Which languages can I read Belling the Cat in?

English, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish and Chinese. 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, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish and Chinese are B1 Intermediate. Levels follow the Common European Framework, from A1 (beginner) to C2.

About 218 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

Poner el cascabel al gato

Aesop

In each language: Belling the Cat · Poner el cascabel al gato · Appendere il campanello al gatto · 猫の首に鈴を · 고양이 목에 방울 달기 · Colocando o Sino no Gato · Punerea zurgălăului la gâtul pisicii · Kediye Çan Takmak · 给猫系铃

The mice live in such fear of the Cat's claws that they hardly dare leave their dens, night or day. They call a meeting to find some way of knowing when she is coming, and many plans are discussed. Then a very young mouse stands up with a simple idea.

In English, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish and Chinese · about 200 words · 5 min to read.

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How it begins

SpanishEnglish

Las fábulas de Esopo para niños Poner el cascabel al gato Los ratones convocaron una vez una reunión para decidir un plan con el fin de librarse de su enemiga, la Gata. Al menos deseaban encontrar alguna forma de saber cuándo se acercaba, para que pudieran tener tiempo de huir.

The Æsop for Children Belling the Cat The Mice once called a meeting to decide on a plan to free themselves of their enemy, the Cat. At least they wished to find some way of knowing when she was coming, so they might have time to run away.

En efecto, había que hacer algo, pues vivían con tanto miedo constante a sus garras que apenas se atrevían a salir de sus madrigueras ni de noche ni de día.

Indeed, something had to be done, for they lived in such constant fear of her claws that they hardly dared stir from their dens by night or day.

Se discutieron muchos planes, pero ninguno se consideró lo suficientemente bueno. Por fin, un ratón muy joven se levantó y dijo:

Many plans were discussed, but none of them was thought good enough. At last a very young Mouse got up and said:

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

Languages

Belling the Cat · English (original)218 words · ~5 min
Poner el cascabel al gato · SpanishB1 Intermediate · 207 words · ~5 min
Appendere il campanello al gatto · ItalianB1 Intermediate · 201 words · ~5 min
猫の首に鈴を · JapaneseB1 Intermediate · 8 words · ~5 min
고양이 목에 방울 달기 · KoreanB1 Intermediate · 139 words · ~5 min
Colocando o Sino no Gato · PortugueseB1 Intermediate · 201 words · ~5 min
Punerea zurgălăului la gâtul pisicii · RomanianB1 Intermediate · 211 words · ~5 min
Kediye Çan Takmak · TurkishB1 Intermediate · 152 words · ~5 min
给猫系铃 · ChineseB1 Intermediate · 8 words · ~5 min

Open in the reader: Spanish with English · Italian with English · Japanese with English · Korean with English · Portuguese with English · Romanian with English · Turkish with English · Chinese 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 Belling the Cat in?: English, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish and Chinese. 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, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish and Chinese are B1 Intermediate. Levels follow the Common European Framework, from A1 (beginner) to C2.
How long is it?: About 218 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.