Which languages can I read The Wolf and the Crane 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 188 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 Wolf und der Kranich

Aesop

In each language: The Wolf and the Crane · Der Wolf und der Kranich · El lobo y la grulla · Le Loup et la Cigogne · Il lupo e la gru

A wolf has feasted so greedily that a bone sticks crosswise in his throat, and he can get it neither up nor down. He hurries to the crane, sure that her long neck and bill can reach it, and promises her a handsome reward if she pulls it out.

In English, German, Spanish, French and Italian · about 200 words · 5 min to read.

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How it begins

GermanEnglish

Ein Wolf hatte sich beim Fressen zu gierig verhalten, und ein Knochen war ihm quer im Hals steckengeblieben. Er konnte ihn weder herauswürgen noch hinunterschlucken, und natürlich konnte er absolut nichts essen. Das war für einen gierigen Wolf natürlich ein schrecklicher Zustand.

A Wolf had been feasting too greedily, and a bone had stuck crosswise in his throat. He could get it neither up nor down, and of course he could not eat a thing. Naturally that was an awful state of affairs for a greedy Wolf.

Also eilte er zum Kranich. Er war sich sicher, dass dieser mit seinem langen Hals und Schnabel den Knochen leicht erreichen und herausziehen könnte.

So away he hurried to the Crane. He was sure that she, with her long neck and bill, would easily be able to reach the bone and pull it out.

"Ich werde dich sehr großzügig belohnen", sagte der Wolf, "wenn du diesen Knochen für mich herausziehst."

"I will reward you very handsomely," said the Wolf, "if you pull that bone out for me."

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

Languages

The Wolf and the Crane · English (original)188 words · ~5 min
Der Wolf und der Kranich · GermanB1 Intermediate · 183 words · ~5 min
El lobo y la grulla · SpanishB1 Intermediate · 189 words · ~5 min
Le Loup et la Cigogne · FrenchB1 Intermediate · 198 words · ~5 min
Il lupo e la gru · ItalianB1 Intermediate · 179 words · ~5 min

Open in the reader: German with English · Spanish with English · Spanish with Italian · 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 Wolf and the Crane 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 188 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.