Which languages can I read Henny-Penny 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 670 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.

Henny-Penny by Joseph Jacobs: read it in English, German, Spanish, French and Italian, side by side

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How it begins

GermanEnglish

Eines Tages pickte Henne-Penne im Hühnerhof nach Körnern, als es – klatsch! – etwas auf ihren Kopf schlug. „Du meine Güte!“, sagte Henne-Penne. „Der Himmel stürzt ein; ich muss zum König gehen und es ihm sagen.“

One day Henny-penny was picking up corn in the cornyard when—whack!—something hit her upon the head. “Goodness gracious me!” said Henny-penny; “the sky's a-going to fall; I must go and tell the king.”

Also ging sie ihres Weges, und sie ging und ging, bis sie Gockel-Gock traf. „Wo gehst du hin, Henne-Penne?“, fragte Gockel-Gock. „Oh! Ich gehe zum König, um ihm zu sagen, dass der Himmel einstürzt“, sagte Henne-Penne. „Darf ich mitkommen?“, fragte Gockel-Gock.

So she went along and she went along and she went along till she met Cocky-locky. “Where are you going, Henny-penny?” says Cocky-locky. “Oh! I'm going to tell the king the sky's a-falling,” says Henny-penny. “May I come with you?” says Cocky-locky.

„Natürlich“, sagte Henne-Penne. Also gingen Henne-Penne und Gockel-Gock los, um dem König zu sagen, dass der Himmel einstürzt.

“Certainly,” says Henny-penny. So Henny-penny and Cocky-locky went to tell the king the sky was falling.

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

Languages

Henny-Penny · English (original)670 words · ~5 min
Henne-Penne · GermanB1 Intermediate · 670 words · ~5 min
Henny-Penny · SpanishB1 Intermediate · 700 words · ~5 min
Poule-Rousse · FrenchB1 Intermediate · 789 words · ~5 min
Gallinella · ItalianB1 Intermediate · 668 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 Henny-Penny 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 670 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.