Simple Stories in Spanish

Dive into the whimsical world of Dave, a spirited young woman who engages in thrilling daily adventures, from monster trucking to performing in iconic venues. The story is a fun mix of present, past, and conditional tenses, focusing on vibrant activities and the calendar. Listen to enchanting tales while learning essential vocabulary related to weather and seasons. The joy of storytelling shines through as reflections on creativity are shared, inspiring listeners to explore their own narratives and immerse themselves in language learning.

Celebrate the adventures of Ramona, a clever capuchin monkey who lives on the beaches of Costa Rica and delights in her playful antics with tourists. This enchanting tale highlights her mischievous nature and the vibrant life around her. Alongside this fun narrative, there’s a heartfelt reflection on the power of storytelling in bridging language gaps, emphasizing the journey through Spanish. Join in the excitement of language learning, and appreciate the joy that stories bring to connect us all.

Isabel feels the weight of loneliness as she spends Christmas in a bustling city. When the power goes out, she lights candles and sings with her neighbors, creating a warm sense of community. Together, they share joy and carols, reminding each other of the true spirit of the season. The story beautifully showcases the importance of connection, compassion, and celebrating together, even when separated from family. It culminates in a heartfelt tribute to the joys of Christmas and the meaningful relationships that can blossom during this festive time.

Juan’s life feels monotonous until he hits 40 and decides to embrace adventure. He dives into extreme sports, exploring thrilling activities from skydiving to spelunking. Each risky attempt reveals his desire for excitement and ultimately leads him to a surprising passion for skiing. The journey from a boring routine to exhilarating experiences offers a delightful twist, showcasing self-discovery in mid-life.

Pablo Pavo is a lazy turkey. He lives in the woods and just wants to eat all day. The other woodland animals are worried about Pablo. They know hunting season is coming and Pablo needs to learn how to avoid humans. Each animal gives Pablo advice on how to stay safe. But, will Pablo listen?This story is in the third person and the present tense with multiple instances of the present subjunctive tense. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “pavo” (turkey), “consejo” (advice),“evitar” (to avoid), “cazar” (to hunt), and “patas” (legs/feet).No matter where you are in your language journey, stories will help you on your way. You can find a transcript of the story and read along at https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2024/11/25/simple-stories-in-spanish-el-pavo-flojo/ Support the show

Catalina, Gustavo, and Benjamín are trapped. Their only way out is to build a robot for the man who took them: Javier. But, Catalina and Gustavo have a different plan - one that will allow them to escape with their robot son and take down Javier in the process. Will they be able to pull it off?This story is in the third person and the present tense with some past, future, perfect, and subjunctive tenses as well. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “cerebro” (brain), “piel” (skin), “salir” (to leave), and “enciende” (ignite/turn on).No matter where you are in your language journey, stories will help you on your way. You can find a transcript of the story and read along at https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2024/11/05/simple-stories-in-spanish-el-hijo-robot-parte-6-conclusion/ Support the show

Catalina and Gustavo worked hard to bring their child Benjamín to life. After the neighbors discovered their secret, they were taken away to a secret location. Now, their son is being held hostage in a way to make them create more robots like him. Will Catalina and Gustavo find a way out?This story is in the third person and the present tense with some future, conditional, subjunctive, and perfect tense use as well. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “taller” (workshop), “cerebro” (brain), “tapar” (to cover), “confía” (trusts), and “mientras” (while).No matter where you are in your language journey, stories will help you on your way. You can find a transcript of the story and read along at https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2024/10/27/simple-stories-in-spanish-el-hijo-robot-parte-5/ Support the show

Benjamín faces the struggles of a robot child navigating school life, grappling with rejection and the search for acceptance. After a painful incident with peers, his family's drastic choices lead to a suspenseful confrontation. Meanwhile, the host expresses gratitude to listeners, highlighting how engaging stories enhance vocabulary and grammar learning. They encourage community involvement and sharing resources, fostering a sense of connection and support among their audience.

Catalina and Gustavo built a robot child. Now that child wants to go to school like other children. There are so many things that could go wrong, but they take the risk. Will it work? Will they be able to convince everyone that Benjamín is a normal 10-year-old child?This story is in the third person and the present tense with some future tense as well. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “ajustes” (adjustments), “vuelven” (return), “cuerpo” (body), and “seguro” (safe).No matter where you are in your language journey, stories will help you on your way. You can find a transcript of the story and read along at https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2024/09/11/simple-stories-in-spanish-el-hijo-robot-parte-3/ Support the show

Catalina and Gustavo want a child so badly that they build a robot together. They are so happy when everything works. They love spending time with their robot son, but he feels like something is missing.This story is in the third person and the present tense with some future tense as well. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “reemplazar” (replace), “jardín trasero” (backyard), “vecinos” (neighbors), “rostro” (face), and “herida” (wound).No matter where you are in your language journey, stories will help you on your way. You can find a transcript of the story and read along at https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2024/08/28/simple-stories-in-spanish-el-hijo-robot-parte-2/ Support the show