A priest was helping N., and N. walked with a stick. It wasn't much for a front page. On Monday morning I started where every journalist starts: with the people who keep the evidence in their kitchen drawers.
How it begins
A priest was helping N., and N. walked with a stick. It wasn't much for a front page. On Monday morning I started where every journalist starts: with the people who keep the evidence in their kitchen drawers.
Ein Priester hat N. geholfen, und N. ist mit einem Stock gegangen. Das war nicht viel für eine Titelseite. Am Montagmorgen habe ich dort angefangen, wo jede Journalistin anfängt: bei den Leuten, die die Beweise in der Küchenschublade aufbewahren.
I wrote a card at the breakfast table. "DID YOU KEEP YOUR LETTERS FROM N.? I would love to see them, for a story about our square. Leila, upstairs." I added my phone number and drew a small star in the corner. Then I went down and put the card in the shop window, between the advertisement for a lost cat and the one for piano lessons.
Ich habe am Frühstückstisch eine Karte geschrieben. „HABEN SIE IHRE BRIEFE VON N. AUFBEWAHRT? Ich würde sie gern sehen, für eine Geschichte über unseren Platz. Leila, oben im Haus.“ Ich habe meine Handynummer dazugeschrieben und einen kleinen Stern in die Ecke gemalt. Dann bin ich nach unten gegangen und habe die Karte ins Schaufenster gehängt, zwischen die Anzeige für eine verlorene Katze und die für Klavierunterricht.
My father came in from the street with the newspapers. He put them on the counter. He saw the card. He took it out of the window, read it, and put it under the till without a word.
Mein Vater ist mit den Zeitungen von der Straße hereingekommen. Er hat sie auf die Theke gelegt. Er hat die Karte gesehen. Er hat sie aus dem Fenster genommen, gelesen und ohne ein Wort unter die Kasse gelegt.
Languages
- Two Hands · English (original)B1 Intermediate · 1,839 words · ~15 min · Audio
- Zwei Hände · GermanB1 Intermediate · 1,854 words · ~15 min · Audio
- Dos manos · SpanishB1 Intermediate · 1,791 words · ~15 min · Audio
- Deux mains · FrenchB1 Intermediate · 2,075 words · ~15 min · Audio
German with English · Spanish with English · French with English · English with German · English with Spanish · English with French · German with Spanish · German with French · Spanish with German · Spanish with French · French with German · French with Spanish
Questions
Which languages can I read Two Hands in?
English, German, Spanish and French. 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?
The original English is B1 Intermediate. In translation, German, Spanish and French are B1 Intermediate. Levels follow the Common European Framework, from Pre-A1 (starter) to C2.
How long is it?
About 1,839 words: around 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 downloads (PDF, EPUB, and AZW3 and MOBI for Kindle) need a free account.
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.