A22 min · 128 words

Pověst o praotci Čechovi

The Legend of Forefather Čech

One of the oldest Czech legends: fleeing war and poverty, a wandering people led by the brothers Čech and Lech reach Mount Říp, where Čech climbs up, sees a green land of milk and honey, and founds Bohemia.

You will practice: Past-tense narration (hledali, šli, vylezl, usadili se), přes/k + cases for movement (přes hory, k hoře), and the instrumental in the predicate (je důležitým symbolem).

Words to know

Skim these before you read — they carry the story. Tap the star to add one to your saved words.

  • pověstlegend, tale
  • praotecforefather, patriarch
  • domovhome
  • zeměland, country
  • válkawar
  • chudobapoverty
  • horamountain
  • lesforest
  • řekariver
  • bratrbrother
  • véstto lead
  • rovinaplain, lowland
  • vyléztto climb up
  • údolívalley
  • usadit seto settle
  • vůdceleader
  • symbolsymbol

Did you get it?

5 quick questions — no grades, just a comprehension check.

1. Why were the people looking for a new home?

2. Who led the people on their journey?

3. What is the mountain called?

4. What did Čech see from the mountain?

5. After whom was the new land named?

Too hard? Pick an easier text in the Czech reading library. Understanding most of a text without translations is the goal — struggling through is not.