Simple Stories in Spanish

Latest Episodes:

Capítulo 2: Las abejas Sep 12, 2021

Show notes

I wrote a short novel called “La aventura de Zunzuncito”. For this fifth season of Simple Stories in Spanish, I will be sharing a chapter from the novel each week. This week is chapter 2! Zunzuncito, one of the tiniest hummingbirds in the world, flits from flower to flower in search of delicious nectar. However, some flowers are occupied by larger hummingbirds and insects. In this second chapter of “La aventura de Zunzuncito”, our tiny bee hummingbird finds himself in a battle for nectar with his namesake bees.

This story is told in the the present tense. Repeated words and phrases include “pájaro” (bird), “colibrí” (hummingbird), “alas” (wings), “vuela” (flies - verb), “flores” (flowers), “abejas" (bees), and “aguijones” (stingers). 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/2021/09/12/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-zunzuncito-capitulo-2/

¡Muchas gracias por escuchar! Thank you for listening, and a HUGE thank you for your support. I really enjoy creating and sharing simple, comprehensible stories in Spanish. If you would like to help me in that endeavor, consider buying me a taco at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SpanishTeacher

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Capítulo 1: El colibrí más pequeño Sep 06, 2021

Show notes

I wrote a short novel called “La aventura de Zunzuncito”. For this fifth season of Simple Stories in Spanish, I will be sharing a chapter from the novel each week. This week is chapter 1! Zunzuncito is one of the tiniest hummingbirds in the world. Some might think he spends all his time happily sucking nectar from flowers, and they are not wrong. However, sometimes insects and even other hummingbirds get in between Zunzuncito and his dinner.

This story is told in the the present tense. Repeated words and phrases include “pájaro” (bird), “colibrí” (hummingbird), alas” (wings), “vuela” (flies - verb) and “flores” (flowers). 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/2021/09/06/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-zunzuncito-capitulo-1/

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La aventura de Zunzuncito - Una introducción Aug 29, 2021

Show notes

Welcome to the fifth season of Simple Stories in Spanish! The island nation of Cuba is full of amazing animals. One of the most fascinating is the tiny bee hummingbird, also called the zunzuncito. I was inspired by this little hummingbird and, with some motivation from my students, I wrote a short novel called “La aventura de Zunzuncito”. For this fifth season of Simple Stories in Spanish, I will be sharing a chapter from the novel each week.

This story is told in the the present tense. Repeated words and phrases include “pájaro” (bird), “colibrí” (hummingbird), “ranita” (little frog), and “flor” (flower). 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/2021/08/29/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-aventura-de-zunzuncito/

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El Día de los Reyes Magos Aug 15, 2021

Show notes

This fourth season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on celebrations. While not necessarily historically accurate, January 6th marks the day that the wise men gave their gifts of frankincense, gold and myrrh to the baby Jesus. This moment is celebrated as “el Día de los Reyes Magos”. While other kids around the world get presents from Santa on Christmas, kids in the Spanish-speaking world are waiting for gifts from the reyes magos. They leave out their shoes with hay for the camels and wake up to find presents left by the kings.

This story is told in the the present tense. Repeated words and phrases include “enero” (January), “regalo” (gift), “reyes” (kings), and “magos” (magi/wise men). 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/2021/08/15/simple-stories-in-spanish-el-dia-de-los-reyes-magos/

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La Semana Santa Aug 08, 2021

Show notes

This fourth season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on celebrations. Semana Santa, or “Holy Week” occurs the week before Easter. While it is a religious celebration all over the world, the most grand Semana Santa arguably is in Sevilla, España. The week is filled with processions of penitents and pasos that depict the events leading to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. While it is a very religious event, you do not need to be religious to appreciate the history and culture of one of the longest living Spanish traditions.

This story is told in the the present tense. Repeated words and phrases include “paso” (religious float), “Pascua Florida” (Easter), “llevar” (to wear), “cruz” (cross), and “cofradía” (brotherhood). 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/2021/08/09/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-semana-santa/

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La Fiesta de Santo Tomás Aug 01, 2021

Show notes

This fourth season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on celebrations. ¡Hola y bienvenidos a este episodio de Simple Stories in Spanish! Saint Thomas, or Santo Tomás, is the patron saint of Chichicastenango, Guatemala. The locals celebrate their patron saint with a variety of dances. Each dance has its own origen and theme, although with some similarities. The dancers wear bright costumes and they also wear realistic looking masks that cover their whole face with a painted one.

This story is told in the the present and past tenses. Repeated words and phrases include “mercado” (market), “escaleras” (stairs), “llevar” (to wear), “bailarines” (dancers), and “baile/danza” (dance). 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/2021/08/01/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-fiesta-de-santo-tomas/

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La celebración del Día de la Virgen de Suyapa Jul 25, 2021

Show notes

This fourth season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on celebrations. While it is not a big, crazy party, the Día de la Virgen de Suyapa is an important celebration in the nation of Honduras. La Virgen de Suyapa was the name given to a small statue of the Virgin Mary that a boy discovered on the outskirts of the capital Tegucigalpa. Today, that discovery is marked with a celebration outside of the basilica and a large fair.

This story is told in the the present and past tenses. Repeated words and phrases include “estatuilla” (figurine), “peregrinaje” (pilgrimage), “rezar” (pray), “dulces” (sweets), “cómodo” (comfortable), and “milagro” (miracle). 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/2021/07/25/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-celebracion-del-dia-de-la-virgen-de-suyapa/

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Las celebraciones folklóricas de Panamá Jul 11, 2021

Show notes

This fourth season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on celebrations. In the last 70 years, Panama has made a big effort to preserve its past. One way to remember the customs of the past and ensure their existence in the future is to create celebrations centered around them. Thus we find celebrations about agriculture, greetings and even clothing throughout the country of Panamá.

This story is told in the the present and past tenses. Repeated words and phrases include “costumbres” (customs), “artesanías” (crafts), “ropa” (clothing), “concursos” (competitions), and “alrededor” (around/surrounding). 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/2021/07/11/simple-stories-in-spanish-las-celebraciones-folkloricas-de-panama/

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La celebración del Día de los Muertos en Guatemala Jul 04, 2021

Show notes

This fourth season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on celebrations. El Día de los Muertos, is a celebration most commonly associated with the county of Mexico. However, Día de los Muertos, or “Day of the Dead” is actually celebrated throughout Central America as well. While some of the traditions and beliefs are similar, each region gives the celebration its own flavor. Today we will look at the Día de los Muertos celebrations in the country of Guatemala.
This story is told in the the present and past tenses. Repeated words and phrases include “los muertos” (the dead), “los vivos” (the living), “mundo” (world), “carrera” (race), and “barrilete” / “cometa” (kite). 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/2021/07/04/simple-stories-in-spanish-el-dia-de-los-muertos-en-guatemala/
¡Muchas gracias por escuchar! Thank you for listening, and a HUGE thank you for your support. I really enjoy creating and sharing simple, comprehensible stories in Spanish. If you would like to help me in that endeavor, consider buying me a taco at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SpanishTeacher

Support the show

La celebración de Día de Muertos en México Jun 27, 2021

Show notes

This fourth season of Simple Stories in Spanish is focusing on celebrations. The celebration of Day of the Dead, or Día de Muertos, is a bright, colorful festivity to remember and honor those who have passed away. To celebrate deceased ancestors, graves are cleaned and decorated, altars with offerings of food and drink are constructed, and faces are painted to make the dead feel comfortable and welcome as they visit the land of the living for the day. Today’s podcast will focus on how Day of the Dead is celebrated in Mexico.

This story is told in the the present and past tenses. Repeated words and phrases include “los muertos” (the dead), “muerte” (death), “vida” (life), “cempasúchil” (marigolds), “velas” (candles) and “mundo” (world). 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/2021/06/27/simple-stories-in-spanish-la-celebracion-de-dia-de-muertos-en-mexico/

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