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PODCAST

Simple Stories in Spanish

Small Town Spanish Teacher

Simple Stories in Spanish is a biweekly production of the Small Town Spanish Teacher. Listen along as she tells easy to understand stories to help you learn or practice the Spanish language. Wherever you are in your language journey, Simple Stories will help propel you forward. You can find transcripts of the stories at smalltownspanishteacher.com. You can support the creation of these stories by buying me a coffee (or taco!) https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SpanishTeacher

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All Episodes

17:22

Francisco de Goya

Simple Stories in Spanish ·

2026/09/21

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...

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17:24

Dentro de la cueva

Simple Stories in Spanish ·

2026/09/07

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: “...

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10:11

Told Faster: La leyenda de Huatyacuri

Simple Stories in Spanish ·

2026/08/16

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),...

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22:03

Los reyes de plata

Simple Stories in Spanish ·

2026/07/31

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” ...

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12:30

Told Faster: Maradona y la mano de Dios

Simple Stories in Spanish ·

2026/07/19

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...

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15:11

Roscoe Turner y el león volador

Simple Stories in Spanish ·

2026/05/31

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...

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19:23

El viaje largo

Simple Stories in Spanish ·

2026/04/26

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...

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21:57

Los animales de Costa Rica

Simple Stories in Spanish ·

2026/04/12

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...

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15:58

Mi viaje a México, parte 4

Simple Stories in Spanish ·

2026/03/22

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...

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15:13

Mi viaje a México, parte 3

Simple Stories in Spanish ·

2026/03/16

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” ...

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16:17

Mi viaje a México, parte 2

Simple Stories in Spanish ·

2026/03/09

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...

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16:28

Mi viaje a México, parte 1

Simple Stories in Spanish ·

2026/03/02

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”...

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18:40

La aventura de la vida, parte 11

Simple Stories in Spanish ·

2026/02/16

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...

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16:54

La aventura de la vida, parte 10

Simple Stories in Spanish ·

2026/02/01

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...

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19:58

La aventura de la vida, parte 9

Simple Stories in Spanish ·

2026/01/19

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...

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18:57

La aventura de la vida, parte 8

Simple Stories in Spanish ·

2026/01/04

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...

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19:47

La aventura de la vida, parte 7

Simple Stories in Spanish ·

2025/12/08

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...

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17:19

La aventura de la vida, parte 6

Simple Stories in Spanish ·

2025/11/24

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...

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19:10

La aventura de la vida, parte 5

Simple Stories in Spanish ·

2025/11/09

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). ...

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17:39

La aventura de la vida, parte 4

Simple Stories in Spanish ·

2025/10/26

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...

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210 results

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