Which languages can I read Three Questions 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 1,564 words: around 10–15 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

Drei Fragen

Leo Tolstoy

In each language: Three Questions · Drei Fragen · Las tres preguntas · Les Trois Questions · Le tre domande

A king offers a great reward to anyone who can tell him the right time for every action, who the most necessary people are, and what matters most. When his learned men disagree, he seeks out a hermit in the woods who gives no answer, until a wounded stranger comes running from the trees.

In English, German, Spanish, French and Italian · about 1,600 words · 10–15 min to read.

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Links · du liestRechts · als Hilfe

Du liest links auf Deutsch. Englisch steht rechts als Hilfe, und beim Lesen kannst du es mit der Augen-Taste verwischen oder ausblenden.

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So fängt es an

GermanEnglish

Einem gewissen König kam einst der Gedanke, dass er niemals bei irgendetwas scheitern würde, das er unternähme, wenn er immer den richtigen Zeitpunkt wüsste, um alles zu beginnen; wenn er wüsste, wer die richtigen Leute seien, auf die er hören sollte, und wen er meiden müsse; und vor allem, wenn er immer wüsste, was das Wichtigste sei, das es zu tun gälte.

It once occurred to a certain king, that if he always knew the right time to begin everything; if he knew who were the right people to listen to, and whom to avoid; and, above all, if he always knew what was the most important thing to do, he would never fail in anything he might undertake.

Und nachdem ihm dieser Gedanke gekommen war, ließ er in seinem ganzen Königreich ausrufen, dass er jedem eine große Belohnung geben würde, der ihn lehren könne, was der richtige Zeitpunkt für jede Handlung sei, wer die notwendigsten Menschen seien und wie er wissen könne, was das Wichtigste sei, das es zu tun gälte.

And this thought having occurred to him, he had it proclaimed throughout his kingdom that he would give a great reward to any one who would teach him what was the right time for every action, and who were the most necessary people, and how he might know what was the most important thing to do.

Und gelehrte Männer kamen zum König, aber sie alle beantworteten seine Fragen unterschiedlich.

And learned men came to the King, but they all answered his questions differently.

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

Languages

Three Questions · English (original)1,564 words · ~10 min
Drei Fragen · GermanB1 Intermediate · 1,550 words · ~15 min
Las tres preguntas · SpanishB1 Intermediate · 1,507 words · ~15 min
Les Trois Questions · FrenchB1 Intermediate · 1,596 words · ~15 min
Le tre domande · ItalianB1 Intermediate · 1,474 words · ~10 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 Three Questions 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 1,564 words: around 10–15 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.