Simple Stories in Spanish

I consider myself to be a strong person, but there are still many things that scare me. Most things that scare me are pretty typical, like horror movies, and the dark. Other things I don’t want to scare me, so I do my best to overcome them, such as heights or moving fast on skis. This story is in the first person and present tense. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “me asusta” (scares me), “miedo” (fear), “espantoso” (scary), “escalofrío” (shiver), “oscuridad” (darkness), “patas” ...

One of my favorite Spanish artists is Francisco de Goya. He created light hearted paintings of picnics and beautiful religious scenes, but also dark, sometimes disturbing, etchings of war and social injustice. Goya lived in a tumultuous time in Spain, and he witnessed many sad moments in history and in his own life. Like many artists, Goya captured these moments through painting, drawing, and etching. This story is in the third person and past tense. Important vocabulary in the story includ...

Mexico has cenotes and Belize has caves. Both of these spaces were sacred to the Mayan people, serving as places to connect with the gods as well as entrances into Xibalba, the Mayan underworld. While in Belize, I entered three caves: one on a tube, one in a canoe, and one on foot. All three were filled with water and were places of offerings to the Mayan gods, yet each cave was also very unique. This story is in the first person and past tense. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “...

Huatyacuri lived a lonely life in the Andes mountains. While his father, Pariacaca, the god of wind and storms, loved him, he could not physically hug him, as he only existed in the wind, rain and snow. Huatyacuri longed for ams to hold him. Then he met the beautiful Chaupiñaca and called upon his father to help him overcome the trials presented by her brother Kamachiq to be able to marry her. This story is retold in the past tense. Important vocabulary in the story includes: viento (wind),...

The state of Colorado exists in large part because of the gold and silver rush that began in 1858. Many ruins of abandoned mining towns and operations can be found throughout the Rocky Mountains. Few people actually became rich, but one family in Colorado experienced a monumental rise in wealth. However, like most mining endeavors, the “boom” was quickly followed by a “bust”. This story is in the third person and past tense. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “oro” (gold), “plata” ...

Every four years the FIFA World Cup attracts a world-wide audience. And every FIFA World Cup also attracts controversy. Forty years ago, in 1986, the games in Mexico had their fair share of controversy, as well as amazing moments, surrounding Diego Maradona. Maradona is one of the greatest footballers, or soccer players, of all time. He started playing professionally just before his 16th birthday. He was already a popular player when he arrived at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. However, it wou...

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...

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...

Every year when I teach my students about Costa Rica we spend time learning about the fascinating animals of Central America. I was reminded of these amazing animals recently when I visited the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington DC. Costa Rica is home to incredible biodiversity and intriguing animals. Today’s story investigates 8 of these animals and their unique characteristics. This story is in the third person and present tense. Important vocabulary in the story incl...

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” (ho...

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” ...

In June of 2025 I finally traveled to a place I have wanted to visit for some time: Mexico. My trip to Mexico began with the beach and then the impressive ruins of Chichén Itzá. However, the best moments of the trip were yet to come, including a magical cenote and a more intimate experience with beautiful Mayan ruins. This story is in the first person and past tense. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “cenote” (spring fed lake), “piedra” (stone), and “edificio” (building). No mat...

In June of 2025 I finally traveled to a place I have wanted to visit for some time: Mexico. It was an amazing adventure filled with history, food, fun, and friendship. It inspired several story ideas, some of which you have already heard and will probably recognize, and some that are still in the works. Above all, this trip to Mexico reminded me of why I love to travel. This story is in the first person and past tense. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “solitario” (lone), “viajar”...

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 jou...

Sandra is ready to leave Xibalbá. She is tired of the riddles and rooms full of tricks. She feels that they are close to the exit, but she also knows that leaving Xibalbá will never be as easy as it looks. 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: “cuchillo” (knife), “raíces” (roots), “salida” (exit), and “gruñir” (to growl). No matter where you are in your language jour...

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...

In Xibalbá it is easy to lose your head, both figuratively and literally as Sandra has already discovered. She and her companions have made it through several rooms, but there is no end in sight. The purpose of Xibalbá is to remove home and induce fear. What other tricks and traps have the gods of Xibalbá prepared to torment their guests? 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 in...

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...

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: “b...

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). ...

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. Importa...

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 m...

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 ar...

Sandra is a Spanish teacher on her way to Costa Rica for a much needed vacation. But Sandra’s plans are interrupted when a handsome stranger pushes her out of the airplane over the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico. Now she is in for the adventure of her life. This story is in the third person and present tense. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “asiento” (seat),“avión” (plane), “pasillo” (aisle), “agarra” (grab) and “refugiar” (to take shelter). No matter where you are in your langua...

Some students feel that they just don’t know anything, so why even try? Perhaps they just need a little bit of motivation and confidence. Daniel is not the smartest student, but he finds inspiration through a magic notebook. Through his magic notebook, he finds a recipe for success. This story is told in the present tense. Important vocabulary in the story includes: cuaderno -notebook, maestro -teacher, mochila -backpack, and respuesta -answer. No matter where you are in your language journey...

Hannah is a curious girl. When a butterfly lands in her back yard, she wants to learn all about it. After visiting the library, she learns that these butterflies are special and that they fly all the way to Mexico from Canada. What else will she learn about the mariposa monarca? This story is told in the present tense. Important vocabulary in the story includes: mariposa -butterfly, alas -wings, biblioteca -library, algodoncillo -milkweed, and oruga -caterpillar. No matter where you are in yo...

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 ...

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...

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...

Scary stories exist in every language, in every country. In the Spanish speaking world, none is more well known or widespread than the story of the weeping woman, La Llorona. La Llorona haunts rivers and lakes as she searches for her drowned children. If she can’t find them, she might just grab you. This story is told in the third person using the present and past tenses. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “tiene miedo” (is scared), “niño” (child), “mujer” (woman), “hombre” (man), ...

The end of the school year sparks excitement for summer break, but it can also cause some sadness and students and teachers say goodbye - some for the summer, some for longer. Imani walks through the halls chanting “hasta luego” (see you later) to those she passes, until she realizes that she might not actually “see” some of them in the future. Will she have to say goodbye? This story is told in the third person using the present tense. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “com...

I care a lot about mental health. I usually feel like I have a good grasp of my own mental health, but there are days I want to ignore the world and all my responsibilities in it. I have many activities that help boost my mental health and today I would like to share a few. This story is told in the first person using mostly the present tense. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “me siento” (I feel), “salud” (health), “levantar pesas” (lift weights), and “felicidad” (happiness). N...

Srin is from India, Anna is from Spain. They met on the beach in Miami. Since that first meeting, they have become inseparable. Now they are ready for the next chapter in life’s adventure. This story is in the third person and includes multiple tenses, including present, past, perfect and future. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “ambos” (both),“pandemia” (pandemic), and “media naranja” (“other half”). No matter where you are in your language journey, stories will help you ...

This episode is a faster retell of La Semana Santa from season 4. 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...

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 voca...

This episode is a faster retell of El gatito valiente from season. Juan is a little cat. He thought today would be like any other day exploring with his family, but instead he woke up to discover that is home became a construction site! Will he be able to make his way through the heavy equipment and find his family? This story is in the third person and the present tense. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “viga” (beam),“tierra” (dirt), “borde” (edge), “busca” (looks for), “grúa” (...

My son wrote a research story for his 5th grade class about black panthers. Through his writing I learned a lot about black panthers that I didn’t know before, like they are actually jaguars and leopards, not their own species! I enjoyed the story so much that I asked him to tell it with me. This story is in the third person and the present tense. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “pantera” (panther),“depredador” (predator), “presa” (prey), “hogar” (home), and “genial” (cool/...

This episode is a faster retell of the celebration of Las Fallas. One of my favorite fiestas occurs in March in the city of Valencia, España. San José (St. Joseph) is the patron saint of Valencia and in his honor, they build impressive life-like sculptures. They also decorate a tall statue of the Virgen María with sweet-smelling carnations and light up the sky with “fuegos artificiales”, or fireworks. This legend is told in the both the present and past tenses. Repeated words and phrases in...

Every now and again I am sent a story by a listener. Today’s fascinating, true story comes from Sharon. The Florida Everglades is facing a big problem. Many of its native species are being killed off by Burmese pythons. However, a dog named Greg is helping to clear to Everglades of this stealthy predator, hunting down snakes invisible to the naked eye. This story is in the third person and the present and past tenses. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “piton” (python),“pantano” ...

One of my favorite activities is to create stories with my students. Today’s was created by my Spanish 1 college class. You can see illustrations of our class story on my website through the link in the show notes. Dave is a fun-loving, active young woman. She does a different activity every day of the week. Her activities take her all over the world. This story is in the third person and the present tense with a little bit of past and conditional tenses. Please suspend all logic as the p...

Today celebrates 5 years of Simple Stories in Spanish! In honor of its 5th anniversary, I have decided to retell one of my favorite stories from season 1. This story was inspired by the capuchin monkeys that I saw all over Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica. Who doesn’t enjoy a day at the beach? Ramona certainly does. She goes to the beach every day and watches all the tourists. But Ramona isn’t just anybody, she is a capuchin monkey and is very famous for her thieving ways. This ...

Juan lives a boring life in a boring house, driving a boring car to a boring job. When he turns 40, he decides that it is time to do something exciting, so he turns to the world of extreme sports. This story is in the third person and the present tense with a sprinkling of past and future. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “aburrida” (boring),“deportes” (sports), “paracaidismo” (skydiving), “espeleología” (spelunking), and “buceo” (scuba diving). No matter where you are in your ...

Isabel wishes she were home for Christmas instead of all alone in a big city. She knows that other people in her apartment building are also alone, so when the electricity goes out, she decides to spread light and joy through candles and song. This story is in the third person and the present tense. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “siente” (feels),“vecinos” (neighbors), “velas” (candles),“caja” (box), “Navidad” (Christmas), “Nochebuena” (Christmas Eve, and “villancicos” (carols)...

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” (...

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), ...

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”...

Benjamín is not like other children. He goes to school and enjoys playing, but he is not a normal child: he is a robot child. He had an accident in front of his friend Elian. Now, Elian and other kids are whispering about him and calling him a monster. Catalina and Gustavo are willing to do anything to protect their little family, but will it be enough? This story is in the third person and the present tense with some future tense and subjunctive as well. Important vocabulary in the story i...

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 ...

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 j...

Catalina and Gustavo are very happy together, but something, or someone, is missing. When they learn they can’t have children, Catalina decides they should build a child, not a monster like Frankenstein, but a robot child. This story is in the third person and the present tense with some future tense as well. Important vocabulary in the story includes: “funciona” (works/functions), “crear” (create), “piel” (skin), “cerebro” (brain), and “á” and “emos” at the end of a verb (will). No matter wh...