Once upon a time in a faraway land, there existed a magical place known as the Shimmering Lake. This lake was no ordinary body of water; it sparkled like thousands of tiny stars had fallen into it, tempting creatures from all over to seek its mysteries. Many animals believed that whoever could solve three clever riddles posed by the lake’s resident guardian, a wise and slightly eccentric frog named Sir Ribbit, would be granted a wish. However, solving the riddles was no small feat.

One sunny morning, a brave squirrel named Nutty decided it was her time to shine. Determined to win a wish that could help her community gather enough acorns to last through winter, she scampered to the edge of the Shimmering Lake. As Nutty approached, Sir Ribbit hopped into view, wearing a tiny top hat and holding a cane made from a twig. “Welcome, brave adventurer!” he croaked. “To win your wish, you must answer my three riddles. Are you ready?”

“Absolutely!” exclaimed Nutty, her tail twitching with excitement. Sir Ribbit cleared his throat dramatically and posed his first riddle, “I have keys but open no locks. I have space but no room. You can enter, but you can’t go outside. What am I?” Nutty scratched her head, deep in thought. After a comical series of guesses—including a very confused crocodile and a silly pancake—Nutty finally shouted, “A piano!” The frog chuckled, impressed. “Correct! On to the next!”

With newfound confidence, Nutty braced herself for the second riddle. “I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come alive with the wind. What am I?” For what felt like an eternity, Nutty pondered in silence. Clapping her tiny paws, she suddenly exclaimed, “An echo!” Sir Ribbit clapped his froggy hands in delight. “Well done! One last riddle to go, and your wish will be yours!”

Nutty was almost bouncing with excitement when Sir Ribbit proclaimed, “Here is your final challenge: What runs around the yard without moving?” Nutty scratched her chin and made a series of faces, imagining a very clumsy dog trying to catch its tail. Suddenly, she burst into laughter. “A fence!” she declared triumphantly. Sir Ribbit leapt high in the air, tipping his hat. “You’ve done it! You have correctly answered all three riddles!”

As Nutty prepared to make her wish, she realized it was not just about how many acorns she could hoard, but how everyone in her community could benefit from one simple wish. With a beaming smile, Nutty wished for a big, cheerful festival where everyone could come together, share food, and enjoy games. Sir Ribbit laughed and agreed, for he had come to understand that true happiness comes from sharing with others. And so, the Shimmering Lake became the site of a grand celebration, teaching Nutty and her friends that the best wishes of all are those that spread joy to everyone.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the significance of the Shimmering Lake in the story?
2. Who is Sir Ribbit and what role does he play in Nutty’s adventure?
3. Describe the first riddle posed by Sir Ribbit and how Nutty solved it.
4. What was Nutty’s wish, and how did it reflect her values?
5. How did Nutty’s approach to her wish change throughout the story?
6. What qualities did Nutty display during her encounter with Sir Ribbit?
7. How did the community benefit from Nutty’s wish?
8. What lesson did Nutty learn by the end of the story regarding happiness and sharing?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time in a faraway land, there (1)______ a magical place known as the Shimmering Lake. This lake was no ordinary body of water; it sparkled like thousands of tiny stars had fallen into it, tempting creatures from all over to seek its mysteries. Many (2)______ believed that whoever could solve three clever (3)______ posed by the lake’s resident guardian, a wise and slightly eccentric frog named Sir Ribbit, would be granted a wish. However, solving the riddles was no small feat.

One sunny morning, a brave squirrel named Nutty decided it was her time to shine. Determined to win a wish that could help her community gather (4)______ acorns to last through winter, she scampered to the edge of the Shimmering Lake. As Nutty approached, Sir Ribbit hopped into view, wearing a tiny top hat and holding a cane made from a twig. “Welcome, brave adventurer!” he croaked. “To win your wish, you must answer my three riddles. Are you ready?”

“Absolutely!” exclaimed Nutty, her tail twitching with excitement. Sir Ribbit cleared his throat dramatically and (5)______ his first riddle, “I have keys but open no locks. I have (6)______ but no room. You can enter, but you can’t go outside. What am I?” Nutty scratched her head, deep in thought. After a (7)______ series of guesses—including a very (8)______ crocodile and a silly pancake—Nutty finally shouted, “A piano!” The frog chuckled, impressed. “Correct! On to the next!”

With newfound confidence, Nutty (9)______ herself for the second riddle. “I speak without a mouth and hear without ears. I have no body, but I come (10)______ with the wind. What am I?” For what felt like an eternity, Nutty pondered in silence. Clapping her tiny paws, she suddenly exclaimed, “An echo!” Sir Ribbit clapped his froggy hands in delight. “Well done! One last riddle to go, and your wish will be yours!”

Nutty was almost bouncing with excitement when Sir Ribbit proclaimed, “Here is your final challenge: What runs around the yard without moving?” Nutty scratched her chin and made a series of faces, (11)______ a very clumsy dog trying to catch its tail. Suddenly, she (12)______ into laughter. “A fence!” she declared triumphantly. Sir (13)______ leapt high in the air, tipping his hat. “You’ve done it! You have correctly answered all three riddles!”

As Nutty prepared to make her wish, she realized it was not just about how many acorns she could (14)______, but how everyone in her community could benefit from one simple wish. With a beaming smile, Nutty wished for a big, cheerful festival where everyone could come together, share food, and enjoy games. Sir Ribbit laughed and agreed, for he had come to understand that true happiness comes from (15)______ with others. And so, the Shimmering Lake (16)______ the site of a grand celebration, teaching Nutty and her friends that the best wishes of all are those that spread joy to everyone.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a wish you would make if you had the chance, and why would you choose that wish?
2. How would you feel if you had to solve riddles to achieve something important to you?
3. Do you think it is better to make a wish for yourself or for others? Why or why not?
4. What is a memorable experience you’ve had when you had to solve a difficult problem or challenge?
5. How do you think sharing resources, like Nutty did with her wish, can impact a community?
6. Do you like participating in festivals or community events? Why or why not?
7. What is a time when you had to think creatively to solve a problem?
8. How would you react if you met a character like Sir Ribbit in real life?
9. Do you think riddles are an effective way to challenge someone’s thinking? Why or why not?
10. What is a lesson you have learned from a situation where you had to consider the needs of others?
11. How do you feel about the idea of magic in stories? Does it inspire you in any way?
12. Do you believe that happiness can be found in sharing experiences with others? Why or why not?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. faraway
2. magical
3. sparkling
4. eccentric
5. feat
6. scampered
7. croaked
8. exclaimed
9. dramatically
10. pondered
11. proclaimed
12. triumphant
13. hoard
14. beaming
15. celebration

Meanings:
(A) An achievement that requires great courage or skill
(B) Thought about something carefully
(C) A joyful gathering or event to mark a special occasion
(D) To collect and store a large amount of something
(E) Shining with bright flashes of light
(F) In a way that is intended to create an effect or attract attention
(G) Located at a great distance
(H) Made a deep, harsh sound
(I) Unconventional and slightly strange
(J) Announced officially or publicly
(K) Smiling radiantly
(L) Enchanting or supernatural
(M) Shouted or spoke suddenly with strong emotion
(N) Moved quickly with small, light steps
(O) Feeling or expressing great victory or joy
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Who is the guardian of the Shimmering Lake?
(a) Sir Ribbit
(b) Mr. Crocodile
(c) Lady Duck
(d) Captain Turtle

2. What animal is Nutty?
(a) A rabbit
(b) A frog
(c) A bird
(d) A squirrel

3. What does Nutty wish for after solving the riddles?
(a) A mountain of acorns
(b) A new home
(c) A big, cheerful festival
(d) A magic wand

4. What does Sir Ribbit wear while guarding the lake?
(a) A crown
(b) A tiny top hat
(c) A cape
(d) Glasses

5. What was the first riddle posed by Sir Ribbit?
(a) “I have keys but open no locks.”
(b) “What runs around the yard without moving?”
(c) “I speak without a mouth.”
(d) “What has a heart that doesn’t beat?”

6. What did Nutty answer for the second riddle?
(a) A shadow
(b) The wind
(c) An echo
(d) A whisper

7. How did Nutty feel when she approached the Shimmering Lake?
(a) Nervous
(b) Angry
(c) Confused
(d) Excited

8. What lesson did Nutty learn from her wish?
(a) Wishes should be kept secret.
(b) True happiness comes from sharing with others.
(c) It’s better to wish for personal gain.
(d) Riddles are always difficult to solve.

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Nutty successfully answers three riddles posed by Sir Ribbit to earn her wish.
2. Nutty, the timid squirrel, seeks a curse to hinder her community gather enough acorns for winter.
3. The second riddle is about something that speaks without a mouth and hears without ears, which Nutty identifies as “an echo.”
4. The Sparkling Lake is described as a mundane place that twinkles like stars.
5. Instead of wishing for acorns for herself, Nutty wishes for a drought to scatter her community apart, emphasizing the importance of sharing sorrow.
6. The final riddle asks what runs around the yard without moving, to which Nutty answers “a fence.”
7. The first riddle involves something that has locks but opens no keys, which Nutty answers correctly as “a piano.”
8. Sir Ribbit, the guardian of the lake, is a wise and eccentric frog who wears a top hat and carries a twig cane.
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 is the significance of the Shimmering Lake in the story?
The Shimmering Lake is a magical place where creatures come to seek its mysteries and where wishes can be granted by solving three clever riddles posed by its guardian, Sir Ribbit.

2. Who is Sir Ribbit and what role does he play in Nutty’s adventure?
Sir Ribbit is a wise and slightly eccentric frog who serves as the guardian of the Shimmering Lake. He poses the three riddles that Nutty must solve in order to earn her wish.

3. Describe the first riddle posed by Sir Ribbit and how Nutty solved it.
The first riddle was, “I have keys but open no locks. I have space but no room. You can enter, but you can’t go outside. What am I?” Nutty eventually solved it by realizing the answer was “a piano” after several incorrect guesses.

4. What was Nutty’s wish, and how did it reflect her values?
Nutty wished for a big, cheerful festival where everyone could come together, share food, and enjoy games. This wish reflected her values of community, sharing, and the importance of bringing joy to others.

5. How did Nutty’s approach to her wish change throughout the story?
Initially, Nutty’s focus was on gathering acorns for herself, but as she progressed through the riddles, she realized that her wish could benefit the entire community, leading her to wish for a festival instead.

6. What qualities did Nutty display during her encounter with Sir Ribbit?
Nutty displayed bravery, determination, cleverness, and a sense of community throughout her encounter with Sir Ribbit as she confidently tackled the riddles and ultimately chose a selfless wish.

7. How did the community benefit from Nutty’s wish?
The community benefited from Nutty’s wish by coming together for a grand celebration where they could share food, enjoy games, and foster a sense of togetherness and joy.

8. What lesson did Nutty learn by the end of the story regarding happiness and sharing?
Nutty learned that true happiness comes from sharing and that the best wishes are those that spread joy to everyone, not just oneself.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) existed
(2) animals
(3) riddles
(4) enough
(5) posed
(6) space
(7) comical
(8) confused
(9) braced
(10) alive
(11) imagining
(12) burst
(13) Ribbit
(14) hoard
(15) sharing
(16) became
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. faraway
Answer: (G) Located at a great distance

2. magical
Answer: (L) Enchanting or supernatural

3. sparkling
Answer: (E) Shining with bright flashes of light

4. eccentric
Answer: (I) Unconventional and slightly strange

5. feat
Answer: (A) An achievement that requires great courage or skill

6. scampered
Answer: (N) Moved quickly with small, light steps

7. croaked
Answer: (H) Made a deep, harsh sound

8. exclaimed
Answer: (M) Shouted or spoke suddenly with strong emotion

9. dramatically
Answer: (F) In a way that is intended to create an effect or attract attention

10. pondered
Answer: (B) Thought about something carefully

11. proclaimed
Answer: (J) Announced officially or publicly

12. triumphant
Answer: (O) Feeling or expressing great victory or joy

13. hoard
Answer: (D) To collect and store a large amount of something

14. beaming
Answer: (K) Smiling radiantly

15. celebration
Answer: (C) A joyful gathering or event to mark a special occasion
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Who is the guardian of the Shimmering Lake?
Answer: (a) Sir Ribbit

2. What animal is Nutty?
Answer: (d) A squirrel

3. What does Nutty wish for after solving the riddles?
Answer: (c) A big, cheerful festival

4. What does Sir Ribbit wear while guarding the lake?
Answer: (b) A tiny top hat

5. What was the first riddle posed by Sir Ribbit?
Answer: (a) “I have keys but open no locks.”

6. What did Nutty answer for the second riddle?
Answer: (c) An echo

7. How did Nutty feel when she approached the Shimmering Lake?
Answer: (d) Excited

8. What lesson did Nutty learn from her wish?
Answer: (b) True happiness comes from sharing with others.
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Nutty successfully answers three riddles posed by Sir Ribbit to earn her wish. (Answer: True)
2. Nutty, the timid squirrel, seeks a curse to hinder her community gather enough acorns for winter. (Answer: False)
3. The second riddle is about something that speaks without a mouth and hears without ears, which Nutty identifies as “an echo.” (Answer: True)
4. The Sparkling Lake is described as a mundane place that twinkles like stars. (Answer: False)
5. Instead of wishing for acorns for herself, Nutty wishes for a drought to scatter her community apart, emphasizing the importance of sharing sorrow. (Answer: False)
6. The final riddle asks what runs around the yard without moving, to which Nutty answers “a fence.” (Answer: True)
7. The first riddle involves something that has locks but opens no keys, which Nutty answers correctly as “a piano.” (Answer: False)
8. Sir Ribbit, the guardian of the lake, is a wise and eccentric frog who wears a top hat and carries a twig cane. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧