Which languages can I read Ashputtel 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 2,564 words: around 15–20 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

Aschenputtel

Brothers Grimm

In each language: Ashputtel · Aschenputtel · La Cenicienta · Cendrillon · Cenerentola

After her mother dies, a kind girl is made to work as a kitchen-maid by her cruel stepmother and two stepsisters, who laugh at her. When the king holds a three-day feast, she longs to go, but her stepmother says she has nothing to wear and cannot dance.

In English, German, Spanish, French and Italian · about 2,600 words · 15–20 min to read.

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How it begins

GermanEnglish

Die Frau eines reichen Mannes wurde krank; und als sie fühlte, dass ihr Ende nahte, rief sie ihre einzige Tochter an ihr Bett und sagte: „Sei immer ein braves Mädchen, dann werde ich vom Himmel auf dich herabschauen und über dich wachen.“

The wife of a rich man fell sick; and when she felt that her end drew nigh, she called her only daughter to her bed-side, and said, ‘Always be a good girl, and I will look down from heaven and watch over you.’

Bald darauf schloss sie die Augen und starb und wurde im Garten begraben; und das kleine Mädchen ging jeden Tag zu ihrem Grab und weinte und war immer gut und freundlich zu allen um sie herum.

Soon afterwards she shut her eyes and died, and was buried in the garden; and the little girl went every day to her grave and wept, and was always good and kind to all about her.

Und der Schnee fiel und breitete eine schöne weiße Decke über das Grab; aber als der Frühling kam und die Sonne ihn wieder weggeschmolzen hatte, hatte ihr Vater eine andere Frau geheiratet.

And the snow fell and spread a beautiful white covering over the grave; but by the time the spring came, and the sun had melted it away again, her father had married another wife.

The opening paragraphs, as the reader shows them. Read on

Languages

Ashputtel · English (original)2,564 words · ~15 min
Aschenputtel · GermanB1 Intermediate · 2,387 words · ~20 min
La Cenicienta · SpanishB1 Intermediate · 2,446 words · ~20 min
Cendrillon · FrenchB1 Intermediate · 2,609 words · ~20 min
Cenerentola · ItalianB1 Intermediate · 2,349 words · ~20 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 Ashputtel 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 2,564 words: around 15–20 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.