Which languages can I read King Alfred and the Cakes in?

English, German, Spanish, French and Italian. Pick the language you want to read and the one to keep beside it: every paragraph sits next to its translation, so you can check a sentence without losing your place.

In translation, German, Spanish, French and Italian are B1 Intermediate. Levels follow the Common European Framework, from A1 (beginner) to C2.

About 517 words: around 5 min of reading, with the translation beside it. The time depends on the edition's level: an easier edition is read more slowly.

Yes. Read it online with no account. The e-reader files (EPUB, and AZW3 and MOBI for Kindle) need a free account; the PDF doesn't.

Can I read it on a Kindle or Kobo?

Yes. Download the EPUB for Kobo, Apple Books and most e-readers, or the AZW3 or MOBI for a Kindle, with each paragraph followed by its translation. There is also a side-by-side PDF to print, and each language on its own.

König Alfred und die Kuchen von James Baldwin (1841–1925): auf Englisch, Deutsch, Spanisch, Französisch und Italienisch lesen, nebeneinander

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So fängt es an

GermanEnglish

Vor vielen Jahren lebte in England ein weiser und guter König namens Alfred. Kein anderer Mann hat je so viel für sein Land getan wie er; und die Menschen auf der ganzen Welt sprechen heute von ihm als Alfred dem Großen.

Many years ago there lived in England a wise and good king whose name was Alfred. No other man ever did so much for his country as he; and people now, all over the world, speak of him as Alfred the Great.

In jenen Tagen hatte ein König kein sehr leichtes Leben. Es herrschte fast ständig Krieg, und niemand sonst konnte sein Heer so gut in die Schlacht führen wie er. Und so hatte er zwischen Regieren und Kämpfen wahrlich alle Hände voll zu tun.

In those days a king did not have a very easy life. There was war almost all the time, and no one else could lead his army into battle so well as he. And so, between ruling and fighting, he had a busy time of it indeed.

Ein wildes, raues Volk, die Dänen genannt, war von jenseits des Meeres gekommen und bekämpfte die Engländer. Es waren ihrer so viele, und sie waren so kühn und stark, dass sie lange Zeit jede Schlacht gewannen.

A fierce, rude people, called the Danes, had come from over the sea, and were fighting the English. There were so many of them, and they were so bold and strong, that for a long time they gained every battle.

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Languages

King Alfred and the Cakes · English (original)517 words · ~5 min
König Alfred und die Kuchen · GermanB1 Intermediate · 493 words · ~5 min
El rey Alfredo y los pasteles · SpanishB1 Intermediate · 468 words · ~5 min
Le roi Alfred et les gâteaux · FrenchB1 Intermediate · 480 words · ~5 min
Re Alfredo e le focacce · ItalianB1 Intermediate · 455 words · ~5 min

Open in the reader: German with English · Spanish with English · French with English · Italian with English

Reading it as a parallel text

A parallel text puts a story next to its translation, paragraph by paragraph. Read in the language you are working on and glance across only when a sentence stops you: the story keeps moving, and the words you look up stay in context. More in how to read with a parallel text.

Questions

Which languages can I read King Alfred and the Cakes in?: English, German, Spanish, French and Italian. Pick the language you want to read and the one to keep beside it: every paragraph sits next to its translation, so you can check a sentence without losing your place.
What level is it?: In translation, German, Spanish, French and Italian are B1 Intermediate. Levels follow the Common European Framework, from A1 (beginner) to C2.
How long is it?: About 517 words: around 5 min of reading, with the translation beside it. The time depends on the edition's level: an easier edition is read more slowly.
Is it free?: Yes. Read it online with no account. The e-reader files (EPUB, and AZW3 and MOBI for Kindle) need a free account; the PDF doesn't.
Can I read it on a Kindle or Kobo?: Yes. Download the EPUB for Kobo, Apple Books and most e-readers, or the AZW3 or MOBI for a Kindle, with each paragraph followed by its translation. There is also a side-by-side PDF to print, and each language on its own.