Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

Short Stories for Kids

Complete lesson plans, including stories, listening, classroom activities, quiz questions and more!

The Adventures of Molly Mouse

Try this story at a different level?

Once upon a time, in a small, cozy cottage nestled by the edge of the forest, lived a curious little mouse named Molly. Molly was unlike any other mouse in the village. She had a brave and adventurous spirit that often got her into trouble. One sunny morning, Molly decided to explore the vast forest beyond her home.

With her tiny pink backpack filled with cheese sandwiches, Molly scurried through the tall grasses and into the mysterious forest. She came across a mighty river blocking her path. Molly had never seen so much water before! Determined to cross, Molly tugged on a nearby rope, sending a wooden bridge swinging towards her. But just as she hopped on, a gust of wind blew, sending her flying off the bridge and into the river!

As Molly desperately swam against the current, she noticed a friendly otter named Oliver swimming alongside her. Oliver offered her a helping paw and together they made it safely to the other side. Little did they know, they were now in the territory of the mischievous raccoon twins, Rocky and Rosie. The twins loved playing tricks on unsuspecting visitors, and Molly and Oliver were their next targets!

Rocky and Rosie snuck up behind the unsuspecting duo and covered them in a sticky goo made from pine sap. Molly and Oliver were stuck, unable to move! Seeing Molly in trouble, a wise old owl named Oscar swooped down and hooted loudly, scaring the raccoon twins away. With his sharp beak, Oscar carefully pecked away the sap, setting Molly and Oliver free.

Grateful for their freedom, Molly and Oliver thanked Oscar. In return, they promised to be more cautious in their adventures and to always lend a helping paw to others in need. From that day forward, Molly embraced her curiosity while remembering the importance of staying safe. Together with her new friends, Molly felt ready to face any adventure that came her way – one pawstep at a time.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

1mischievousPlayful and causing trouble or annoyance
2territoryAn area of land or space that is owned or controlled by someone or something
3adventurousWilling to take risks and try new things
4curiousEager to learn or know about something
5cozyWarm, comfortable, and inviting
6embraceTo accept or adopt something willingly or eagerly
7cautiousCareful and aware of potential dangers or risks
8gratefulFeeling or showing appreciation for something received or done
9otterA semiaquatic mammal with webbed feet and a long, slender body
10raccoonA small to medium-sized mammal with a mask-like marking around its eyes and a bushy tail
11stickyHaving a sticky or adhesive quality
12pineA type of evergreen tree with needle-like leaves and cones
13hootedTo make a loud, deep sound like an owl
14sharpHaving a thin edge or point that can cut or pierce
15pawstepA single step or movement made by a paw

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Where did Molly live?
2. What did Molly have in her backpack?
3. How did Molly try to cross the river?
4. Who helped Molly when she fell into the river?
5. What did the raccoon twins do to Molly and Oliver?
6. How did Oscar help Molly and Oliver?
7. What did Molly promise to do after her adventure?
8. How did Molly feel at the end of the story?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time, in a small, cozy cottage nestled by the edge of the forest, lived a curious little mouse (1)______ Molly. Molly was unlike any other mouse in the village. She had a brave and (2)______ spirit that often got her into trouble. One sunny morning, Molly decided to explore the vast forest beyond her home.

With her tiny pink backpack (3)______ with cheese sandwiches, Molly scurried through the tall (4)______ and into the mysterious forest. She came across a mighty river (5)______ her path. Molly had never seen so much water before! Determined to cross, Molly tugged on a nearby rope, (6)______ a wooden bridge (7)______ towards her. But just as she hopped on, a gust of wind blew, sending her flying off the bridge and into the river!

As Molly desperately swam against the current, she noticed a friendly otter named Oliver swimming alongside her. Oliver offered her a (8)______ paw and together they made it safely to the other side. Little did they know, they were now in the territory of the mischievous (9)______ (10)______, (11)______ and Rosie. The twins loved playing tricks on unsuspecting visitors, and Molly and Oliver were their next targets!

Rocky and Rosie snuck up behind the unsuspecting duo and covered them in a sticky goo made from pine sap. Molly and Oliver were stuck, unable to move! Seeing Molly in trouble, a wise old owl named Oscar swooped down and hooted loudly, (12)______ the raccoon twins away. With his sharp beak, Oscar carefully (13)______ away the sap, setting (14)______ and Oliver free.

(15)______ for their freedom, Molly and Oliver thanked Oscar. In return, they promised to be more cautious in their (16)______s and to always lend a helping paw to others in need. From that day forward, Molly embraced her curiosity while remembering the importance of staying safe. Together with her new friends, Molly felt ready to face any adventure that came her way – one pawstep at a time.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is the significance of Molly’s adventurous spirit in the story?
2. How would you feel if you were in Molly’s shoes and had to cross a river?
3. Do you like exploring new places? Why or why not?
4. Do you think it’s important to have friends who can help you in difficult situations? Why or why not?
5. How do you think Molly’s character changed throughout the story? Why?
6. Have you ever been in a situation where you needed help from someone else? Can you share your experience?
7. What do you think the moral of the story is? Why?
8. How would you react if you were covered in sticky goo like Molly and Oliver?
9. What is the role of the raccoon twins in the story? Why do you think they enjoy playing tricks on others?
10. Do you think it’s important to be cautious in your adventures? Why or why not?
11. How do you think Molly’s promise to be more cautious will affect her future adventures? Why?
12. Can you think of a time when you embraced curiosity while also staying safe? What happened?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. mischievous
2. territory
3. adventurous
4. curious
5. cozy
6. embrace
7. cautious
8. grateful
9. otter
10. raccoon
11. sticky
12. pine
13. hooted
14. sharp
15. pawstep

Meanings:
(A) To accept or adopt something willingly or eagerly
(B) Having a sticky or adhesive quality
(C) Careful and aware of potential dangers or risks
(D) A single step or movement made by a paw
(E) Warm, comfortable, and inviting
(F) Having a thin edge or point that can cut or pierce
(G) Willing to take risks and try new things
(H) Playful and causing trouble or annoyance
(I) An area of land or space that is owned or controlled by someone or something
(J) To make a loud, deep sound like an owl
(K) A semiaquatic mammal with webbed feet and a long, slender body
(L) A type of evergreen tree with needle-like leaves and cones
(M) A small to medium-sized mammal with a mask-like marking around its eyes and a bushy tail
(N) Feeling or showing appreciation for something received or done
(O) Eager to learn or know about something
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the curious little mouse in the story?
(a) Oliver
(b) Rocky
(c) Molly
(d) Rosie

2. What did Molly have in her backpack?
(a) Books
(b) Cheese sandwiches
(c) Toys
(d) Apples

3. What blocked Molly’s path in the forest?
(a) Tall grasses
(b) A rope
(c) A mighty river
(d) A wooden bridge

4. Who helped Molly cross the river?
(a) Rocky
(b) Oliver
(c) Rosie
(d) Oscar

5. What did the raccoon twins do to Molly and Oliver?
(a) Played tricks on them
(b) Helped them cross the river
(c) Gave them cheese sandwiches
(d) Covered them in sticky goo

6. Who saved Molly and Oliver from the sticky goo?
(a) Oscar
(b) Rocky
(c) Rosie
(d) Oliver

7. What did Molly promise to do after her adventure?
(a) Play more tricks
(b) Explore more dangerous places
(c) Ignore others in need
(d) Be more cautious

8. How did Molly feel at the end of the story?
(a) Ready to face any adventure
(b) Scared and cautious
(c) Disappointed and sad
(d) Angry at the raccoon twins

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Rocky and Rosie play tricks on Molly and Oliver, covering them in sticky goo made from pine sap.
2. Molly has a brave and adventurous spirit that often gets her into trouble.
3. Molly and Oliver are rescued by a wise old owl named Oscar, who sets them free from the sticky goo.
4. Molly and Oliver find themselves in the territory of mischievous raccoon twins named Ricky and Rosie.
5. Molly comes across a shallow river blocking her path and tries to cross it.
6. Molly decides to explore the vast forest beyond her home one sunny morning.
7. Molly is a bored little mouse who lives in a small, cozy cottage by the edge of the forest.
8. Molly is hindered by a friendly otter named Oliver to safely cross the river.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this story in two sentences. Here are some hints:
Who are the main characters?
What happens in the story?

Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Where did Molly live?
Molly lived in a small, cozy cottage by the edge of the forest.

2. What did Molly have in her backpack?
Molly had cheese sandwiches in her backpack.

3. How did Molly try to cross the river?
Molly tried to cross the river by using a wooden bridge.

4. Who helped Molly when she fell into the river?
Oliver, the friendly otter, helped Molly when she fell into the river.

5. What did the raccoon twins do to Molly and Oliver?
The raccoon twins covered Molly and Oliver in a sticky goo made from pine sap.

6. How did Oscar help Molly and Oliver?
Oscar, the wise old owl, pecked away the sap with his sharp beak and set Molly and Oliver free.

7. What did Molly promise to do after her adventure?
Molly promised to be more cautious in her adventures and to always lend a helping paw to others in need.

8. How did Molly feel at the end of the story?
At the end of the story, Molly felt ready to face any adventure that came her way – one pawstep at a time.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) named
(2) adventurous
(3) filled
(4) grasses
(5) blocking
(6) sending
(7) swinging
(8) helping
(9) raccoon
(10) twins
(11) Rocky
(12) scaring
(13) pecked
(14) Molly
(15) Grateful
(16) adventure
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. mischievous
Answer: (H) Playful and causing trouble or annoyance

2. territory
Answer: (I) An area of land or space that is owned or controlled by someone or something

3. adventurous
Answer: (G) Willing to take risks and try new things

4. curious
Answer: (O) Eager to learn or know about something

5. cozy
Answer: (E) Warm, comfortable, and inviting

6. embrace
Answer: (A) To accept or adopt something willingly or eagerly

7. cautious
Answer: (C) Careful and aware of potential dangers or risks

8. grateful
Answer: (N) Feeling or showing appreciation for something received or done

9. otter
Answer: (K) A semiaquatic mammal with webbed feet and a long, slender body

10. raccoon
Answer: (M) A small to medium-sized mammal with a mask-like marking around its eyes and a bushy tail

11. sticky
Answer: (B) Having a sticky or adhesive quality

12. pine
Answer: (L) A type of evergreen tree with needle-like leaves and cones

13. hooted
Answer: (J) To make a loud, deep sound like an owl

14. sharp
Answer: (F) Having a thin edge or point that can cut or pierce

15. pawstep
Answer: (D) A single step or movement made by a paw
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the curious little mouse in the story?
Answer: (c) Molly

2. What did Molly have in her backpack?
Answer: (b) Cheese sandwiches

3. What blocked Molly’s path in the forest?
Answer: (c) A mighty river

4. Who helped Molly cross the river?
Answer: (b) Oliver

5. What did the raccoon twins do to Molly and Oliver?
Answer: (d) Covered them in sticky goo

6. Who saved Molly and Oliver from the sticky goo?
Answer: (a) Oscar

7. What did Molly promise to do after her adventure?
Answer: (d) Be more cautious

8. How did Molly feel at the end of the story?
Answer: (a) Ready to face any adventure
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Rocky and Rosie play tricks on Molly and Oliver, covering them in sticky goo made from pine sap. (Answer: True)
2. Molly has a brave and adventurous spirit that often gets her into trouble. (Answer: True)
3. Molly and Oliver are rescued by a wise old owl named Oscar, who sets them free from the sticky goo. (Answer: True)
4. Molly and Oliver find themselves in the territory of mischievous raccoon twins named Ricky and Rosie. (Answer: False)
5. Molly comes across a shallow river blocking her path and tries to cross it. (Answer: False)
6. Molly decides to explore the vast forest beyond her home one sunny morning. (Answer: True)
7. Molly is a bored little mouse who lives in a small, cozy cottage by the edge of the forest. (Answer: False)
8. Molly is hindered by a friendly otter named Oliver to safely cross the river. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 4 stories?

Maya's wish for endless laughter brings joy and unity to her village, making her the laughter ambassador.

The Mysterious Mango

Maya’s wish for endless laughter brings joy and unity to her village, making her the laughter ambassador.

A llama farmer builds an obstacle course to keep his mischievous llamas entertained and happy.

The Llama Farmer

A llama farmer builds an obstacle course to keep his mischievous llamas entertained and happy.

Feedback