Simple Stories in Spanish

This third season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on legends. In the year 1531 the Virgen Mary appeared to humble Mexican peasant by the name of Juan Diego. She had a message for the bishop. Initially, he didn’t believe Juan Diego. He thought we has telling “mentiras” (lies), not “la verdad” (the truth). He asked for a “señal” (sign). Later, Juan Diego returned, and the Virgen’s image miraculously appeared on his tilma, or cloak. That image has become known as “La Virgen de Guadalupe” and is celebrated and honored every December. This religious legend repeats vocabulary such as “obispo” (bishop), “cura” (priest), “milagroso” (miraculous), and “iglesia” (church), The legend is mostly told in the past tense, with some present tense in the dialogue and at the end. 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/2020/12/07/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-leyenda-de-juan-diego-y-la-virgen-de-guadalupe/Support the show

This third season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on legends. Incan mythology tells of a mother of all living. She is la Pachamama, or Mother Earth. She controls fertility and the land and gives freely to those who give back to her and causes problems for those who take too much. This legend repeats vocabulary such as “mundo” (world), “tierra” (land/earth), “alimentar” (to feed), “dar” (to give), “tomar” (to take), “cuida” (care for), and “temblor” (earthquake). The second half ventures into the past tense with verbs such as “vio” (saw), “le gustaba” (he liked) “cazaba” (hunted) and “hablaron” (they spoke). 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/2020/11/30/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-leyenda-de-la-pachamama/Support the show

This third season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on legends. A tall young man strolls the plains in the Llanos region of Venezuela. He is the Silbón, or Whistler. You know he is near when his whistle (silbato) is faint, but you are safe when he whistles loudly. The origin of el Silbón is not for the faint of heart and explains why he also carries a sack of bones. Todays simple story embellishes the origin of el Silbón and his love of whistling (silbar). This legend repeats vocabulary such as “silba” (whistles), “venado” (deer), “cazar” (to hunt), “tripa” (tripe/intestines), and “cuerpo” (body). It even includes a few verbs in the past tense (cocinó = cooked, mataste = you killed). 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/2020/11/16/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-leyenda-del-silbon/Support the show

This third season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on legends. In the middle of the Guatemalan flag there is a beautiful green bird with a bright red chest and a long flowing tail. It is the quetzal, a symbol of liberty and a nahual, or spirit guide, of the Maya and Quiché people. Todays simple story explains one of the many legends surrounding this stunning bird. This legend repeats vocabulary such as “lucha” (fights), “cacique” (chieftain), “pecho” (chest), “guerreros” (warriors), and “va a” (is going to) to express the future. 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/2020/11/08/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-leyenda-de-quetzal/Support the show

This third season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on legends. In the mountains of Nicaragua, a young woman roams the mountains inviting young men to come see her treasure. Those who follow la Mocuana visit a cave full of gold before disappearing forever. Is la Mocuana evil, or just the victim of a broken heart? This legend repeats vocabulary such as “tesoro” (treasure), “oro” (gold), “se enamora” (falls in love), “tiene miedo” (is scared), and “cueva” (cave). 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/2020/11/03/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-leyenda-de-la-mocuana/Support the show

This third season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on legends. In southern Chile there is an island named Chiloé. The people of Chiloé are fishermen. Thus many of their legends focus on the sea. The most famous legend from Chiloé is about a ghost ship: the Caleuche. This ship is different from other stories of ghost ships because it is driven by a lovely mermaid who throws a party for her crew every night. But the way she gathers her crew, and their zombi-like state, is chilling. This legend features  seafaring vocabulary such as “océano” (ocean), “barco” (boat), “pescador” (fisherman), “pez” (fish), and “sirena” (mermaid). 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/2020/10/25/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-leyenda-del-caleuche/Support the show

This third season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on legends. Outside of Mexico City there are two impressive mountains. But perhaps, they are more than just mountains. According to legend, the mountains are two star-crossed lovers who couldn’t be together in life. Iztaccíhuatl is an extinct volcano while Popocatéptl is active, and watches over her. This story features repetitions some lesser known vocabulary such as “cacique” (tribal chief), “guerrero” (warrior) and “proteger” (protect), cognates such as “tribu” (tribe), “violento” (violent) and “batalla” (battle) and some hard to pronounce names! 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/2020/10/18/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-leyenda-de-iztaccihuatl-y-popocateptl/Support the show

This new season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on legends. The most well-known legend of the Spanish-speaking world is that of “La Llorona” or the weeping woman. She floats near water in search of her lost children. But you must be careful, because she may mistake you for one of her sons! This story features repetitions of the phrase “tiene miedo” (is scared) as well as the words “niño” (child), “mujer” (woman), “hombre” (man), “hijos” (sons/children) and “río” (river). 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/2020/10/10/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-llorona/Support the show

Who is the Small Town Spanish Teacher? This second season of personal simple stories continues with an answer to the question “what is my family like?” (¿Cómo es mi familia?). My family is very special to me. It is both small (pequeño) and big (grande). In this story I talk about my husband (esposo/marido) my sons (hijos), my sisters (hermanas), my brothers (hermanos) and my parents (padres). You can find a transcript of the story and read along at https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2020/09/15/simple-stories-in-spanish-como-es-mi-familia/Support the show

Who is the Small Town Spanish Teacher? This second season of personal simple stories continues with an answer to the question “where do I go?” (¿Adónde voy yo?). I go to many lugares (places) within my typical week or year when I have the opportunity. This episode features the verb “voy” (I go) with varias places (lugares) that I visit. Some of the places I go are mundane, such as the store (tienda) and work (trabajo). Other places are more exciting such as National Parks (parques nacionales) and other countries (países). Maybe you have been some of these places too. You can find a transcript of the story and read along at https://smalltownspanishteacher.com/2020/09/10/simple-stories-in-spanish-adonde-voy-yo/Support the show