Nobody tells you how dirty a church hall is. I swept it on Thursday evening, after the rehearsal, with Mr Doyle's old broom. There were biscuits under the piano from 2019. There was a shoe. There was a very old sandwich.
How it begins
Nobody tells you how dirty a church hall is. I swept it on Thursday evening, after the rehearsal, with Mr Doyle's old broom. There were biscuits under the piano from 2019. There was a shoe. There was a very old sandwich.
Niemand sagt einem, wie schmutzig ein Gemeindehaus ist. Ich habe es am Donnerstagabend nach der Probe gefegt, mit Herrn Doyles altem Besen. Unter dem Klavier lagen Kekse von 2019. Da war ein Schuh. Da war ein sehr altes Sandwich.
Then I took some thin wire from the kitchen drawer and tied the tin star to the top of the little stable, round and round, very tight. Nobody could take that star now. I locked the door with my key, and I checked it twice. At seven Marco came with his key to build, and at ten he locked it again. I know, because I walked past at ten, in my coat, with my list. He didn't see me. I felt stupid and I walked past anyway.
Dann habe ich dünnen Draht aus der Küchenschublade genommen und den Blechstern oben am kleinen Stall festgebunden, rundherum, sehr fest. Jetzt konnte niemand den Stern mehr nehmen. Ich habe die Tür mit meinem Schlüssel abgeschlossen und zweimal geprüft. Um sieben ist Marco mit seinem Schlüssel zum Bauen gekommen, und um zehn hat er wieder abgeschlossen. Ich weiß es, weil ich um zehn vorbeigegangen bin, im Mantel, mit meiner Liste. Er hat mich nicht gesehen. Ich habe mich dumm gefühlt, und ich bin trotzdem vorbeigegangen.
On Fridays Ruth's choir practises in the hall. This Friday she came early. At half past three she came into my classroom, which she has never done before.
Freitags übt Ruths Chor im Gemeindehaus. An diesem Freitag ist sie früh gekommen. Um halb vier ist sie in mein Klassenzimmer gekommen, das hat sie noch nie gemacht.
Languages
- Red Gloves · English (original)A2 Easy · 973 words · ~10 min · Audio
- Rote Handschuhe · GermanA2 Easy · 1,000 words · ~10 min · Audio
- Guantes rojos · SpanishA2 Easy · 940 words · ~10 min · Audio
- Gants rouges · FrenchA2 Easy · 1,132 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 Red Gloves 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 A2 Easy. In translation, German, Spanish and French are A2 Easy. Levels follow the Common European Framework, from Pre-A1 (starter) to C2.
How long is it?
About 973 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 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.
