La Cena
Tonight, the Rodríguez family is preparing a special dinner. Grandmother cooks her famous paella, brimming with fresh seafood.
What you'll learn
- Bilingual graded story
- Native narration
- 6 useful words
- 5 comprehension questions
Then shadow
Borrow the narrator’s rhythm
Pause after this line and repeat it aloud without translating. Aim for three clean repetitions.
1Listen first
Hear the whole story
Native Spanish narration of this exact text. Keep the transcript visible on the first pass.
Playback speed: Natural
2Then shadow
Esta noche, la familia Rodríguez prepara una cena especial. La abuela cocina su famosa paella, llena de mariscos frescos.Your speaking goal
Describe a family meal and thank the person who prepared it.
- “necesita más azafrán”
- “se sienta a la mesa”
- “Gracias por esta deliciosa comida, abuela”
Your Spanish story
Tap highlighted words when you need help
Esta noche, la familia Rodríguez prepara una especial. La cocina su famosa paella, llena de mariscos frescos. El abuelo arregla la con platos blancos y vasos de cristal. Los niños ayudan a lavar las verduras, riendo y salpicando agua. «La paella necesita más azafrán», comenta la abuela con una sonrisa. El a azafrán y mariscos llena la cocina. Toda la familia se sienta a la mesa, ansiosa por comer. «Gracias por esta deliciosa comida, abuela», dice el padre con gratitud. Todos disfrutan y hablan sobre su día lleno de aventuras. Los niños historias emocionantes del colegio. La abuela sonríe, escuchando con atención. Esta es su parte favorita del día: la familia , feliz.
Show full English translation
Tonight, the Rodríguez family is preparing a special dinner. Grandmother cooks her famous paella, brimming with fresh seafood. Grandfather arranges the table with white plates and crystal glasses. The children help wash the vegetables, laughing and splashing water. “The paella needs more saffron,” Grandmother remarks with a smile. The scent of saffron and seafood fills the kitchen. The whole family sits at the table, eager to eat. “Thank you for this delicious meal, Grandmother,” the father says gratefully. Everyone enjoys the meal and talks about their day. The children share exciting stories from school. Grandmother smiles, listening attentively. This is her favorite part of the day: the family together, happy.
Vocabulary recap
Reading Comprehension Exercise
A1 Spanish Reading Comprehension Exercises
1. What does the grandmother prepare for dinner?
Correct: Paella
The grandmother prepares her famous paella, a traditional Spanish dish.
2. What do the children do while helping in the kitchen?
Correct: Wash the vegetables
The children help wash the vegetables, laughing and splashing water.
3. What does the father say to the grandmother during dinner?
Correct: Thanks for this delicious meal
The father thanks the grandmother for the delicious meal.
4. Which ingredient does the grandmother say the paella needs more of?
Correct: Saffron
Saffron is a key ingredient in paella, giving it its distinctive color.
5. How does the grandmother feel at the end of the day?
Correct: Happy
The grandmother feels happy seeing her family together enjoying dinner.
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Mini-lesson complete
You understood 5 of 5 questions.
That is 118 real Spanish words read in context.
- ✓ 118 words read
- 6 new expressions
- 2 grammar patterns
- A1 level unlocked
- ○ Narration ready
- 0 shadowing reps
Ready for tomorrow’s story?Hear it, shadow the narrator, and lock these words into memory in MeloLingua.
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| What you get | FreeThis story | Full loopMeloLingua app |
|---|---|---|
| Understand every sentence instantly | Bilingual reader, tap to translate | Interactive reader with word-by-word explanations |
| Know exactly why each word works | Basic translation in context | Translation, grammar, conjugation & usage examples |
| Train your ear with native audio | Studio narration — slow, normal, fast | Listen, follow along, and shadow the narrator |
| Speak like a native while reading | Read aloud on your own | Real-time pronunciation feedback |
| Turn what you read into what you can say | Not included | Build sentences from the story you just read |
| Never forget today's vocabulary | In-story glossary + comprehension quiz | Flashcards & spaced review from story lines |
| Read stories about your real life | Not included | Stories matched to your level and interests |
| Feel yourself improve every day | Not included | Streaks, goals, and your full learning history |
| Result | Enjoy a great story | Actually speak with confidence |
Understand every sentence instantly
Know exactly why each word works
Train your ear with native audio
Speak like a native while reading
Turn what you read into what you can say
Never forget today's vocabulary
Read stories about your real life
Feel yourself improve every day
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A surfer hunts secret waves across the world.
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An astronaut enters the first intergalactic grappling tournament.
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