Once upon a time in the small town of Willowbrook, there stood a grand old cathedral that was home to a mighty gargoyle. This gargoyle was not like any ordinary gargoyle. His name was Grumpy, but people called him the Great Giggling Gargoyle because, well, he loved to giggle. Grumpy had a unique power; whenever he giggled, magical things would happen. Flowers would bloom, birds would sing, and people would feel an overwhelming sense of joy. Grumpy giggled constantly, and the town flourished with happiness.

One day, a wicked sorceress named Penelope arrived in Willowbrook. Jealous of the town’s joy, she schemed to steal Grumpy’s power and use it for herself. With her menacing laugh and a magical spell, Penelope tried to imprison the Great Giggling Gargoyle, hoping to silence his joyous giggles forever. But Grumpy, being very clever, escaped her clutches and laughed even harder, causing Penelope’s spell to backfire on her.

Now, with the power of Grumpy’s laughter combined with Penelope’s curse, the entire town began to giggle uncontrollably. People laughed in the streets, at work, and even during their sleep. The town turned into a place of constant giggling, making it nearly impossible for anyone to carry on with their normal lives. Willowbrook was in chaos, and the once-happy town became miserable.

Seeing the chaos she had caused, Penelope realized the errors of her ways. She sought Grumpy’s forgiveness and pledged to make things right again. Together, they came up with a plan. Grumpy used his laughter to cast a spell that would bring back the town’s happiness, but this time, it would be balanced. The laughter would be controlled so that people could enjoy life to the fullest without disruptions.

As the laughter returned to Willowbrook, people embraced the joy and shared it with one another. They learned that a little laughter was good for the soul, but too much of it could cause chaos. Grumpy and Penelope became close friends and continued to spread happiness throughout the town. They visited schools, hospitals, and homes, bringing laughter wherever they went.

And so, the Great Giggling Gargoyle taught the people of Willowbrook the importance of balance in laughter. They recognized that even in the toughest times, a smile and a giggle could always brighten the darkest days. From that day on, the town of Willowbrook flourished with happiness, reminding everyone that laughter truly is the best medicine.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What was the unique power of the Great Giggling Gargoyle?
2. Why did Penelope want to steal Grumpy’s power?
3. How did Grumpy escape from Penelope’s spell?
4. What happened to the town after Penelope’s curse combined with Grumpy’s laughter?
5. How did Penelope realize her mistakes?
6. What was the plan that Grumpy and Penelope came up with to bring back happiness to the town?
7. Where did Grumpy and Penelope go to spread laughter after the town was happy again?
8. What lesson did the people of Willowbrook learn from their experience with too much laughter?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time in the small town of Willowbrook, there (1)______ a grand old cathedral that was home to a mighty gargoyle. This gargoyle was not like any ordinary gargoyle. His name was Grumpy, but people called him the Great Giggling (2)______ because, well, he (3)______ to (4)______. Grumpy had a unique power; whenever he giggled, magical things would happen. Flowers would bloom, birds would sing, and people would feel an overwhelming sense of joy. Grumpy giggled constantly, and the town flourished with happiness.

One day, a wicked sorceress named Penelope arrived in Willowbrook. Jealous of the town’s joy, she schemed to steal Grumpy’s power and use it for herself. With her menacing laugh and a (5)______ spell, (6)______ tried to imprison the Great Giggling Gargoyle, hoping to silence his joyous giggles forever. But Grumpy, being very clever, escaped her clutches and laughed even harder, causing Penelope’s spell to backfire on her.

Now, with the power of Grumpy’s laughter combined with Penelope’s (7)______, the entire town began to giggle uncontrollably. People laughed in the streets, at work, and even during their sleep. The town turned into a place of constant giggling, making it nearly (8)______ for anyone to carry on with their (9)______ lives. Willowbrook was in chaos, and the once-happy town (10)______ miserable.

Seeing the chaos she had caused, Penelope realized the errors of her ways. She sought Grumpy’s forgiveness and pledged to make (11)______ right again. Together, they came up with a plan. Grumpy used his laughter to cast a spell that would bring back the town’s happiness, but this time, it would be balanced. The laughter would be controlled so that people could enjoy life to the fullest without disruptions.

As the laughter (12)______ to Willowbrook, people embraced the joy and shared it with one another. They learned that a little laughter was good for the soul, but too much of it could cause chaos. Grumpy and Penelope became close friends and continued to spread happiness throughout the town. They (13)______ schools, hospitals, and (14)______, bringing laughter wherever they went.

And so, the Great (15)______ Gargoyle taught the people of Willowbrook the importance of balance in laughter. They recognized that even in the toughest times, a (16)______ and a giggle could always brighten the darkest days. From that day on, the town of Willowbrook flourished with happiness, reminding everyone that laughter truly is the best medicine.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is the significance of laughter in our lives?
2. How would you feel if you had the power to make people laugh uncontrollably?
3. Do you think laughter has the power to bring happiness to a community? Why or why not?
4. What role does forgiveness play in the story? How important is it to forgive others?
5. Have you ever experienced a time when laughter brought people together? Can you share that experience?
6. How do you think the town of Willowbrook changed after the laughter became uncontrolled?
7. What do you think the author is trying to teach us through the story of Grumpy and Penelope?
8. Do you believe that laughter truly is the best medicine? Why or why not?
9. How would you feel if you were constantly surrounded by laughter? Would it be enjoyable or overwhelming?
10. What lessons can we learn from the Great Giggling Gargoyle and Penelope’s journey?
11. Have you ever encountered a situation where laughter caused chaos? How did you handle it?
12. What are some ways we can bring more laughter and joy into our own lives and the lives of others?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. cathedral
2. gargoyle
3. sorceress
4. menacing
5. clutches
6. backfire
7. chaos
8. pledge
9. spell
10. disruptions
11. embraced
12. soul
13. chaotic
14. flourish
15. balance

Meanings:
(A) A large and important church, often the seat of a bishop
(B) A firm grip or hold
(C) To have the opposite effect to what was intended
(D) The spiritual or immaterial part of a human being or animal, often regarded as immortal
(E) To accept or welcome with open arms
(F) A grotesque carved human or animal figure, especially one used as a rainspout on a building
(G) Complete disorder and confusion
(H) A woman who practices magic; a witch
(I) Interruptions or disturbances that prevent things from continuing normally
(J) An even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady
(K) Adjective form of “chaos”
(L) A word, phrase, or form of words supposed to have magic power
(M) A solemn promise or undertaking
(N) To grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way
(O) Suggesting the presence of danger; threatening
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What was the name of the grand old cathedral in Willowbrook?
(a) Willowbrook Cathedral
(b) St. Mary’s Cathedral
(c) Cathedral of Laughter
(d) Grand Gargoyle Cathedral

2. Why was the gargoyle called the Great Giggling Gargoyle?
(a) Because he was the largest gargoyle in town
(b) Because he had a booming laugh
(c) Because he was known for his funny faces
(d) Because he loved to giggle

3. What happened when Grumpy giggled?
(a) The town would become silent
(b) People would become sad
(c) Magical things would happen
(d) The flowers would wither

4. What was the wicked sorceress’ name?
(a) Samantha
(b) Penelope
(c) Isabella
(d) Beatrice

5. Why did Penelope want to steal Grumpy’s power?
(a) She wanted to become a gargoyle
(b) She wanted to become famous
(c) She wanted to make people laugh
(d) She was jealous of the town’s joy

6. What happened when Penelope’s spell backfired?
(a) Grumpy lost his power
(b) Penelope disappeared
(c) The entire town began to giggle uncontrollably
(d) The town became silent

7. What did Grumpy and Penelope do to bring back the town’s happiness?
(a) They cast a spell to control the laughter
(b) They made everyone stop laughing
(c) They brought in a new gargoyle
(d) They left the town

8. What did the people of Willowbrook learn from this experience?
(a) Laughter should be avoided at all costs
(b) The importance of balance in laughter
(c) Only children should be allowed to laugh
(d) Laughter is unnecessary for happiness

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Penelope realizes her mistake and seeks Grumpy’s forgiveness, pledging to make things right again.
2. The Great Giggling Gargoyle’s name is Happy.
3. After Penelope’s curse, the entire town of Willowbrook starts giggling uncontrollably.
4. Grumpy and Penelope work together to bring back unbalanced laughter to Willowbrook, spreading sadness throughout the town.
5. The chaos caused by the constant giggling makes the once-happy town miserable.
6. Grumpy’s tears have magical effects, such as making flowers bloom and birds sing.
7. Penelope’s plan to imprison Grumpy succeeds when his laughter causes her spell to backfire.
8. Penelope is a wicked sorceress who wants to steal Grumpy’s power.
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. What was the unique power of the Great Giggling Gargoyle?
The unique power of the Great Giggling Gargoyle was that whenever he giggled, magical things would happen.

2. Why did Penelope want to steal Grumpy’s power?
Penelope was jealous of the town’s joy and wanted to steal Grumpy’s power for herself.

3. How did Grumpy escape from Penelope’s spell?
Grumpy used his cleverness to escape from Penelope’s spell.

4. What happened to the town after Penelope’s curse combined with Grumpy’s laughter?
The town turned into a place of constant giggling, causing chaos and making it nearly impossible for anyone to carry on with their normal lives.

5. How did Penelope realize her mistakes?
Penelope saw the chaos she had caused and realized the errors of her ways.

6. What was the plan that Grumpy and Penelope came up with to bring back happiness to the town?
Grumpy used his laughter to cast a spell that would bring back the town’s happiness, but this time, it would be balanced so that people could enjoy life without disruptions.

7. Where did Grumpy and Penelope go to spread laughter after the town was happy again?
Grumpy and Penelope visited schools, hospitals, and homes to spread laughter wherever they went.

8. What lesson did the people of Willowbrook learn from their experience with too much laughter?
The people of Willowbrook learned the importance of balance in laughter and that a little laughter is good for the soul, but too much of it can cause chaos.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) stood
(2) Gargoyle
(3) loved
(4) giggle
(5) magical
(6) Penelope
(7) curse
(8) impossible
(9) normal
(10) became
(11) things
(12) returned
(13) visited
(14) homes
(15) Giggling
(16) smile
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. cathedral
Answer: (A) A large and important church, often the seat of a bishop

2. gargoyle
Answer: (F) A grotesque carved human or animal figure, especially one used as a rainspout on a building

3. sorceress
Answer: (H) A woman who practices magic; a witch

4. menacing
Answer: (O) Suggesting the presence of danger; threatening

5. clutches
Answer: (B) A firm grip or hold

6. backfire
Answer: (C) To have the opposite effect to what was intended

7. chaos
Answer: (K) Complete disorder and confusion

8. pledge
Answer: (M) A solemn promise or undertaking

9. spell
Answer: (L) A word, phrase, or form of words supposed to have magic power

10. disruptions
Answer: (I) Interruptions or disturbances that prevent things from continuing normally

11. embraced
Answer: (E) To accept or welcome with open arms

12. soul
Answer: (D) The spiritual or immaterial part of a human being or animal, often regarded as immortal

13. chaotic
Answer: (G) Adjective form of “chaos”

14. flourish
Answer: (N) To grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way

15. balance
Answer: (J) An even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What was the name of the grand old cathedral in Willowbrook?
Answer: (a) Willowbrook Cathedral

2. Why was the gargoyle called the Great Giggling Gargoyle?
Answer: (d) Because he loved to giggle

3. What happened when Grumpy giggled?
Answer: (c) Magical things would happen

4. What was the wicked sorceress’ name?
Answer: (b) Penelope

5. Why did Penelope want to steal Grumpy’s power?
Answer: (d) She was jealous of the town’s joy

6. What happened when Penelope’s spell backfired?
Answer: (c) The entire town began to giggle uncontrollably

7. What did Grumpy and Penelope do to bring back the town’s happiness?
Answer: (a) They cast a spell to control the laughter

8. What did the people of Willowbrook learn from this experience?
Answer: (b) The importance of balance in laughter
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Penelope realizes her mistake and seeks Grumpy’s forgiveness, pledging to make things right again. (Answer: True)
2. The Great Giggling Gargoyle’s name is Happy. (Answer: False)
3. After Penelope’s curse, the entire town of Willowbrook starts giggling uncontrollably. (Answer: True)
4. Grumpy and Penelope work together to bring back unbalanced laughter to Willowbrook, spreading sadness throughout the town. (Answer: False)
5. The chaos caused by the constant giggling makes the once-happy town miserable. (Answer: True)
6. Grumpy’s tears have magical effects, such as making flowers bloom and birds sing. (Answer: False)
7. Penelope’s plan to imprison Grumpy succeeds when his laughter causes her spell to backfire. (Answer: False)
8. Penelope is a wicked sorceress who wants to steal Grumpy’s power. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧