Which languages can I read The Farmer and the Stork 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 127 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

Der Bauer und der Storch

Aesop

In each language: The Farmer and the Stork · Der Bauer und der Storch · El granjero y la cigüeña · Le fermier et la cigogne · Il contadino e la cicogna

A simple, trusting stork is invited by a cheerful party of cranes to visit a newly planted field. The party ends badly when all the birds are caught in the farmer's net. The stork begs to be spared, insisting he is honest and never knew the cranes meant to steal.

In English, German, Spanish, French and Italian · about 150 words · 5 min to read.

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How it begins

GermanEnglish

Ein Storch von sehr einfacher und vertrauensseliger Natur war von einer fröhlichen Gruppe Kraniche eingeladen worden, ein frisch bestelltes Feld zu besuchen. Doch das Treffen endete kläglich, als sich alle Vögel in den Maschen des Netzes des Bauern verfingen.

A Stork of a very simple and trusting nature had been asked by a gay party of Cranes to visit a field that had been newly planted. But the party ended dismally with all the birds entangled in the meshes of the Farmer's net.

Der Storch flehte den Bauern an, ihn zu verschonen.

The Stork begged the Farmer to spare him.

"Bitte lass mich gehen", flehte er. "Ich gehöre zur Familie der Störche, von denen du weißt, dass sie ehrlich sind und einen guten Charakter haben. Außerdem wusste ich nicht, dass die Kraniche stehlen wollten."

"Please let me go," he pleaded. "I belong to the Stork family who you know are honest and birds of good character. Besides, I did not know the Cranes were going to steal."

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

Languages

The Farmer and the Stork · English (original)127 words · ~5 min
Der Bauer und der Storch · GermanB1 Intermediate · 127 words · ~5 min
El granjero y la cigüeña · SpanishB1 Intermediate · 122 words · ~5 min
Le fermier et la cigogne · FrenchB1 Intermediate · 123 words · ~5 min
Il contadino e la cicogna · ItalianB1 Intermediate · 112 words · ~5 min

Open in the reader: German with English · German with French · 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 Farmer and the Stork 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 127 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.