A23 min · 188 words

Legenda o Smoku Wawelskim

The Legend of the Wawel Dragon

Kraków's founding legend: a fire-breathing dragon, a string of failed knights, and the humble shoemaker whose sulfur-stuffed sheep saved the city.

You will practice: Past tense of perfective and imperfective verbs (zamieszkał, miał, próbował, pękł), instrumental for tools and means (siarką, ogniem), and żeby for purpose.

Words to know

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

  • zamekcastle
  • jaskiniacave
  • legendalegend
  • smokdragon
  • łuskascale (of an animal)
  • głodnyhungry
  • domagać sięto demand
  • rycerzknight
  • pokonaćto defeat, to overcome
  • szewcshoemaker, cobbler
  • siarkasulfur
  • ugasićto put out, to extinguish
  • pęknąćto burst, to split
  • królewnaprincess
  • pomnikmonument, statue

Did you get it?

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

1. Where is the Dragon's Den located?

2. What did the dragon demand every day?

3. Who finally defeated the dragon?

4. How did Skuba trick the dragon?

5. Why did the dragon burst?

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