Which languages can I read The Lion and the Mouse in?

English, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish and Chinese. 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, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish and Chinese are B1 Intermediate. Levels follow the Common European Framework, from A1 (beginner) to C2.

About 202 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

El león y el ratón

Aesop

In each language: The Lion and the Mouse · El león y el ratón · Il leone e il topo · ライオンとネズミ · 사자와 생쥐 · O Leão e o Rato · Leul și șoarecele · Aslan ile Fare · 狮子与老鼠

A mouse wakes a sleeping lion by running across his nose, and begs for its life with a promise to repay the favor someday. The lion laughs at the idea, until he later finds himself helplessly tangled in a hunter's net.

In English, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish and Chinese · about 200 words · 5 min to read.

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How it begins

SpanishEnglish

Las fábulas de Esopo para niños El león y el ratón Un león dormía en el bosque, con su gran cabeza descansando sobre sus patas. Un tímido ratoncito se encontró con él inesperadamente y, en su susto y prisa por escapar, corrió sobre la nariz del león.

The Æsop for Children The Lion & the Mouse A Lion lay asleep in the forest, his great head resting on his paws. A timid little Mouse came upon him unexpectedly, and in her fright and haste to get away, ran across the Lion's nose.

Despertado de su siesta, el león puso su enorme pata con ira sobre la pequeña criatura para matarla.

Roused from his nap, the Lion laid his huge paw angrily on the tiny creature to kill her.

«¡Perdóname!», suplicó el pobre ratón. «Por favor, déjame ir y algún día seguramente te lo pagaré».

"Spare me!" begged the poor Mouse. "Please let me go and some day I will surely repay you."

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

Languages

The Lion and the Mouse · English (original)202 words · ~5 min
El león y el ratón · SpanishB1 Intermediate · 201 words · ~5 min
Il leone e il topo · ItalianB1 Intermediate · 191 words · ~5 min
ライオンとネズミ · JapaneseB1 Intermediate · 8 words · ~5 min
사자와 생쥐 · KoreanB1 Intermediate · 149 words · ~5 min
O Leão e o Rato · PortugueseB1 Intermediate · 199 words · ~5 min
Leul și șoarecele · RomanianB1 Intermediate · 203 words · ~5 min
Aslan ile Fare · TurkishB1 Intermediate · 147 words · ~5 min
狮子与老鼠 · ChineseB1 Intermediate · 8 words · ~5 min

Open in the reader: Spanish with English · Italian with English · Japanese with English · Korean with English · Portuguese with English · Romanian with English · Turkish with English · Chinese 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 Lion and the Mouse in?: English, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish and Chinese. 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, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish and Chinese are B1 Intermediate. Levels follow the Common European Framework, from A1 (beginner) to C2.
How long is it?: About 202 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.