Simple Stories in Spanish

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. Imp...

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),“m...

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.   T...

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 te...

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...

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 st...

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...

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”...

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” (ro...

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 tens...

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 m...

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...

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 ot...

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 w...

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...

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...

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” (trea...

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” (ais...

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 -te...

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, b...

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),“árb...

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 - st...

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 wor...

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 t...

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...