Classic
Die Schildkröte und der Hase
Aesop
In each language: The Tortoise and the Hare · Die Schildkröte und der Hase · La liebre y la tortuga · Le Lièvre et la Tortue · La lepre e la tartaruga
A hare mocks the tortoise for being so slow. The tortoise replies that he will get there sooner than the hare thinks and proposes a race. Amused, the hare agrees just for the fun of it, and the fox, acting as judge, marks the distance and starts the runners off.
In English, German, Spanish, French and Italian · about 200 words · 5 min to read.
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How it begins
Äsops Fabeln für Kinder Der Hase & die Schildkröte Ein Hase machte sich eines Tages über die Schildkröte lustig, weil sie so langsam war.
The Æsop for Children The Hare & the Tortoise A Hare was making fun of the Tortoise one day for being so slow.
"Kommst du überhaupt irgendwo an?", fragte er mit spöttischem Lachen.
"Do you ever get anywhere?" he asked with a mocking laugh.
"Ja", antwortete die Schildkröte, "und ich komme früher an, als du denkst. Ich fordere dich zu einem Wettlauf heraus und werde es beweisen."
"Yes," replied the Tortoise, "and I get there sooner than you think. I'll run you a race and prove it."
Languages
- The Tortoise and the Hare · English (original)205 words · ~5 min
- Die Schildkröte und der Hase · German202 words · ~5 min
- La liebre y la tortuga · SpanishB1 Intermediate · 199 words · ~5 min
- Le Lièvre et la Tortue · French207 words · ~5 min
- La lepre e la tartaruga · Italian199 words · ~5 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 Tortoise and the Hare 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, Spanish is B1 Intermediate. Levels follow the Common European Framework, from A1 (beginner) to C2.
- How long is it?
- About 205 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.