German · Intermediate
Adapted from The Nightingale
An emperor discovers the song of a living nightingale, then learns its value after replacing it with a machine.
Read and listen in German, with English alongside.
Sample free · Full edition included in a 3-day trial or membership. No card required for the trial.
Already have an account? Log in
Try the first scene with audio and English translations. No account needed.
Scene 1 · Intermediate
Diese Geschichte spielt vor sehr vielen Jahren in China. Der Kaiser und alle Menschen an seinem Hof waren Chinesen. Wir sollten die Geschichte jetzt erzählen, bevor sie in Vergessenheit gerät.
This story takes place in China many, many years ago. The emperor and everyone at his court were Chinese. We should tell the story now, before it is forgotten.
Der Kaiser besaß den schönsten Palast der Welt. Er war ganz aus kostbarem Porzellan gebaut, das so fein und zerbrechlich war, dass man es nur mit größter Vorsicht berühren durfte. Im Garten wuchsen außergewöhnliche Blumen. An ihnen hingen kleine silberne Glöckchen, deren Klang jeden Vorübergehenden auf die Blumen aufmerksam machte.
The emperor owned the most beautiful palace in the world. It was built entirely of precious porcelain, so fine and fragile that it could only be touched with the greatest care. Extraordinary flowers grew in the garden. Little silver bells hung from them, and their sound drew the attention of anyone passing by.
Alles in diesem Garten war bemerkenswert. Er war so riesig, dass nicht einmal der Gärtner wusste, wo er endete.
Everything in this garden was remarkable. It was so enormous that even the gardener didn’t know where it ended.
A 3-day trial or membership unlocks the full story and its available reading levels. No card required for the trial.
Continue readingOpen the reader, then choose a level in Reading options. Find a version you can follow comfortably, and return to the same story at a higher level when you are ready.
Yes. In Reading options, you can show the English translation beside or below the story, or hide it.
Your account saves your reading and audio position. You need to be signed in with a working connection to save your progress.
Read this story during your three-day full library trial or with membership. No card is required to start the trial, and there are no automatic charges.