Which languages can I read The Devoted Friend 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 4,332 words: around 25–40 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

Der ergebene Freund

Oscar Wilde

In each language: The Devoted Friend · Der ergebene Freund · El amigo fiel · L’Ami dévoué · L’amico devoto

A Water-rat tells a Duck and a Linnet how noble and rare true friendship is, and the Linnet offers him a story on the subject. It is about an honest little gardener named Hans and his self-proclaimed best friend, the rich miller Hugh, who talks beautifully about friendship while taking from Hans.

In English, German, Spanish, French and Italian · about 4,300 words · 25–40 min to read.

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How it begins

GermanEnglish

Eines Morgens steckte die alte Wasserratte ihren Kopf aus ihrem Loch. Sie hatte helle, perlenartige Augen und steife graue Schnurrhaare, und ihr Schwanz glich einem langen Stück schwarzen Kautschuks.

One morning the old Water-rat put his head out of his hole. He had bright beady eyes and stiff grey whiskers and his tail was like a long bit of black india-rubber.

Die kleinen Enten schwammen im Teich umher und sahen aus wie eine Schar gelber Kanarienvögel, und ihre Mutter, die schneeweiß war und echte rote Beine hatte, versuchte ihnen beizubringen, wie man im Wasser auf dem Kopf steht.

The little ducks were swimming about in the pond, looking just like a lot of yellow canaries, and their mother, who was pure white with real red legs, was trying to teach them how to stand on their heads in the water.

„Ihr werdet es nie in die beste Gesellschaft schaffen, wenn ihr nicht auf dem Kopf stehen könnt“, sagte sie immer wieder zu ihnen; und ab und zu zeigte sie ihnen, wie es gemacht wird. Aber die kleinen Enten schenkten ihr keine Beachtung.

“You will never be in the best society unless you can stand on your heads,” she kept saying to them; and every now and then she showed them how it was done. But the little ducks paid no attention to her.

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

Languages

The Devoted Friend · English (original)4,332 words · ~25 min
Der ergebene Freund · GermanB1 Intermediate · 4,168 words · ~35 min
El amigo fiel · SpanishB1 Intermediate · 4,023 words · ~35 min
L’Ami dévoué · FrenchB1 Intermediate · 4,556 words · ~40 min
L’amico devoto · ItalianB1 Intermediate · 3,886 words · ~30 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 The Devoted Friend 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 4,332 words: around 25–40 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.