Which languages can I read The Old Man and His Grandson 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 255 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 alte Großvater und der Enkel

Brothers Grimm

In each language: The Old Man and His Grandson · Der alte Großvater und der Enkel · El anciano y su nieto · Le Vieux Grand-père et son petit-fils · Il vecchio e il suo nipotino

A very old grandfather, whose trembling hands spill his broth, is made to sit in the corner behind the stove by his disgusted son and daughter-in-law. They give him a cheap wooden bowl to eat from. Then their little son starts gathering bits of wood on the floor.

In English, German, Spanish, French and Italian · about 250 words · 5 min to read.

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Come comincia

GermanEnglish

Der alte Mann und sein Enkel

The Old Man and His Grandson

Es war einmal ein sehr alter Mann, dessen Augen trüb geworden waren, dessen Ohren schwer hörten, dessen Knie zitterten, und wenn er bei Tisch saß, konnte er den Löffel kaum halten und verschüttete die Brühe auf dem Tischtuch oder ließ sie aus dem Mund laufen.

There was once a very old man, whose eyes had become dim, his ears dull of hearing, his knees trembled, and when he sat at table he could hardly hold the spoon, and spilt the broth upon the table-cloth or let it run out of his mouth.

Sein Sohn und dessen Frau ekelten sich davor, also musste der alte Großvater schließlich in der Ecke hinter dem Ofen sitzen, und sie gaben ihm sein Essen in einer irdenen Schüssel, und nicht einmal genug davon.

His son and his son’s wife were disgusted at this, so the old grandfather at last had to sit in the corner behind the stove, and they gave him his food in an earthenware bowl, and not even enough of it.

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

Languages

The Old Man and His Grandson · English (original)255 words · ~5 min
Der alte Großvater und der Enkel · GermanB1 Intermediate · 231 words · ~5 min
El anciano y su nieto · SpanishB1 Intermediate · 251 words · ~5 min
Le Vieux Grand-père et son petit-fils · FrenchB1 Intermediate · 247 words · ~5 min
Il vecchio e il suo nipotino · ItalianB1 Intermediate · 230 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 Old Man and His Grandson 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 255 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.