German reading

German stories to read, by level

Real German, not textbook German: fairy tales from the Brothers Grimm at A2 and B1, Johann Peter Hebel's calendar stories and Theodor Storm at B2, Kafka at C1 and C2, Kleist at C2. Each comes with questions after every part and a glossary of the words that have changed meaning. All texts are in the public domain.

A2 · Elementary

• Der süße Brei Brüder Grimm, 1857 · 222 words
• Die Sterntaler Brüder Grimm, 1857 · 298 words
• Der alte Großvater und der Enkel Brüder Grimm, 1857 · 226 words

B1 · Intermediate - the level Germany asks for

• Rotkäppchen Brüder Grimm, 1857 · 1264 words
• Der Wolf und die sieben jungen Geißlein Brüder Grimm, 1857 · 1010 words
• Die Bremer Stadtmusikanten Brüder Grimm, 1857 · 1189 words
• Rumpelstilzchen Brüder Grimm, 1857 · 1004 words

B2 · Upper intermediate - work and vocational training

• Seltsamer Spazierritt Johann Peter Hebel, 1811 · 212 words
• Der kluge Richter Johann Peter Hebel, 1811 · 444 words
• Der kleine Häwelmann Theodor Storm, 1851 · 1276 words

C1 · Advanced - university

• Kannitverstan Johann Peter Hebel, 1811 · 846 words
• Vor dem Gesetz Franz Kafka, 1915 · 586 words
• Eine kaiserliche Botschaft Franz Kafka, 1919 · 320 words

C2 · Mastery

• Auf der Galerie Franz Kafka, 1919 · 287 words
• Das Bettelweib von Locarno Heinrich von Kleist, 1810 · 960 words

In the app the tutor reads along with you, asks the questions, explains the answers and the old words, and the stories count towards your reading progress.