Legenda o Lechu, Czechu i Rusie
The Legend of Lech, Czech, and Rus
Poland's founding legend: three brothers searching for a home, the great white eagle in its nest that led Lech to found Gniezno — and how the eagle became Poland's coat of arms while Czech and Rus founded nations of their own.
You will practice: Past-tense narration (podróżowali, zobaczyli, założył), directional na + accusative (na południe, na wschód), and od + genitive for the origin of a name (od słowa „gniazdo”).
Words to know
Skim these before you read — they carry the story. Tap the star to add one to your saved words.
- bratbrother
- podróżowaćto travel
- lasforest
- miejsceplace
- dolinavalley
- rzekariver
- jeziorolake
- drzewotree
- orzełeagle
- gniazdonest
- znaksign
- założyćto found, to establish
- miastocity, town
- godłoemblem, coat of arms
- państwostate, country
- rozstać sięto part, to separate
Did you get it?
5 quick questions — no grades, just a comprehension check.
1. What were the three brothers looking for?
2. What did Lech see in the great old tree?
3. Why did Lech name the city Gniezno?
4. What did the white eagle become?
5. Where did Czech and Rus go?
Too hard? Pick an easier text in the Polish reading library. Understanding most of a text without translations is the goal — struggling through is not.