Simple Stories in Spanish is a biweekly production of the Small Town Spanish Teacher. Listen along as she tells easy to understand stories to help you learn or practice the Spanish language. Wherever you are in your language journey, Simple Stories will help propel you forward. You can find transcripts of the stories at smalltownspanishteacher.com. You can support the creation of these stories by buying me a coffee (or taco!) https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SpanishTeacher
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The National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC has a lot to see. Tucked among the aircraft there is a display case with a lion. That lion is Gilmore. Gilmore, the flying lion (o león volador) flew more than 25,000 miles, including trips that broke speed records, with his owner Colonel Roscoe Turner, a daredevil pilot and aviation activist. This story is in the third person and past tense. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “avión” (plane), “pasajero” (passenger), “carrera” (race),“v...
Adrian is not looking forward to the long drive to his grandparents’ house. It takes forever and is so boring. But maybe this trip will be more interesting. Maybe he’ll see dinosaurs, or monster trucks, or aliens. Maybe he’ll even win a race. Probably not, but Adrian can always dream. This story is in the third person and present tense. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “viaje” (trip),“mochila” (backpack), “manejar” (to drive), “carretera” (highway), “aplastar” (to smash), “seguir” (to...
El podcast celebra el hito de 2.5 millones de descargas y 200 episodios antes de sumergirse en la rica vida silvestre de Costa Rica, un país pequeño pero con una biodiversidad excepcional. Se exploran las peculiaridades de animales como el perezoso, el manatí en peligro, las tortugas marinas, el coatimundi, el inteligente mono capuchino, el sociable tucán, el poderoso jaguar y el veloz lagarto basilisco. El episodio subraya la importancia de respetar y conservar estos animales esenciales para el ecosistema.
In June of 2025 I finally traveled to a place I have wanted to visit for some time: Mexico. The final stop on my Mexico trip was the one I was most excited about: Tulum. The smaller ruins of Tulum are picturesque, located right on the Caribbean coast. There is also a lot of nature to enjoy, and I got to see it up close with a boat ride and canal float. This story is in the first person and past tense. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “siglo” (century), “abejas” (bees), “miel” (honey),...
In June of 2025 I finally traveled to a place I have wanted to visit for some time: Mexico. In today’s leg of my trip, we left the ruins and the beach behind for a taste of lake life in Bacalar. As a Minnesota girl, I love lake life, and being in the small town of Bacalar was both soothing and uplifting in so many ways. This story is in the first person and past tense. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “apenas” (just, barely), “amanecer” (dawn, sunrise), “remar” (to row), “árbol” (tree...
En la segunda parte de su viaje a México, la anfitriona comparte su emocionante experiencia nadando en un cenote subterráneo. Luego, explora la hermosa y segura ciudad de Mérida, admirando su historia, arte y disfrutando de un espectáculo folclórico. El viaje continúa con visitas a las magníficas ruinas mayas de Uxmal y Kabah, culminando con una divertida noche de salsa en Mérida y agradecimientos a la audiencia.
En esta primera parte de su aventura en México, la anfitriona detalla su viaje en solitario. Describe su tiempo en Playa del Carmen y una decepcionante excursión en Cozumel, antes de reencontrarse con amigos. La historia continúa con el inicio de un tour para viajeros solitarios, destacando la impresionante visita a Chichen Itza, sus maravillas y algunas frustraciones, culminando con una auténtica experiencia culinaria y una noche tranquila en Valladolid.
They made it out of Xibalbá! They beat the odds, escaping the gods’ tricks and traps. They climbed the roots of the ceiba tree and found their way back to the land of the living. But this adventure isn’t over yet. This story is in the third person and present tense, with multiple other verb forms used as needed to tell the story. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “agarra” (grab), “gira” (rotate), “rugido” (growl), and “cenizas” (ash). No matter where you are in your language journey, s...
En la parte diez de La Aventura de la Vida, Sandra guía al grupo a través de un túnel oscuro, solo para descubrir que su aparente paraíso es otra trampa mortal de Xibalbá. Bajo amenaza con un cuchillo, Sandra identifica las raíces sagradas de la ceiba como la única salida. Una peligrosa escalada pone a prueba su fuerza y la lealtad de Gabriel, quien la rescata de una caída inminente. Finalmente, Sandra toma una decisión crucial para ayudar a su captor a pesar de sus acciones, asegurando la libertad de todos de la temible tierra.
They’ve done it! It appears that Sandra has led Gabriel to the Treasure of the Jaguar King - the whole reason they are on this journey. A room filled with gold and jewels greets them, but Sandra can’t help thinking it is another trap. And now that they have the treasure, how do they get out of Xibalbá? This adventure of a lifetime is not over yet. This story is in the third person and present tense, with multiple other verb forms used as needed to tell the story. Important vocabulary in the stor...
En esta octava parte de "La aventura de la vida", Sandra, Gabriel y los hombres restantes navegan por las trampas de Xibalbá. Son tentados por un banquete que se convierte en una pesadilla de gusanos y cenizas, y luego deben huir de un gigantesco alacrán de obsidiana que petrifica a uno de ellos. Escapan a una cueva repleta de jaguares, pero logran evadirlos gracias a una astuta distracción, solo para encontrarse con el asombroso tesoro del Rey Jaguar.
Xibalbá, the mayan underworld also known as “the place of fear”, is divided into rooms. Sandra and Gabriel, joined by the evil men hunting them, have already confronted the rooms of gloom, ice, and knives. Now they must make it through the rooms of bats and games without figuratively - or literally - losing their heads. This story is in the third person and present tense, with multiple other verb forms used as needed to tell the story. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “murciélago” (ba...
The only people to defeat the gods of Xibalba are the Hero Twins, and they did so by resurrecting themselves after being ground into dust. Sandra doesn’t like that option. She finds herself between evil men and a river of sacrificial blood. What other terrifying sights await her in this space the Mayans call “the place of fear”? This story is in the third person and present tense, with multiple other verb forms used as needed to tell the story. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “bravuc...
Sandra barely escaped death in an underground river. Now she and Gabriel must find their way out. Each twist and turn of the dark caverns brings them deeper into the underworld. This story is in the third person and present tense, with some present subjunctive and other verb forms used as needed to tell the story. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “oscuridad” (darkness),“susurrar” (to whisper), “conocimiento” (knowledge), “escalofriante” (scary), and “calaveras” (skulls). No matter whe...
Sandra and Gabriel have fallen through the floor of the grand pyramid of Chichen Itzá, El Castillo. After solving puzzles and more falling through the pyramids below El Castillo, they have found themselves in a cenote, or underground lake. How will they make it out of this situation before the evil men chasing them catch up? Does Sandra know anything that can help them? This story is in the third person and present tense, with other verb forms used as needed to tell the story. Important vocabula...
Sandra and Gabriel are hiding out in one of the may ruins of Chichen Itzá so they can climb El Castillo and enter the temple. Of course, finding the treasure of the Jaguar King won’t be so easy as Sandra quickly finds out. This story is in the third person and present tense. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “corazón” (heart),“rugido” (roar), “empujar” (to push), “jade” (jade), “calavera” (skull), “escalofrío” (shiver), and “relieve” (relief, stone art carving in the wall). No matter w...
On her way to Costa Rica, Sandra was pushed out of a plane and instead landed with a handsome stranger, Gabriel, in the Yucatan peninsula. Gabriel claims he needs Sandra’s help to find the treasure of the Jaguar King. His searching brings them to the ruins of the Mayan city Chichen Itzá. This story is in the third person and present tense. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “tesoro” (treasure),“coquetear” (to flirt), “jalar” (to pull), and “trono” (throne). No matter where you are in yo...
Sandra, una maestra estresada, planea unas relajantes vacaciones en Costa Rica. Durante su vuelo, un hombre apuesto llamado Gabriel interrumpe sus planes al sacarla del avión sobre Yucatán. Ahora, Sandra se encuentra en una situación de peligro, cuestionando las intenciones de Gabriel mientras él insiste en que la rescató y revela detalles sorprendentes sobre su vida, sugiriendo una inminente aventura.
Este episodio cuenta la historia de Daniel, un estudiante que no se esfuerza en la escuela y obtiene malas calificaciones. Sus padres intentan motivarlo, y un día, por casualidad, encuentra un cuaderno que parece mágico, proporcionándole las respuestas a sus preguntas. Impulsado por esta novedad, Daniel empieza a prestar más atención y a estudiar, descubriendo en el proceso que no necesita magia, sino su propio esfuerzo para triunfar académicamente.
Este episodio cuenta la historia de Hannah, una niña curiosa que, con la ayuda de su madre, explora el increíble viaje de las mariposas monarcas. Desde su avistamiento inicial hasta una visita a la biblioteca, Hannah aprende sobre su gran migración a México, las amenazas que enfrentan y la importancia de la planta algodoncillo. Inspirada, Hannah y su mamá crean un jardín para apoyar el ciclo de vida de estas hermosas mariposas, promoviendo su conservación.
If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I love hiking in nature. At the beginning of July I did a few really difficult hikes in the mountains. While they were hard, they were also stunningly beautiful. Today’s story recounts the poetic beauty I find when hiking on the trail. This story is in the first person and present tense. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “sendero” (trail),“árboles” (trees), “flores” (flowers), “cascada” (waterfall) and “sigue” (continues/follows). No matter ...
The story of the three little pigs, or los tres cerditos , is one of the first many kids learn. This story of hard work, personal responsibility, and delayed gratification never goes out of style. This story is told mostly in the past tense. Important vocabulary in the story includes: cerditos -little pigs, lobo -wolf, bosque - forest, paja -straw, madera -wood, ladrillos -bricks, and fuerte - strong. No matter where you are in your language journey, stories will help you on your way. You can fi...
In my recent trip to Mexico I learned about the aluxes, small elves that, according to Mayan folklore, protect the nature of the Yucatán Peninsula. Today’s story is about one of the aluxes and the mischief that they stir up when their environment is disturbed without their permission. This story is in the third person and present tense. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “alux” (mayan word for a spiritual little person that causes chaos or brings luck, depending on how you treat it), “c...
Este episodio narra la famosa historia de La Llorona en un español simple y a un ritmo más rápido. Sigue a un niño que camina a casa de noche, aterrorizado por los cuentos del fantasma. La historia detalla el trágico pasado de una hermosa mujer cuyas decisiones la llevan a convertirse en la mujer que llora, buscando a sus hijos ahogados junto a los ríos.
Se acaba el año escolar y la historia sigue a Imani mientras dice "hasta luego" a sus compañeros. Pronto se da cuenta de que no verá a algunos de ellos en el otoño. La historia explora la tristeza de decir adiós y la diferencia entre "hasta luego" y "adiós", reflexionando sobre el cambio como parte de la vida.
En este episodio, la narradora comparte cómo cuida su salud mental, destacando la importancia de ser consciente de su estado de ánimo y de realizar actividades que le traigan felicidad. Explica cómo lidia con la negatividad, la importancia del ejercicio físico, la lectura, la fe y la búsqueda de ayuda profesional cuando es necesario.
Shrin, de India, y Ana, de España, se conocen en Miami y se enamoran durante la pandemia. La historia sigue su relación, viajes juntos y cómo sus familias se unen en España. Finalmente, Shrin le propone matrimonio a Ana en la Costa Brava, sellando su amor y futuro juntos.
Este episodio relata la Semana Santa en Sevilla, explorando su significado religioso y cultural. Se describe las procesiones elaboradas, los roles de las cofradías y los nazarenos, y la importancia de los pasos, destacando la tradición y la belleza de esta celebración española.
Juan is a little cat. In a previous episode (El gatito valiente: https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2022/05/30/simple-stories-in-spanish-el-gatito-valiente/ ), Juan got separated from his family in a construction site. He was a shy, scared cat, but that experience made him brave and daring. Now Juan goes out of his way to explore the world around him. But he still prefers a good construction site. This story is in the third person and the present tense, with some past tense. Important vocabular...
Este episodio cuenta la historia de Juan, un gatito que se encuentra en un sitio de construcción y busca a su familia. A través de la aventura, Juan enfrenta miedos y se convierte en un gatito valiente. Finalmente, con la ayuda de trabajadores, se reúne con su familia en una caja familiar.
