Joseph Jacobs

Lazy Jack

Der faule Jack

Jack is so lazy that his mother threatens to turn him out unless he works for his porridge. Each day he earns a different wage and carries it home the wrong way, losing or spoiling it, and each time his mother tells him how he should have carried it. “I’ll do so another time,” he always answers.

B15 minAudio

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How it begins

EnglishGerman

Once upon a time there was a boy named Jack, and he lived with his mother on a common.

Es war einmal ein Junge namens Jack, und er lebte mit seiner Mutter auf einem Gemeindeland.

They were very poor, and the old woman made her living by spinning. But Jack was so lazy that he did nothing but lie in the sun in hot weather and sit by the corner of the fireplace in winter. So people called him Lazy Jack.

Sie waren sehr arm, und die alte Frau verdiente ihren Lebensunterhalt mit Spinnen. Aber Jack war so faul, dass er bei heißem Wetter nur in der Sonne lag und im Winter an der Ecke des Kamins saß. Deshalb nannten die Leute ihn den faulen Jack.

His mother couldn't get him to do anything for her. At last, one Monday, she told him that if he didn't start working for his porridge, she would throw him out to make his own living.

Seine Mutter konnte ihn zu nichts bewegen. Schließlich, an einem Montag, sagte sie ihm, dass sie ihn hinauswerfen würde, damit er seinen eigenen Lebensunterhalt verdiente, wenn er nicht anfing, für seinen Haferbrei zu arbeiten.

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

Languages

Lazy Jack · English (original)B1 Intermediate · 693 words · ~5 min · Audio
Der faule Jack · GermanB1 Intermediate · 679 words · ~5 min · Audio
Ο τεμπέλης Τζακ · GreekB1 Intermediate · 710 words · ~5 min
Jack el Perezoso · SpanishB1 Intermediate · 673 words · ~5 min · Audio
Jack le paresseux · FrenchB1 Intermediate · 743 words · ~5 min · Audio
आलसी जैक · HindiB1 Intermediate · 798 words · ~5 min
Jack si Pemalas · IndonesianB1 Intermediate · 619 words · ~5 min
Jack lo scansafatiche · ItalianB1 Intermediate · 699 words · ~5 min
なまけもののジャック · JapaneseB1 Intermediate
게으름뱅이 잭 · KoreanB1 Intermediate · 464 words · ~5 min
Luie Jack · DutchB1 Intermediate · 732 words · ~5 min
Leniwy Jack · PolishB1 Intermediate · 579 words · ~5 min
Jack Preguiçoso · PortugueseB1 Intermediate · 692 words · ~5 min
Jack cel leneș · RomanianB1 Intermediate · 695 words · ~5 min
Tembel Jack · TurkishB1 Intermediate · 524 words · ~5 min
Jack Lười Biếng · VietnameseB1 Intermediate · 843 words · ~5 min
懒汉杰克 · ChineseB1 Intermediate

Questions

Which languages can I read Lazy Jack 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 693 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.

Lazy Jack

How it begins

Languages

Questions

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