Story: La Coda del Criceto (The Hamster's Tail)

Language Italian – A story for learners of Italian who speak English
Level A1 (1 of 6) – Basic (Beginner) What's this?
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“Prenditi cura del criceto,” dice l’insegnante di Elia. Poi va a mangiare.

“Look after the hamster,” Elijah’s teacher says. She goes to eat.

Elia siede in aula. Osserva il piccolo criceto. Corre nella sua ruota, molto veloce. ‘È ora di pranzo,’ pensa. ‘Devo dargli da mangiare.’ Gli dà un po’ di cibo e acqua. Il criceto mangia e beve.

Elijah sits in the classroom. He watches the small hamster. It runs in its wheel, very fast. ‘It’s lunchtime,’ he thinks. ‘I must feed it.’ He gives it some food and water. The hamster eats and drinks.

Una bambina entra. “Posso tenerlo?” chiede.

A little girl comes in. “Can I hold it?” she asks.

“Sì, ma fai attenzione,” dice lui.

“Yes, but be careful,” he says.

Elia prende il criceto e lo dà alla bambina. È caldo e morbido, e la bambina sorride. Ma il criceto la morde sul dito. “Ahi!” dice, e lascia cadere il criceto.

Elijah picks up the hamster and gives it to the girl. It is warm and soft, and the girl smiles. But the hamster bites her finger. “Ouch!” she says, and she drops the hamster.

Il piccolo animale corre fuori dalla porta aperta. “No!” grida Elia. Lui e la bambina corrono dietro. Elia riesce a vedere solo la sua coda, quando si infila nell’erba. Il criceto è sparito.

The small animal runs out the open door. “No!” Elijah shouts. He and the girl run after it. Elijah can only see its tail, when it runs into the grass. The hamster is gone.

Elia è molto preoccupato. ‘Sono nei guai,’ pensa.

Elijah is very worried. ‘I’m in trouble,’ he thinks.

Tira fuori il suo telefono e chiama sua mamma.

He takes out his phone and calls his mum.

“Mamma, mi vuoi bene?” chiede.

“Mum, do you love me?” he asks.

“Certo, Elia,” dice lei.

“Of course, Elijah,” she says.

“E mi aiuterai sempre?” chiede.

“And will you always help me?” he asks.

“Sì, Elia. Cosa c’è che non va?” chiede. Sembra preoccupata.

“Yes, Elijah. What’s wrong?” she asks. She sounds worried.

Lui fa un respiro profondo. “In quanto tempo puoi comprare un criceto e portarlo a scuola?”

He takes a deep breath. “How quickly can you buy a hamster and bring it to school?”

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