James Baldwin (1841–1925)

Damon and Pythias

Damon und Pythias

The tyrant Dionysius has the young Pythias thrown into prison and sets the day of his death. Pythias asks leave to say goodbye to his family far away, promising to come back. His friend Damon offers to take his place in prison and to die in his stead if Pythias fails to return.

B15 minAudio

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How it begins

EnglishGerman

A young man named Pythias had done something that the tyrant Dionysius did not like. For this offense he was dragged off to prison, and a day was set when he would be put to death.

Ein junger Mann namens Pythias hatte etwas getan, das dem Tyrannen Dionysius nicht gefiel. Wegen dieses Vergehens wurde er ins Gefängnis geschleppt, und man bestimmte einen Tag, an dem er getötet werden sollte.

His home was far away, and he wanted very much to see his father and mother and friends before he died.

Seine Heimat war weit entfernt, und er wollte seinen Vater, seine Mutter und seine Freunde unbedingt noch einmal sehen, bevor er starb.

"Just let me go home and say goodbye to the people I love," he said, "and then I'll come back and give up my life."

„Lass mich nur nach Hause gehen und mich von den Menschen verabschieden, die ich liebe“, sagte er, „und dann komme ich zurück und gebe mein Leben auf.“

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

Languages

Damon and Pythias · English (original)B1 Intermediate · 455 words · ~5 min · Audio
Damon und Pythias · GermanB1 Intermediate · 455 words · ~5 min · Audio
Δάμων και Φιντίας · GreekB1 Intermediate · 438 words · ~5 min
Damon y Pythias · SpanishB1 Intermediate · 424 words · ~5 min · Audio
Damon et Pythias · FrenchB1 Intermediate · 471 words · ~5 min · Audio
डेमन और पिथियस · HindiB1 Intermediate · 513 words · ~5 min
Damon dan Pythias · IndonesianB1 Intermediate · 390 words · ~5 min
Damon e Pythias · ItalianB1 Intermediate · 425 words · ~5 min
ダモンとピュシアス · JapaneseB1 Intermediate
다몬과 피티아스 · KoreanB1 Intermediate · 298 words · ~5 min
Damon en Pythias · DutchB1 Intermediate · 486 words · ~5 min
Damon i Pytiasz · PolishB1 Intermediate · 368 words · ~5 min
Damon e Pítias · PortugueseB1 Intermediate · 436 words · ~5 min
Damon și Pythias · RomanianB1 Intermediate · 469 words · ~5 min
Damon ve Pythias · TurkishB1 Intermediate · 304 words · ~5 min
Damon và Pythias · VietnameseB1 Intermediate · 497 words · ~5 min
达蒙和皮西亚斯 · ChineseB1 Intermediate

Questions

Which languages can I read Damon and Pythias in?

English, German, Greek, Spanish, French, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish, Vietnamese and Chinese. 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?

The original English is B1 Intermediate. In translation, German, Greek, Spanish, French, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish, Vietnamese and Chinese are B1 Intermediate. Levels follow the Common European Framework, from Pre-A1 (starter) to C2.

How long is it?

About 455 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 downloads (PDF, EPUB, and AZW3 and MOBI for Kindle) need a free account.

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.

Damon and Pythias

How it begins

Languages

Questions

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