Which languages can I read The Oak and the Reeds 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 196 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.

Classic

Die Eiche und die Schilfrohre

Aesop

In each language: The Oak and the Reeds · Die Eiche und die Schilfrohre · El roble y los juncos · Le Chêne et le Roseau · La quercia e la canna

A giant oak stands by a brook, proudly upright in the wind, and scorns the slender reeds that bow low whenever it blows. The reeds calmly reply that the wind does not harm them. Then a great hurricane rushes out of the north.

In English, German, Spanish, French and Italian · about 200 words · 5 min to read.

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Links · du liestRechts · als Hilfe

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So fängt es an

GermanEnglish

Eine riesige Eiche stand in der Nähe eines Baches, in dem einige schlanke Schilfrohre wuchsen. Wenn der Wind wehte, stand die große Eiche stolz aufrecht mit ihren hundert Armen, die sich zum Himmel erhoben. Aber die Schilfrohre beugten sich tief im Wind und sangen ein trauriges und klagendes Lied.

A Giant Oak stood near a brook in which grew some slender Reeds. When the wind blew, the great Oak stood proudly upright with its hundred arms uplifted to the sky. But the Reeds bowed low in the wind and sang a sad and mournful song.

"Ihr habt Grund zur Klage", sagte die Eiche. "Der leiseste Windhauch, der die Wasseroberfläche kräuselt, lässt euch die Köpfe senken, während ich, die mächtige Eiche, aufrecht und fest vor dem heulenden Sturm stehe."

"You have reason to complain," said the Oak. "The slightest breeze that ruffles the surface of the water makes you bow your heads, while I, the mighty Oak, stand upright and firm before the howling tempest."

"Sorgt euch nicht um uns", antworteten die Schilfrohre. "Die Winde schaden uns nicht. Wir beugen uns vor ihnen und so zerbrechen wir nicht. Du hast in all deinem Stolz und deiner Stärke ihren Schlägen bisher widerstanden. Aber das Ende naht."

"Do not worry about us," replied the Reeds. "The winds do not harm us. We bow before them and so we do not break. You, in all your pride and strength, have so far resisted their blows. But the end is coming."

Die ersten Absätze, so wie der Reader sie zeigt. Weiterlesen

Languages

The Oak and the Reeds · English (original)196 words · ~5 min
Die Eiche und die Schilfrohre · GermanB1 Intermediate · 195 words · ~5 min
El roble y los juncos · SpanishB1 Intermediate · 195 words · ~5 min
Le Chêne et le Roseau · FrenchB1 Intermediate · 205 words · ~5 min
La quercia e la canna · ItalianB1 Intermediate · 198 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 The Oak and the Reeds 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 196 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.