Which languages can I read The History of Tom Thumb 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 1,878 words: around 10–15 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

Die Geschichte von Däumling

Joseph Jacobs

In each language: The History of Tom Thumb · Die Geschichte von Däumling · La historia de Pulgarcito · Tom Pouce · La storia di Pollicino

A ploughman's wife wishes for a son, even one no bigger than a thumb, and the magician Merlin grants it. Tom never grows taller, but his mishaps carry him into a pudding, a cow's mouth, and eventually a fish that ends up on King Arthur's table.

In English, German, Spanish, French and Italian · about 1,900 words · 10–15 min to read.

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Sinistra · leggiDestra · di aiuto

Leggi in tedesco a sinistra. inglese è a destra per aiutarti e, mentre leggi, il pulsante a forma di occhio la sfoca o la nasconde.

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Come comincia

GermanEnglish

In den Tagen des großen Königs Artus lebte ein mächtiger Zauberer namens Merlin, der gelehrteste und geschickteste Magier, den die Welt je gesehen hat.

In the days of the great Prince Arthur, there lived a mighty magician, called Merlin, the most learned and skilful enchanter the world has ever seen.

Dieser berühmte Zauberer, der jede beliebige Gestalt annehmen konnte, reiste als armer Bettler umher. Da er sehr müde war, hielt er an der Hütte eines Pflügers, um sich auszuruhen, und bat um etwas zu essen.

This famous magician, who could take any form he pleased, was travelling about as a poor beggar, and being very tired, he stopped at the cottage of a ploughman to rest himself, and asked for some food.

Der Landmann hieß ihn willkommen, und seine Frau, eine sehr gutherzige Frau, brachte ihm bald etwas Milch in einer hölzernen Schale und etwas grobes braunes Brot auf einem Teller.

The countryman bade him welcome, and his wife, who was a very good-hearted woman, soon brought him some milk in a wooden bowl, and some coarse brown bread on a platter.

I paragrafi iniziali, come li mostra il lettore. Continua a leggere

Languages

The History of Tom Thumb · English (original)1,878 words · ~10 min
Die Geschichte von Däumling · GermanB1 Intermediate · 1,820 words · ~15 min
La historia de Pulgarcito · SpanishB1 Intermediate · 1,886 words · ~15 min
Tom Pouce · FrenchB1 Intermediate · 1,973 words · ~15 min
La storia di Pollicino · ItalianB1 Intermediate · 1,816 words · ~15 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 History of Tom Thumb 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 1,878 words: around 10–15 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.