Although Horacio Quiroga wrote this story for his children, there are plenty of words in this tale that may be unfamiliar to even advanced Spanish speakers. Here are a few definitions. The words are listed in order of their appearance in the story.

víbora: viper, a very poisonous snake

yácares: alligators, caiman reptiles

pescuezo: snout of an animal

escamas de peces: scales of a fish (the skin of a fish is covered in scales)

menearse: to wiggle oneself

burla: teasing, to mock someone

farolito: a small lantern

luciérnaga: a firefly

pollerita: a very small skirt

tul: tulle, a very frilly, lightweight fabric found on ballerina outfits

gasa roja: red chiffon (chiffon is an extremely thin, lightweight fabric used in fancy dresses)

almacenero: a man who works in a warehouse

narigudo: stuck-up, snobby

encomienda: parcel, package

lechuza: an owl

agacharse: to crouch down, to bend down