Classic
Der Wolf und die sieben jungen Geißlein
Brothers Grimm
In each language: The Wolf and the Seven Little Kids · Der Wolf und die sieben jungen Geißlein · El lobo y los siete cabritillos · Le Loup et les Sept Chevreaux · Il lupo e i sette capretti
An old goat with seven little kids goes into the forest to fetch food. Before she leaves, she warns them to beware of the wolf, who may disguise himself but can be known by his rough voice and black feet. Soon someone knocks at the door, claiming to be their mother.
In English, German, Spanish, French and Italian · about 1,100 words · 5–10 min to read.
Read it
Tu lis en allemand, à gauche. À droite, tu as le texte en anglais pour t’aider ; pendant la lecture, le bouton en forme d’œil le floute ou le masque.
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Comment ça commence
Es war einmal eine alte Geiß, die hatte sieben junge Geißlein und hatte sie lieb, wie eine Mutter ihre Kinder lieb hat. Eines Tages wollte sie in den Wald gehen und Futter holen.
There was once upon a time an old goat who had seven little kids, and loved them with all the love of a mother for her children. One day she wanted to go into the forest and fetch some food.
Da rief sie alle sieben herbei und sprach: „Liebe Kinder, ich will hinaus in den Wald, seid auf der Hut vor dem Wolf; wenn er hereinkommt, frisst er euch alle mit Haut und Haar.
So she called all seven to her and said: ‘Dear children, I have to go into the forest, be on your guard against the wolf; if he comes in, he will devour you all—skin, hair, and everything.
Der Bösewicht verstellt sich oft, aber an der rauen Stimme und an den schwarzen Füßen werdet ihr ihn gleich erkennen.“ Die Geißlein sagten: „Liebe Mutter, wir wollen uns schon in Acht nehmen; Ihr könnt ohne Sorge fortgehen.“
The wretch often disguises himself, but you will know him at once by his rough voice and his black feet.’ The kids said: ‘Dear mother, we will take good care of ourselves; you may go away without any anxiety.’
Languages
- The Wolf and the Seven Little Kids · English (original)1,106 words · ~5 min
- Der Wolf und die sieben jungen Geißlein · GermanB1 Intermediate · 1,001 words · ~10 min
- El lobo y los siete cabritillos · SpanishB1 Intermediate · 1,021 words · ~10 min
- Le Loup et les Sept Chevreaux · FrenchB1 Intermediate · 1,117 words · ~10 min
- Il lupo e i sette capretti · ItalianB1 Intermediate · 998 words · ~10 min
Open in the reader: German with English · Spanish with English · French with English · Italian with English
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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 Seven Little Kids 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 1,106 words: around 5–10 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.