A1 Spanish

Stories completed

26. La mejor mamá del mundo

(The Best Mom in the World)

It's Saturday. Axel is 12 and helps his mom bake a cake for his friend's party. His mom doesn't know it yet, but she's getting a gift too.

Illustration of a mother driving a car with her child in the passenger seat looking content

Spanish version

Es sábado por la mañana en Santiago de Compostela.

Axel tiene doce años.

Vive solo con su madre, Laura, en un piso pequeño.

Hoy es el cumpleaños de su amigo Adrián.

Van a hacer una <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Galician almond cake" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">tarta de Santiago para la fiesta.

Laura entra en la habitación de Axel.

—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Get up" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Levántate, Axel. Son las nueve.

—Cinco minutos más, por favor...

—No. Levántate <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="now" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">ya.

Axel se levanta despacio.

—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Come here" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Ven aquí. <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Wash your face" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Lávate la cara. Cepíllate los dientes.

Axel va al baño. Después va a la cocina.

—Siéntate. <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Eat" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Come tus tostadas y <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Drink" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">bebe tu leche.

Axel come mientras mira su teléfono.

—Axel, <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Put down" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">deja el teléfono.

—Vale, mamá.

—Hoy hacemos la tarta para la fiesta de Adrián. Pero primero vamos al supermercado.

—Vale.

—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Get ready" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Prepárate. <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Put on" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Ponte la chaqueta.

—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="I'm coming" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Ya voy.

Van al supermercado en coche.

—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Look for" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Busca un carrito, por favor.

Axel trae el carrito.

—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Give me" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Dame el carrito. Ahora busca los huevos.

—¿Estos?

—Sí. <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Put" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Pon los huevos en el carrito. <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Be careful" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Ten cuidado. <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Don't break them" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">No los rompas.

—Ahora trae <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="almonds" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">las almendras. Y busca <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="sugar" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">el azúcar.

Pagan y vuelven a casa.

—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Wash your hands" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Lávate las manos primero.

Axel se lava las manos.

—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Take out" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Saca los ingredientes. Pon todo en la mesa.

—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Break" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Rompe cinco huevos en este <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="bowl" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">bol.

Axel rompe los huevos.

—Ahora <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Mix" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">mezcla los huevos con el azúcar. Y después añade las almendras.

—Ya está.

—Ahora abre <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="oven" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">el horno. Ten cuidado. Está caliente.

Ponen la tarta dentro.

—Ahora espera treinta y cinco minutos. <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Don't open" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">No abras el horno todavía.

Mientras esperan, Laura le dice a Axel:

—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Clean" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Limpia la mesa mientras yo lavo estos platos.

Suena <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="timer" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">el temporizador. La tarta está lista.

—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Get dressed" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Vístete. Ponte una camisa limpia y busca el regalo para Adrián.

Van al coche.

—¿Sabes dónde vive Adrián?

—Sí. <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Go straight" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Sigue recto por esta calle.

—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Turn" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Gira en la próxima calle y después <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Cross" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">cruza la plaza.

Cinco minutos después, Axel dice:

—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Stop here" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Para aquí. Es esa casa.

Axel abre la puerta del coche. <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="Take" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">Toma la tarta y el regalo.

—Adiós, mamá.

Camina hacia la casa.

Se para.

Vuelve a la ventana del coche.

—¿Qué pasa?

—Mamá... gracias por la tarta. Y <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="for everything" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">por todo. Eres la mejor mamá del mundo.

Laura sonríe, sorprendida. Axel no dice eso nunca.

—<span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="You're welcome" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">De nada, cariño.

Axel camina hacia la puerta y entra.

Laura sonríe primero. Después empieza a llorar y piensa:

"Tengo <span class="vocab-tooltip" fb-tooltip="true" fb-tooltip-message="the best son in the world" fb-tooltip-position="top" fb-tooltip-theme="dark" fb-tooltip-animation="shift-away" fb-tooltip-show-delay="100" fb-tooltip-arrow="rounded">el mejor hijo del mundo."

Spanish story with English translation

Es sábado por la mañana en Santiago de Compostela.

It is Saturday morning in Santiago de Compostela.

Axel tiene doce años.

Axel is twelve years old.

Vive solo con su madre, Laura, en un piso pequeño.

He lives alone with his mother, Laura, in a small apartment.

Hoy es el cumpleaños de su amigo Adrián.

Today is his friend Adrián's birthday.

Van a hacer una tarta de Santiago para la fiesta.

They are going to make a tarta de Santiago for the party.

Laura entra en la habitación de Axel.

Laura enters Axel's room.

—Levántate, Axel. Son las nueve.

"Get up, Axel. It's nine o'clock."

—Cinco minutos más, por favor...

"Five more minutes, please..."

—No. Levántate ya.

"No. Get up now."

Axel se levanta despacio.

Axel gets up slowly.

—Ven aquí. Lávate la cara. Cepíllate los dientes.

"Come here. Wash your face. Brush your teeth."

Axel va al baño. Después va a la cocina.

Axel goes to the bathroom. Then he goes to the kitchen.

—Siéntate. Come tus tostadas y bebe tu leche.

"Sit down. Eat your toast and drink your milk."

Axel come mientras mira su teléfono.

Axel eats while looking at his phone.

—Axel, deja el teléfono.

"Axel, put down the phone."

—Vale, mamá.

"Okay, Mom."

—Hoy hacemos la tarta para la fiesta de Adrián. Pero primero vamos al supermercado.

"Today we're making the cake for Adrián's party. But first we're going to the supermarket."

—Vale.

"Okay."

—Prepárate. Ponte la chaqueta.

"Get ready. Put on your jacket."

—Ya voy.

"I'm coming."

Van al supermercado en coche.

They go to the supermarket by car.

—Busca un carrito, por favor.

"Find a cart, please."

Axel trae el carrito.

Axel brings the cart.

—Dame el carrito. Ahora busca los huevos.

"Give me the cart. Now find the eggs."

—¿Estos?

"These?"

—Sí. Pon los huevos en el carrito. Ten cuidado. No los rompas.

"Yes. Put the eggs in the cart. Be careful. Don't break them."

—Ahora trae las almendras. Y busca el azúcar.

"Now bring the almonds. And find the sugar."

Pagan y vuelven a casa.

They pay and return home.

—Lávate las manos primero.

"Wash your hands first."

Axel se lava las manos.

Axel washes his hands.

—Saca los ingredientes. Pon todo en la mesa.

"Take out the ingredients. Put everything on the table."

—Rompe cinco huevos en este bol.

"Break five eggs into this bowl."

Axel rompe los huevos.

Axel breaks the eggs.

—Ahora mezcla los huevos con el azúcar. Y después añade las almendras.

"Now mix the eggs with the sugar. And then add the almonds."

—Ya está.

"Done."

—Ahora abre el horno. Ten cuidado. Está caliente.

"Now open the oven. Be careful. It's hot."

Ponen la tarta dentro.

They put the cake inside.

—Ahora espera treinta y cinco minutos. No abras el horno todavía.

"Now wait thirty-five minutes. Don't open the oven yet."

Mientras esperan, Laura le dice a Axel:

While they wait, Laura says to Axel:

—Limpia la mesa mientras yo lavo estos platos.

"Clean the table while I wash these dishes."

Suena el temporizador. La tarta está lista.

The timer goes off. The cake is ready.

—Vístete. Ponte una camisa limpia y busca el regalo para Adrián.

"Get dressed. Put on a clean shirt and find the gift for Adrián."

Van al coche.

They go to the car.

—¿Sabes dónde vive Adrián?

"Do you know where Adrián lives?"

—Sí. Sigue recto por esta calle.

"Yes. Go straight on this street."

—Gira en la próxima calle y después cruza la plaza.

"Turn on the next street and then cross the plaza."

Cinco minutos después, Axel dice:

Five minutes later, Axel says:

—Para aquí. Es esa casa.

"Stop here. It's that house."

Axel abre la puerta del coche. Toma la tarta y el regalo.

Axel opens the car door. He takes the cake and the gift.

—Adiós, mamá.

"Goodbye, Mom."

Camina hacia la casa.

He walks toward the house.

Se para.

He stops.

Vuelve a la ventana del coche.

He goes back to the car window.

—¿Qué pasa?

"What's wrong?"

—Mamá... gracias por la tarta. Y por todo. Eres la mejor mamá del mundo.

"Mom... thank you for the cake. And for everything. You're the best mom in the world."

Laura sonríe, sorprendida. Axel no dice eso nunca.

Laura smiles, surprised. Axel never says that.

—De nada, cariño.

"You're welcome, sweetheart."

Axel camina hacia la puerta y entra.

Axel walks toward the door and enters.

Laura sonríe primero. Después empieza a llorar y piensa:

Laura smiles first. Then she starts to cry and thinks:

"Tengo el mejor hijo del mundo."

"I have the best son in the world."

Part 2

Vocabulary Flashcards

Part 3

Story Challenge

Part 4

Patterns Challenge

Part 5

Listening Challenge

Part 6

Writing Challenge

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Question 1

Your friend asks what Laura says in the morning. Reply in Spanish: Get up. Put on your jacket.

Example: Levántate. Ponte la chaqueta.

Notes:

"Levántate" and "ponte" both end with "-te" because the action is about yourself. Get YOURself up. Put YOUR jacket on. The "-te" is the same reflexive pronoun from daily routine verbs like levantarse and ponerse.
Commands in Spanish are short. No "tú," no extra words. Just the verb: levántate, ponte, siéntate. Direct and clear.

Question 2

You are Laura at the supermarket. Tell Axel in Spanish: Find a cart. Find the eggs. Put the eggs in the cart. Be careful.

Example: Busca un carrito. Busca los huevos. Pon los huevos en el carrito. Ten cuidado.

Notes:

"Busca" → regular command. Take the tú form (buscas) and drop the -s: busca. That's the rule for most commands.
"Pon" and "ten" → irregular. These don't follow the rule. There are only a few: ven (come), pon (put), ten (have/be careful), sal (leave). It's worth memorizing.

Question 3

Your friend is driving. Give them directions in Spanish: Go straight on this street. Turn on the next street. Stop here.

Example: Sigue recto por esta calle. Gira en la próxima calle. Para aquí.

Notes:

Three direction commands: sigue (go/continue), gira (turn), para (stop). All follow the regular rule: drop the -s from the tú form.
"Por esta calle" → "por" for movement along a street. "En la próxima calle" → "en" for the specific point where you turn. Two prepositions with two different jobs.

Question 4

Translate to Spanish: Sit down. Look for the sugar. Come here. Wash your hands.

Example: Siéntate. Busca el azúcar. Ven aquí. Lávate las manos.

Notes:

"Lávate las manos" uses "las manos" (the hands), not "tus manos." When the action is reflexive, Spanish uses the article with body parts instead of a possessive.
"Ponte la chaqueta" (put on) vs "pon los huevos en el carrito" (put). Both come from PONER. The "-te" makes it about yourself. Without it you're putting something somewhere else.

Question 5

Translate to Spanish: Open the oven. Be careful. It is hot. Wait thirty-five minutes. Don't open the oven.

Example: Abre el horno. Ten cuidado. Está caliente. Espera treinta y cinco minutos. No abras el horno.

Notes:

"Abre" (open) vs "no abras" (don't open). Notice the verb changes form when you add "no." This switch only happens with negative commands. Affirmative and negative don't look the same.

Question 6

Translate to Spanish: Get dressed. Put on a shirt. Find the gift for Adrián. We have to go to the party.

Example: Vístete. Ponte una camisa. Busca el regalo para Adrián. Tenemos que ir a la fiesta.

Notes:

"Vístete" comes from vestirse. Notice the -e- in the verb changes to -í- in the command form. Same thing happens with "sigue" from seguir (e → i). Watch for these vowel shifts in commands.
"Para Adrián" → "para" marks who the gift is for. Different from "para aquí" in Q3 (stop here) where "para" is actually the verb parar. It's the same word but with a completely different use.

Reply in Spanish and join the discussion!

Axel wakes up late, helps his mom and says something beautiful at the end. What about you?

Are you like Axel in the morning (five more minutes!) or do you wake up fast?
Do you like cooking or do you like eating more?
What do you say to the most important people in your life?

Part 7

Speaking Challenge

It's Saturday morning in Santiago de Compostela and there's a cake to make, a party to get to, and a twelve-year-old who won't get out of bed. Time to start giving orders.

Laura's Morning Commands

You're Laura. It's Saturday morning and Axel is still in bed. You need him up, clean, fed and ready to leave for the supermarket. He's not making it easy.

Your task - get Axel up and ready:

Tell Axel to get up; say it's nine o'clock
(Axel: "Cinco minutos más...") Say no; tell him to get up now and make his bed
Tell him to take a shower and get dressed
Tell him to come to the kitchen, sit down and eat his breakfast (toast and milk)
(Axel picks up his phone) Tell him to put the phone down and put his jacket on

Speak for 30-45 seconds

Reveal sample answer

¡Levántate, Axel! Son las nueve.
1. Get up, Axel! It's nine o'clock.
No. Levántate ya. Y haz tu cama.
1. No. Get up now. And make your bed.
Dúchate y vístete.
1. Take a shower and get dressed.
Ven a la cocina. Siéntate. Come tus tostadas y bebe tu leche.
1. Come to the kitchen. Sit down. Eat your toast and drink your milk.
Deja el teléfono. Ponte la chaqueta.
1. Put the phone down. Put your jacket on.

Teaching a Friend to Cook

Your friend has never made a tortilla española. You're on a video call and they're standing in the kitchen looking nervous. "OK, I'm ready. Tell me what to do."

Your task - walk your friend through the recipe from start to finish:

Greet your friend and ask if they're ready
Tell them to wash their hands first
Ask if they have eggs, potatoes, onion and oil
Tell them to break four eggs in a bowl and mix
Tell them to put oil in the pan and add the potatoes
Tell them to add the eggs to the pan; say to be careful, it's very hot
Tell them to wait five minutes and not to touch it; then tell them to try a little (prueba) and ask if they like it

Speak for 45 seconds - 1 minute

Reveal sample answer

¡Hola! ¿Estás listo/a?
1. Hi! Are you ready?
Primero, lávate las manos.
1. First, wash your hands.
¿Tienes huevos, patatas, cebolla y aceite?
1. Do you have eggs, potatoes, onion and oil?
Rompe cuatro huevos en un bol y mezcla.
1. Break four eggs in a bowl and mix.
Pon aceite en la sartén y añade las patatas.
1. Put oil in the pan and add the potatoes.
Ahora añade los huevos a la sartén. Ten cuidado, está muy caliente.
1. Now add the eggs to the pan. Be careful, it's very hot.
Espera cinco minutos. No lo toques. ... Ahora prueba un poco. ¿Te gusta?
1. Wait five minutes. Don't touch it. ... Now try a little. Do you like it?

Getting Adrián Ready

You're Marta, Adrián's mother. The party starts in fifteen minutes and Adrián is still on the sofa in his pyjamas. You need him ready. Now.

Your task - boss Adrián around:

Tell Adrián to leave the video game and get up
Say his room is a disaster; tell him to make his bed
Tell him to take a shower and wash his hair
Tell him to put on a clean shirt and his new trousers
Tell him to come to the kitchen and put the plates and the glasses on the table
Tell him not to eat any more sweets; tell him to put on some music and say his friends are going to arrive soon

Speak for 45 seconds - 1 minute

Reveal sample answer

¡Adrián! Deja el videojuego. Levántate.
1. Adrián! Leave the video game. Get up.
Tu habitación es un desastre. Haz tu cama.
1. Your room is a disaster. Make your bed.
Dúchate y lávate el pelo.
1. Take a shower and wash your hair.
Ponte una camisa limpia y tus pantalones nuevos.
1. Put on a clean shirt and your new trousers.
Ven a la cocina. Pon los platos y los vasos en la mesa.
1. Come to the kitchen. Put the plates and the glasses on the table.
No comas más dulces. Pon música. Tus amigos van a llegar pronto.
1. Don't eat any more sweets. Put on music. Your friends are going to arrive soon.

House Rules

Your friend is staying at your house this weekend while you're away. They've already sent you 23 messages with questions about everything. You record one voice note to cover it all before number 24 arrives.

Your task - leave a voice note with all the house rules:

Say the wifi password is "gato123"; tell them not to change it
Say the blue towels in the bathroom are for them; tell them not to use the white ones (they're your mother's)
Say they can eat everything in the kitchen but tell them not to eat the chocolate cake (it's for your sister)
Tell them to close the windows at night (the neighbor's cat likes to come in)
Tell them there's a blanket on the sofa (manta); tell them not to eat in bed (it's new)
Tell them to call you if they need anything; say have a good weekend

Speak for 45 seconds - 1 minute

Reveal sample answer

La contraseña del wifi es "gato123". No la cambies.
1. The wifi password is "gato123". Don't change it.
Las toallas azules en el baño son para ti. No uses las blancas, son de mi madre.
1. The blue towels in the bathroom are for you. Don't use the white ones, they're my mother's.
Puedes comer todo en la cocina, pero no comas la tarta de chocolate. Es para mi hermana.
1. You can eat everything in the kitchen, but don't eat the chocolate cake. It's for my sister.
Cierra las ventanas por la noche. Al gato del vecino le gusta entrar.
1. Close the windows at night. The neighbor's cat likes to come in.
Hay una manta en el sofá. No comas en la cama. Es nueva.
1. There's a blanket on the sofa. Don't eat in bed. It's new.
Llámame si necesitas algo. ¡Buen fin de semana!
1. Call me if you need anything. Have a good weekend!

Tell the Story

Your friend says: "I love my parents so much but I'm too shy to say it. I never tell them." You smile and start talking about Laura and Axel's story.

Your task - tell the story in your own words:

Where does the story take place? (city)
Who is Axel and why is today special? (age, who he lives with, party)
Describe what Laura tells Axel to do in the morning (three things)
Where do they go and what does Laura tell Axel to find? (three ingredients)
Describe how they make the cake (eggs, sugar, almonds, oven)
What does Laura tell Axel to do while they wait for the cake? And before they leave? (clothes, present)
How does Axel give Laura directions to Adrián's house?
What does Axel do when they arrive? What does he say to Laura?
Why is Laura surprised? What does she think?
What do you think about this story? (Esta historia es...)
What do you think about what Axel says to Laura?
Imagine you're Laura and you hear Axel's words - how do you feel?
Do you find it easy or difficult to say nice things to the people in your life?

Speak for 2.5-3 minutes

Reveal sample answer

La historia es en Santiago de Compostela.
1. The story is in Santiago de Compostela.
Axel tiene doce años. Vive con su madre, Laura, en un piso pequeño. Hoy es el cumpleaños de su amigo Adrián. Van a hacer una tarta de Santiago para la fiesta.
1. Axel is twelve years old. He lives with his mother, Laura, in a small flat. Today is his friend Adrián's birthday. They are going to make a tarta de Santiago for the party.
Laura dice a Axel: "Levántate. Lávate la cara. Cepíllate los dientes."
1. Laura says to Axel: "Get up. Wash your face. Brush your teeth."
Van al supermercado. Laura dice a Axel: "Busca los huevos, las almendras y el azúcar."
1. They go to the supermarket. Laura says to Axel: "Find the eggs, the almonds and the sugar."
En casa, Axel rompe los huevos en un bol. Mezcla los huevos con el azúcar y añade las almendras. Ponen la tarta en el horno.
1. At home, Axel breaks the eggs in a bowl. He mixes the eggs with the sugar and adds the almonds. They put the cake in the oven.
Laura dice a Axel: "Limpia la mesa." Después dice: "Vístete. Ponte una camisa limpia. Busca el regalo para Adrián."
1. Laura says to Axel: "Clean the table." Then she says: "Get dressed. Put on a clean shirt. Find the present for Adrián."
Axel dice a Laura: "Sigue recto. Gira en la próxima calle. Cruza la plaza. Para aquí."
1. Axel says to Laura: "Go straight. Turn at the next street. Cross the plaza. Stop here."
Axel abre la puerta del coche. Toma la tarta y el regalo. Vuelve a la ventana y dice: "Mamá, gracias por la tarta. Y por todo. Eres la mejor mamá del mundo."
1. Axel opens the car door. He takes the cake and the present. He goes back to the window and says: "Mum, thank you for the cake. And for everything. You're the best mum in the world."
Laura está sorprendida porque Axel no dice eso nunca. Piensa: "Tengo el mejor hijo del mundo."
1. Laura is surprised because Axel never says that. She thinks: "I have the best son in the world."
Esta historia es muy bonita. Me gusta mucho porque es una historia de familia. / Esta historia es un poco triste pero muy bonita.
1. This story is very nice. I like it a lot because it's a family story. / This story is a little sad but very nice.
Es muy bonito. Axel quiere mucho a su madre.
1. It's very nice. Axel loves his mother very much.
Estoy muy contenta y sorprendida. Estoy muy feliz.
1. I'm very happy and surprised. I'm very happy.
Para mí, es [fácil / difícil] decir cosas bonitas a [mi familia / mis amigos].
1. For me, it's [easy / difficult] to say nice things to [my family / my friends].

Part 8

Culture

1. The cake that Axel and Laura Spent All Morning Making

Five eggs. Almonds. Sugar. That's basically it.

Axel and Laura spent a whole Saturday morning shopping, mixing, baking and cleaning up… for a cake with three main ingredients.

A 500-year-old recipe with almost nothing in it

Tarta de Santiago is an almond cake from Galicia. No flour. Just ground almonds, eggs and sugar.

The first written mention goes back to 1577 when it showed up as "torta real" (royal cake) at the University of Santiago de Compostela.

Back then almonds and sugar were expensive so only wealthy families made it.

For the next few centuries… it was just an almond cake. A good one. But just an almond cake.

Then in 1924 a bakery in Santiago called Casa Mora cut a stencil of the Cruz de Santiago (the cross of Saint James, the city's symbol) and dusted powdered sugar over the top.

A tarta de Santiago with a slice being lifted, showing the golden almond interior and the powdered sugar cross on top.

Three ingredients. No flour. Somehow one of the best cakes in Spain.

One decoration. And suddenly the cake had an identity. Every bakery in the region copied it.

It's protected by law

Since 2006, tarta de Santiago has EU Protected Geographical Indication status. Same kind of legal protection as Champagne or Parmigiano-Reggiano.

The rules are specific:

Must be made in Galicia (make it anywhere else and you can't call it tarta de Santiago)
At least 33% almonds, 33% sugar and 25% egg by weight
No flour in the traditional version (which makes it naturally gluten-free)

You'll find it in every café and bakery in Santiago. Pilgrims eat it at the end of the Camino. Families bake it for birthdays and celebrations.

The cake is named after the city. The city is named after a saint.

And the reason all of this matters… starts with a very long walk.

2. Why Half a Million People Walk to Axel's City Every Year

Axel and Laura live in Santiago de Compostela. About 100,000 people live in the capital of Galicia.

Santiago is small and quiet… until you notice all the people arriving on foot with backpacks and walking sticks.

Over 500,000 of them a year.

The walk that's been going for 1,200 years

The Camino de Santiago (the Way of Saint James) is one of the oldest pilgrimage routes in the world. All roads lead to the cathedral in Santiago.

The short version: in the 9th century, someone found what they believed to be the tomb of Saint James the Apostle (one of Jesus's twelve apostles and the patron saint of Spain).

A cathedral was built. People started walking there.

They've been walking ever since.

A Camino de Santiago stone waymarker showing the yellow arrow and scallop shell with 223.6 km remaining, with a pilgrim walking ahead through a small village.

223 kilometres to go. The yellow arrow is how half a million pilgrims a year know where to walk

The Camino isn't one single trail. It's a whole network of routes across Europe.

The most popular is the Camino Francés (French Way)… about 800 kilometres across northern Spain.

But there are dozens of routes starting from Portugal, the coast and even other countries.

In 2025 over 530,000 pilgrims received the Compostela (the official certificate of completion, written in Latin). That's a record.

93% arrived on foot
43% were Spanish. Americans are now the second-largest group
To qualify you need to walk at least 100 kilometres on a recognised route (or cycle 200)
You carry a pilgrim passport and collect stamps along the way to prove your journey

People walk for all kinds of reasons. Religion. Grief. A breakup. A career change. Because they saw a movie about it. Because they just needed a month of walking and thinking.

Whatever the reason… they all end up standing in front of the same cathedral.

The cathedral of Santiago de Compostela at the finish line

The Obradoiro façade of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela seen from across the square, with small figures of visitors at the base.

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela from the Praza do Obradoiro. Every route ends here.

Construction started in 1075 and finished in 1211. The Baroque front entrance is the kind of building that makes you stop and just… stare.

The tomb itself is the whole point. Pilgrims go down to a crypt under the main altar where the remains of Saint James are kept in a silver chest. That's the thing they walked hundreds of kilometres to see.

And there's a tradition: pilgrims climb the stairs behind the altar and hug the statue of Saint James. Thousands of people a day, one by one, hugging a medieval statue. It's weirdly moving to watch.

The Old Town around the cathedral has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.

A day in Axel and Laura's city

Santiago is the kind of place where life moves at a very specific speed.

Praza do Obradoiro - the big square in front of the cathedral. Stand there and watch the pilgrims arrive. Some will be crying. Some will be laughing. A lot of them will just be standing there… processing the fact that they actually made it
The cathedral - go inside. Walk down to the crypt. Then climb the stairs and hug Saint James like everyone else
Tarta de Santiago with a café con leche - at any bakery near the cathedral. You just spent a whole story learning how it's made… now eat a slice
Mercado de Abastos - Santiago's main food market. Open since 1873. Seafood, cheese, wine, empanadas. Go hungry
Rúa do Franco - the main eating street. Sit down, order pulpo a feira and a glass of Albariño (crisp white wine from Galicia)

Santiago is the kind of city where nobody's in a rush and the best plan is no plan.

Walk until you're hungry. Eat until you're not. And if it starts raining… it will. Just find a bar and wait it out with a glass of Albariño.

Did You Know?

🐚 The scallop shell is the symbol of the Camino. Pilgrims tie one to their backpack and you'll see the shell pattern set into streets, buildings and signs all over Santiago
⛪ The cathedral of Santiago de Compostela appears on Spain's 1, 2 and 5 cent euro coins
🛤️ The Camino Francés (French Way) was one of the first routes to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993… the trail itself, not just a building at the end of it
🎓 Santiago de Compostela has roughly 30,000 university students in a city of 100,000. The University of Santiago de Compostela was founded in 1495 and is one of the oldest in the world
🗣️ Galician and Portuguese were the same language until roughly the 14th century. During the Middle Ages, Galician-Portuguese was the language of poetry across the entire Iberian Peninsula

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