A1 Spanish Stories
Start your journey with our A1 Spanish stories, designed for absolute beginners. This collection of simple Spanish texts with audio narration is the perfect reading practice to build your core vocabulary and understand basic grammar.
Culture & Travel
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¿A dónde va el sol durante la noche polar? Un invierno en Ushuaia, la ciudad del fin del mundo
Travel to the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia, and discover what happens when the sun almost disappears during the long winter nights.
¿Cómo se celebra un cumpleaños en México? Mi primera piñata.
Discover what a real birthday party in Mexico is like! Experience the excitement of seeing and breaking your very first piñata, a colorful and sweet tradition.
El Quetzal de Guatemala
Discover the Quetzal, the beautiful national bird of Guatemala. Learn why this vibrant animal with a very long tail is a powerful symbol of liberty.
La Tomatina de Buñol: Una Fiesta Roja y Divertida
Discover the story of Spain's messiest and most fun festival.
Mi Primera Piñata: Dulces y Sorpresas
Leo is at his first party in Mexico and discovers a mysterious, colorful star. Join him as he learns the tradition of the piñata and the sweet surprise hidden inside!
Mi primer 'cacerolazo': ¿Qué es todo ese ruido en mi calle en Santiago?
You're in your apartment in Santiago, Chile, when a loud, strange noise starts outside. You look out your window and see something you've never seen before.
Mi primer viaje en un 'carro de mulas': La aventura en las calles de Mijas
Discover the charming white village of Mijas, Spain, from a unique perspective. Join a traveler on their first ride in a traditional mule-drawn cart!
¿Por qué el semáforo de mi calle tiene una figura de poncho en vez de una persona? El secreto de los cholas y cholitas de La Paz
In La Paz, Bolivia, the traffic lights don't show a simple person; they show a figure with a hat and a big skirt. This is the story of the cholitas and why they are a symbol of the city.
¿Por qué mi abuela usa un rebozo en el mercado? Un día de colores y tradición en México
A young person visits a bustling market in Mexico with their grandmother and discovers the beauty and utility of a traditional garment called a rebozo. It's a colorful story about family, tradition, and everyday life.
¿Por qué mi primer mate está amargo? El secreto de la bombilla en Argentina
An American student in Argentina is confused when her first cup of mate tastes terrible. Her friend reveals a simple, but crucial, secret to preparing the famous drink correctly.
Music & Arts
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¿Cómo se baila la jota? Mi primer festival en Aragón.
A traveler experiences a traditional festival in Aragón, Spain, and gets a fun, spontaneous lesson in dancing the regional "jota."
Mi Primera Clase de Salsa
It's your first salsa class! The music is fast and you're a little nervous, but with a friendly teacher and a few fun mistakes, you might just fall in love with dancing.
Mi primera clase de dibujo: ¿Por qué mi cactus tiene bigote?
In your first drawing class, the teacher asks you to draw a cactus, but what happens when you decide your cactus needs a little something extra, like a mustache?
Mi primera vez escuchando cumbia: ¿Cómo me hizo bailar un ritmo colombiano?
A traveler in Colombia hears a new, exciting rhythm at a party. Discover cumbia music and see if its happy beat can make anyone get up and dance.
¿Por qué mi primer alebrije solo tiene un ala? Creando arte fantástico en Oaxaca
Discover the magical world of Oaxacan folk art and find out why a creative mistake can sometimes be the most beautiful part of your creation. Learn how to make your very own fantastic creature, an alebrije!
¿Quién pintó los murales de mi barrio? El secreto del arte callejero de Valparaíso
A young woman in Valparaíso, Chile, discovers the beautiful secret behind the colorful murals that decorate her city's streets. Who are the mysterious artists?
¿Quiénes son los 'Castellers'? Mi primera vez viendo una torre humana en Cataluña.
Discover the incredible 'Castellers' of Catalonia! Witness the creation of a spectacular human tower through the eyes of a first-time visitor in a bustling Spanish plaza.
Daily Life
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¿Dónde Está Mi Perro? Un Paseo por el Parque
A young man named Carlos is enjoying a day in the park with his dog, Paco. But when he looks away for just a moment, Paco is gone!
¿Dónde está la siesta? Mi primera tarde en una oficina en España
An American starts his first day at an office in Spain and is very confused when the afternoon arrives. Where is the famous Spanish siesta everyone talks about?
¿Por qué el burro de mi vecino baila flamenco? Un día en la granja de Andalucía
My neighbor's donkey has a strange talent: he loves to dance flamenco! Discover the secret behind this musical animal on a farm in sunny Andalusia.
¿Por qué hay una llama en la foto de mi pasaporte boliviano?
A person gets their new Bolivian passport and discovers a very unusual surprise in their official photograph. What begins as a strange mystery ends with a beautiful lesson about national identity and culture.
¿Por qué mi abuela esconde una flor en su bolsillo en el Día de las Madres? Un secreto familiar en Cuba.
Every Mother's Day in Cuba, a grandmother keeps a single white flower hidden in her pocket. Her grandchild finally asks why, uncovering a beautiful and simple family secret.
¿Por qué mi abuela siempre canta mientras cocina? Un día en su cocina española.
A grandchild discovers the secret ingredient that makes their grandmother's Spanish cooking so special, and it's not what you think. It's a story about family, tradition, and the simple joys of a shared meal.
Un Café y un Libro
A quiet afternoon, a good book, and a warm cup of coffee. Follow Carlos during his perfect, simple routine at his favorite café.
Mystery & Crime
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¿Dónde se esconde el fantasma de la Capilla del Hombre? Un secreto de Guayasamín en Ecuador.
Two friends visit a famous museum in Ecuador, but a strange noise makes them think they are not alone. Is it the ghost of the famous artist Guayasamín, or is there another secret hiding in the shadows?
¿Dónde se perdió el mapa del tesoro pirata en Cartagena de Indias?
A valuable pirate treasure map is missing from a museum in the beautiful city of Cartagena. A young detective looks for clues to solve the mystery.
El misterio del billete de 500 pesos: ¿Quién es el hombre con el sombrero?
A mysterious man with a hat appears on Mexico's 500 peso bill. But who is he, and why is he considered a national hero?
¿Quién se comió el queso? Un misterio en el mercado de San Miguel
A special cheese vanishes from a stall in Madrid's famous San Miguel Market. A young detective arrives to investigate the delicious crime and find the tiny culprit.
¿Quién se comió la última croqueta de mi abuela? Un misterio en la cocina española.
One perfect croquette remains on the plate. When it vanishes, a delicious family mystery begins, and everyone is a suspect.
¿Quién se llevó la castañuela de la abuela? Un misterio antes del flamenco
A special flamenco performance is about to start, but a precious castanet is missing. One girl must solve the mystery before the music begins.
¿Quién se llevó la paella? El misterio del domingo familiar en Valencia
A delicious paella disappears during a family lunch in Valencia. A young detective must solve the mystery of the missing dish before everyone goes hungry.
¿Quién se llevó mi cometa del festival de Sumpango? Un misterio en el cielo de Guatemala
A beautiful kite vanishes during Guatemala's famous Festival of Giant Kites in Sumpango. A young boy named Mateo needs to solve the mystery before the festival ends.
Sports
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El misterio de la pelota perdida: Un día de frontón en el País Vasco
Two friends are playing a traditional Basque sport when their special ball suddenly disappears. Can they solve the mystery before their game is over?
Mi Primer Partido de Fútbol
It's Marco's first big soccer game! He is excited but also nervous. Will he be able to help his team, 'Los Tigres', win the match?
¿Por qué mi abuelo llama 'la polla' a la lotería de fútbol en Chile? Un domingo de apuestas y goles
Ever wonder why a soccer lottery in Chile is called 'the hen'? Join a young boy and his grandfather for a Sunday of family tradition, soccer, and a surprising history lesson.
¿Puede un robot aprender a jugar a la petanca con mi abuelo? Un desafío en la plaza del pueblo
A boy brings his new robot to the town square to play a traditional game with his grandfather. Can a modern machine master a classic game of skill and tradition?
Food & Cuisine
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El misterio de las dos tortillas: ¿Por qué mi comida es diferente en México y España?
A traveler orders a 'tortilla' in Spain and then in Mexico, but gets two very different dishes. Discover the delicious secret behind the name.
Mi primer intento de hacer arepas: El secreto de la abuela venezolana.
Making arepas seems easy, but my first attempt is a disaster. Thankfully, my Venezuelan grandma has a special secret to make them perfect every time.
Mi primer intento de hacer guacamole: ¿Dónde está el aguacate perfecto?
Making guacamole sounds easy, but finding the perfect avocado is a real challenge. Follow along on a first attempt to make this famous Mexican dish.
Myths & Legends
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La leyenda del Ratoncito Pérez: ¿Quién se llevó mi diente y dejó una moneda?
When a child in Spain loses a tooth, a magical mouse visits them. Discover the story of Ratoncito Pérez and the special gift he leaves behind.
La leyenda del alux: ¿Quién esconde mis llaves en la selva de Yucatán?
In the Yucatán jungle, everyday objects disappear without a trace, and a local legend about small, mischievous spirits might hold the key to solving the mystery.
La leyenda del coquito: ¿Por qué mi abuela solo prepara esta bebida en Navidad en Puerto Rico?
In Puerto Rico, the delicious coconut drink coquito is only made at Christmas. A grandmother tells her grandchild the magical legend of why this tradition exists, a story that involves three famous kings.
¿Por qué el 'Duende' esconde los dulces en el bosque de Colombia? Una noche de juegos.
In the Colombian forest, a mischievous goblin plays a sweet game with the local children.
¿Por qué el fantasma de mi casa solo come patatas bravas? Un misterio en la cocina
A mysterious ghost lives in the kitchen, but it only has one strange craving. Can you solve the mystery of the ghost who only eats patatas bravas?
¿Por qué mi abuela guarda una semilla de aguacate en su monedero? Un secreto para la suerte.
A young person discovers their grandmother's secret for good luck, a curious object she always keeps in her coin purse. This tradition reveals a little piece of magic hidden in everyday life.
¿Por qué mi abuela le habla a sus plantas? El secreto del huerto familiar
A young boy discovers his grandmother's unusual habit in her garden and learns an old family legend about the magic of speaking to plants.
¿Por qué mi cactus habla solo en la noche? Un secreto del desierto de Atacama
In the silent nights of the Atacama Desert, a small cactus holds an ancient secret. It whispers stories of the past, but only a few know how to listen.
History
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¿Por qué el rey Carlos III es el 'Rey Alcalde' de Madrid? Un paseo por sus estatuas
Why is a Spanish king known as the best mayor of Madrid? Take a walk through the city and discover the incredible legacy of Carlos III.
¿Por qué mi abuelo pone un clavel rojo en la tumba de Antonio Machado?
A grandfather's simple ritual at a famous poet's grave reveals a quiet story of respect and memory.
¿Quién es el Cid Campeador? La historia de mi primera estatua favorita en Burgos
Discover the story of Spain's legendary hero, El Cid Campeador, through the eyes of a child visiting the grand statue in his honor in the city of Burgos.
¿Quién es el Señor de Sipán? Un misterio de oro y momias en Perú
Discover the incredible story of a powerful ancient king from Peru. Who was the Lord of Sipán, and what amazing treasures were buried with him?
Wildlife
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¿Por qué mi capibara solo quiere tomar mate? Un día en los Esteros del Iberá
A friendly capybara in Argentina has a strange new habit. What happens when it discovers the favorite drink of the locals?
¿Por qué mi llama mascota solo come maíz morado? Un día en mi granja de Cusco
A farmer in Cusco has a very special llama with a very particular taste. Discover the secret behind why this Andean animal only eats one type of food.
¿Por qué mi loro solo habla guaraní? El secreto de mi mascota bilingüe en Paraguay
A man in Paraguay has a parrot that doesn't speak Spanish. Discover the beautiful secret behind his parrot's mysterious language.