practice, the more natural your speaking will become.

To enhance your learning experience, record your voice while practicing. Listening back to your recordings can help you identify areas for improvement. By regularly engaging in this english speaking practice, you will develop greater confidence and clarity in your speech.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

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