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 Magic of Friendship

Once upon a time, there were two best friends named Susan and Sarah. They were always together and shared a special bond.

One day, they decided to explore the woods near their home. As they were walking, they noticed a strange little bush with bright red berries. The bush was twinkling and they wondered what it could be.

Curiously, Susan reached out and plucked one of the berries. Instantly, the bush began to glow brighter and brighter until finally it flew up into the sky and disappeared.

Susan and Sarah were amazed! They wondered what had happened.

Just then, a magical fairy appeared and said, โ€œThat bush was a magical wish maker and you have just made a wish!โ€

The fairy explained that because Susan and Sarah were best friends, the wish had come true. They were filled with joy and hugged each other tightly.

From then on, Susan and Sarah knew the true magic of friendship. Whenever they were together, they could make any wish come true.

The end.

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Vocabulary

1. Explore (verb): To look at, search, and investigate a place or thing.
2. Strange (adjective): Unusual or different in a way that is unexpected or hard to explain.
3. Twinkling (adjective): Shining with a flickering or sparkly light.
4. Curiously (adverb): In a way that shows interest or fascination.
5. Plucked (verb): To pull or take something with a quick movement.
6. Magical (adjective): Having mysterious and supernatural powers.
7. Wish (noun): A strong desire or hope for something to happen.
8. Fairy (noun): A magical creature with wings and magical powers.
9. Joy (noun): A feeling of great happiness and pleasure.
10. Hug (verb): To hold someone tightly in your arms.

Comprehension Questions

1. What were the names of the two best friends?
2. What did Susan and Sarah decide to do one day?
3. What did they notice when they were walking in the woods?
4. What happened when Susan plucked one of the berries from the bush?
5. Who appeared after the bush flew away?
6. What did the fairy explain to Susan and Sarah?
7. How did Susan and Sarah feel after their wish came true?
8. What did Susan and Sarah learn about friendship?
9. What happened when Susan and Sarah were together?
10. What was the result of Susan and Sarah’s magical wish?

Gap Fill Questions

1. Susan and Sarah were _________ friends.
2. The strange bush had ________ red berries.
3. When Susan plucked a berry from the bush, it began to ________ brighter.
4. The bush then flew _________ into the sky.
5. A magical ________ appeared and explained that the bush was a wish maker.
6. Because Susan and Sarah were best friends, the wish _________ true.
7. Susan and Sarah were _________ with joy.
8. Whenever Susan and Sarah were together, they could make any ________ come true.
9. The magical fairy said that the wish had _________ true.
10. The true magic of friendship was _________ by Susan and Sarah.

Conversation Questions

1. What do you think makes friendship so special?
2. How do you think you can tell if someone is a true friend?
3. What do you think is the most important part of a friendship?
4. How has having a good friend in your life made a difference?
5. What do you think are some of the benefits of having a close friend?
6. What do you think are some of the negative aspects of having a close friend?
7. How have your friendships changed over time?
8. What do you think is the best way to make and maintain a strong friendship?
9. What advice would you give someone who is trying to make a new friend?
10. Why do you think it’s important to have meaningful friendships in life?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Susan and Sarah
2. Explore the woods near their home
3. A strange little bush with bright red berries
4. The bush began to glow brighter and brighter until finally it flew up into the sky and disappeared
5. A magical fairy
6. That the bush was a magical wish maker and they had just made a wish
7. Filled with joy
8. The true magic of friendship
9. They could make any wish come true
10. Their wish came true

Gap Fill Question Answers:

1. Susan and Sarah were best friends.
2. The strange bush had bright red berries.
3. When Susan plucked a berry from the bush, it began to glow brighter.
4. The bush then flew up into the sky.
5. A magical fairy appeared and explained that the bush was a wish maker.
6. Because Susan and Sarah were best friends, the wish came true.
7. Susan and Sarah were filled with joy.
8. Whenever Susan and Sarah were together, they could make any wish come true.
9. The magical fairy said that the wish had come true.
10. The true magic of friendship was discovered by Susan and Sarah.

๐Ÿ“š How about these other Level 2 stories?

A jolly jellyfish named Finley gets lost in the deep sea but finds new friends along the way.

The Jolly Jellyfish

Finley the jellyfish gets lost in a storm, but makes new friends and finds his way back home.

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

The Mysterious Mango

Maya found a magical mango that made everyone laugh, so she decided to spread laughter everywhere.

Silly Sally's interactive circus cake, complete with a mischievous kitten, wins The Great Cake Contest.

The Great Cake Contest

In Sweetopia, bakers made fancy cakes for The Great Cake Contest. Silly Sally’s cake got a surprise visitor, but she turned it into a fun game and won the contest!

Captain Pete, the Polka-Dot Pirate, embarks on a treasure hunt and discovers the true meaning of sharing.

The Polka-Dot Pirate

Captain Pete, a pirate who loved polka-dots, found a special dotted treasure on an island and learned to share it with others.

Peter the mischievous penguin learns the importance of bringing joy to others through a grand party.

The Playful Penguin’s Party

Peter the penguin loves throwing parties, but he forgot the music – luckily, his friend Sammy the seal helps him out and they have the best party ever!

Embarking on a magical adventure in Vegetable Land, Max discovers that vegetables are superheroes in disguise.

The Voyage to Vegetable Land

Max, a boy who hated vegetables, went on an adventure to Vegetable Land and met talking veggies who changed his mind about healthy food.

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