In a small, bustling village named Pebblebrook, something unexpectedly peculiar occurred one sunny morning. The townsfolk woke up to discover their beloved park had transformed overnight. Hundreds of stones, once gray and dull, were magically painted with bright colors and whimsical designs. There were stones shaped like smiling suns, cheeky monkeys, and even a dragon that looked suspiciously like Mr. Hootington, the village owl. Everyone wondered who had painted these marvelous stones and why.

As the villagers gathered around, they began to speculate about the artist. Mrs. Baker, who was known for her sharp wit, declared, “It must be the mischievous squirrels! They always seemed too creative for their own good!” This caused Benny, the village’s resident squirrel, to puff his chest and dramatically deny any involvement. “I’m too busy planning my nut stockpile for winter!” he squeaked, but the villagers only chuckled at his overly serious demeanor.

Determined to crack the case of the painted stones, a trio of brave friends—Tom, Zadie, and Marco—set out on a quest. Armed with a magnifying glass and a snack basket full of sandwiches (because you never know when you might get hungry), they promised to uncover the mystery. They searched high and low, asking everyone in town if they had seen any suspicious activity, even interviewing the village chickens, who clucked and flapped their wings in confusion.

Just when the trio was about to give up hope, they stumbled upon a hidden alley behind the library. To their shock, they spotted a glimmering figure. It was none other than the town’s shy artist, Miss Ethel, who had a knack for painting but never wanted to show her works to anyone. She was diligently painting a giant stone that looked suspiciously like a very colorful watermelon. “What a splendid masterpiece!” Marco yelled, causing Miss Ethel to jump and splash paint everywhere, turning his sandwiches into a kaleidoscope of colors.

With a sheepish smile, Miss Ethel explained that she had painted the stones to spread joy and bring smiles to everyone in Pebblebrook. She wanted to create an annual art festival where people could display their talents. Tom, Zadie, and Marco whirled around in delight, imagining the village filled with art, laughter, and maybe even a little dancing. “Let’s call it the Pebblefest!” Zadie shouted, her eyes shining with excitement.

In the end, the friends convinced Miss Ethel to showcase her work at the village square, where the townsfolk would cheer her on. The following Saturday arrived with a burst of color, music, and laughter as Pebblebrook officially celebrated its first Pebblefest! The villagers learned that sharing your talents can brighten the world and inspire others. With Ethel’s painted stones as the centerpiece, the festival became an annual tradition, reminding everyone that creativity comes in all forms and should be celebrated every day!

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What transformation did the park in Pebblebrook undergo one sunny morning?
2. Who was the first person to speculate about the identity of the artist behind the painted stones?
3. What items did Tom, Zadie, and Marco take with them on their quest to uncover the mystery?
4. Where did the trio of friends eventually find Miss Ethel painting?
5. What was Miss Ethel’s reason for painting the stones in the village?
6. How did the villagers react to Miss Ethel’s artwork during the Pebblefest?
7. What name did Zadie suggest for the annual art festival?
8. What lesson did the villagers learn from the experience of the painted stones and the Pebblefest?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In a small, (1)______ village named Pebblebrook, something unexpectedly peculiar occurred one sunny morning. The townsfolk woke up to discover their beloved park had transformed overnight. Hundreds of stones, once gray and dull, were magically painted with bright (2)______ and (3)______ designs. There were stones shaped like smiling suns, cheeky monkeys, and even a dragon that looked suspiciously like Mr. Hootington, the village owl. Everyone wondered who had painted these marvelous stones and why.

As the villagers gathered around, they (4)______ to speculate about the artist. Mrs. Baker, who was known for her sharp wit, declared, “It must be the mischievous squirrels! They always seemed too creative for their own good!” This caused Benny, the village’s resident squirrel, to puff his chest and dramatically deny any involvement. “I’m too busy (5)______ my nut stockpile for winter!” he squeaked, but the villagers only chuckled at his overly serious demeanor.

Determined to crack the case of the painted stones, a trio of brave friends—Tom, Zadie, and Marco—set out on a quest. Armed with a magnifying (6)______ and a snack (7)______ full of sandwiches (because you never know when you might get hungry), they promised to uncover the mystery. They searched high and low, asking everyone in town if they had seen any (8)______ activity, even interviewing the village chickens, who clucked and flapped their wings in confusion.

Just when the trio was about to give up hope, they (9)______ upon a hidden alley behind the library. To their shock, they spotted a glimmering figure. It was none other than the town’s shy (10)______, Miss Ethel, who had a knack for painting but never wanted to show her works to anyone. She was diligently painting a giant stone that looked suspiciously like a very colorful watermelon. “What a splendid masterpiece!” Marco yelled, causing Miss Ethel to jump and splash paint everywhere, turning his sandwiches into a kaleidoscope of colors.

With a sheepish smile, Miss Ethel (11)______ that she had painted the stones to spread joy and bring (12)______ to everyone in Pebblebrook. She wanted to create an annual art festival where people could display their talents. Tom, Zadie, and Marco whirled around in (13)______, imagining the village filled with art, (14)______, and maybe even a little dancing. “Let’s call it the Pebblefest!” Zadie shouted, her eyes shining with excitement.

In the end, the friends convinced Miss Ethel to showcase her work at the village square, where the townsfolk would cheer her on. The (15)______ Saturday (16)______ with a burst of color, music, and laughter as Pebblebrook officially celebrated its first Pebblefest! The villagers learned that sharing your talents can brighten the world and inspire others. With Ethel’s painted stones as the centerpiece, the festival became an annual tradition, reminding everyone that creativity comes in all forms and should be celebrated every day!
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a creative project you have worked on that made you feel proud?

2. How would you feel if you discovered that someone in your community had a hidden talent?

3. Do you think it’s important for people to share their creative works with others? Why or why not?

4. What is a festival or celebration in your culture that highlights creativity?

5. How would you react if you found out that a quiet person in your life was actually very talented?

6. Do you like participating in community events or festivals? Why or why not?

7. What is a memory you have of a time when you felt inspired by someone else’s creativity?

8. How do you think art can impact a community positively?

9. Do you think it’s better to keep your talents secret or to share them with others? Why?

10. What is a way you express your creativity in your daily life?

11. How would you feel if your favorite place in your town was transformed in a surprising way?

12. Do you think that everyone has a creative side? Why or why not?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. bustling
2. peculiar
3. whimsical
4. speculate
5. mischievous
6. demeanor
7. quest
8. diligently
9. masterpiece
10. sheepish
11. splendid
12. annual
13. showcase
14. talents
15. inspire

Meanings:
(A) The way a person behaves towards others
(B) Playfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way
(C) Occurring once every year
(D) Form a theory or conjecture about a subject without firm evidence
(E) In a way that shows care and conscientiousness in one’s work or duties
(F) A work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship
(G) Causing or showing a fondness for causing trouble in a playful way
(H) Fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative
(I) Full of activity, movement, and energy
(J) A long or arduous search for something
(K) Natural abilities or skills
(L) Showing or feeling embarrassment from shame or a lack of self-confidence
(M) Display or exhibit something to the public
(N) Strange or unusual
(O) Magnificent and very impressive
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What did the townsfolk discover in the park one sunny morning?
(a) A new playground
(b) A fountain
(c) Painted stones
(d) A statue

2. Who was suspected of painting the stones by Mrs. Baker?
(a) The mischievous squirrels
(b) The village chickens
(c) The town mayor
(d) The library staff

3. Who were the trio of friends determined to solve the mystery?
(a) Benny, Mrs. Baker, and Miss Ethel
(b) Tom, Zadie, and Marco
(c) The village chickens
(d) Mr. Hootington, Mrs. Baker, and Tom

4. What did the trio bring with them on their quest?
(a) A map and a compass
(b) A magnifying glass and sandwiches
(c) A camera and a notebook
(d) A treasure chest

5. Who did the trio find painting in the hidden alley behind the library?
(a) Mrs. Baker
(b) Benny the squirrel
(c) Miss Ethel
(d) Mr. Hootington

6. What was Miss Ethel painting when the friends discovered her?
(a) A colorful dragon
(b) A smiling sun
(c) A cheeky monkey
(d) A giant watermelon

7. What did Miss Ethel want to create for the village?
(a) A new park
(b) A community garden
(c) A talent show
(d) An annual art festival

8. What was the name of the festival that the friends decided to call?
(a) Pebblefest
(b) Art in the Park
(c) Colorful Creations
(d) The Joy Festival

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Benny, the city squirrel, admitted involvement in the painting of the stones, claiming he was busy preparing for winter.
2. Hundreds of stones in the park were painted with bright colors and whimsical designs overnight.
3. The village of Pebblebrook experienced a disappointing transformation in its park one sunny morning.
4. The first Pebblefest was celebrated with color, music, and laughter, becoming an annual tradition in Pebblebrook.
5. Mrs. Baker humorously suggested that the mischievous squirrels were responsible for the painted stones.
6. The friends discovered Miss Ethel, the town’s shy artist, painting a giant stone that resembled a colorful watermelon.
7. A quartet of friends named Tom, Zadie, and Marco set out to conceal the mystery behind the painted stones.
8. Miss Ethel’s intention for painting the stones was to spread sadness and cancel an annual art festival called Pebblefest.
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 transformation did the park in Pebblebrook undergo one sunny morning?
The park was magically transformed with hundreds of stones painted in bright colors and whimsical designs.

2. Who was the first person to speculate about the identity of the artist behind the painted stones?
Mrs. Baker was the first person to speculate, suggesting that it must be the mischievous squirrels.

3. What items did Tom, Zadie, and Marco take with them on their quest to uncover the mystery?
They took a magnifying glass and a snack basket full of sandwiches.

4. Where did the trio of friends eventually find Miss Ethel painting?
They found Miss Ethel painting in a hidden alley behind the library.

5. What was Miss Ethel’s reason for painting the stones in the village?
Miss Ethel painted the stones to spread joy and bring smiles to everyone in Pebblebrook, and to create an annual art festival.

6. How did the villagers react to Miss Ethel’s artwork during the Pebblefest?
The villagers cheered her on and celebrated her artwork during the Pebblefest.

7. What name did Zadie suggest for the annual art festival?
Zadie suggested calling it the Pebblefest.

8. What lesson did the villagers learn from the experience of the painted stones and the Pebblefest?
The villagers learned that sharing your talents can brighten the world and inspire others.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) bustling
(2) colors
(3) whimsical
(4) began
(5) planning
(6) glass
(7) basket
(8) suspicious
(9) stumbled
(10) artist
(11) explained
(12) smiles
(13) delight
(14) laughter
(15) following
(16) arrived
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. bustling
Answer: (I) Full of activity, movement, and energy

2. peculiar
Answer: (N) Strange or unusual

3. whimsical
Answer: (B) Playfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way

4. speculate
Answer: (D) Form a theory or conjecture about a subject without firm evidence

5. mischievous
Answer: (G) Causing or showing a fondness for causing trouble in a playful way

6. demeanor
Answer: (A) The way a person behaves towards others

7. quest
Answer: (J) A long or arduous search for something

8. diligently
Answer: (E) In a way that shows care and conscientiousness in one’s work or duties

9. masterpiece
Answer: (F) A work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship

10. sheepish
Answer: (L) Showing or feeling embarrassment from shame or a lack of self-confidence

11. splendid
Answer: (O) Magnificent and very impressive

12. annual
Answer: (C) Occurring once every year

13. showcase
Answer: (M) Display or exhibit something to the public

14. talents
Answer: (K) Natural abilities or skills

15. inspire
Answer: (H) Fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What did the townsfolk discover in the park one sunny morning?
Answer: (c) Painted stones

2. Who was suspected of painting the stones by Mrs. Baker?
Answer: (a) The mischievous squirrels

3. Who were the trio of friends determined to solve the mystery?
Answer: (b) Tom, Zadie, and Marco

4. What did the trio bring with them on their quest?
Answer: (b) A magnifying glass and sandwiches

5. Who did the trio find painting in the hidden alley behind the library?
Answer: (c) Miss Ethel

6. What was Miss Ethel painting when the friends discovered her?
Answer: (d) A giant watermelon

7. What did Miss Ethel want to create for the village?
Answer: (d) An annual art festival

8. What was the name of the festival that the friends decided to call?
Answer: (a) Pebblefest
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Benny, the city squirrel, admitted involvement in the painting of the stones, claiming he was busy preparing for winter. (Answer: False)
2. Hundreds of stones in the park were painted with bright colors and whimsical designs overnight. (Answer: True)
3. The village of Pebblebrook experienced a disappointing transformation in its park one sunny morning. (Answer: False)
4. The first Pebblefest was celebrated with color, music, and laughter, becoming an annual tradition in Pebblebrook. (Answer: True)
5. Mrs. Baker humorously suggested that the mischievous squirrels were responsible for the painted stones. (Answer: True)
6. The friends discovered Miss Ethel, the town’s shy artist, painting a giant stone that resembled a colorful watermelon. (Answer: True)
7. A quartet of friends named Tom, Zadie, and Marco set out to conceal the mystery behind the painted stones. (Answer: False)
8. Miss Ethel’s intention for painting the stones was to spread sadness and cancel an annual art festival called Pebblefest. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧