Once upon a time, in a village surrounded by a lush forest, there lived a boy named Max. Max had a special gift – he could talk to animals. From the moment he uttered his first words, he found that he could understand the chirping of birds, the grunting of pigs, and even the whispers of insects. This unique ability made Max popular among the villagers, who sought his help in communicating with their pets or finding lost animals. Max loved using his gift to help others, and he always had a mischievous grin on his face when he talked with the animals.

One day, while he was wandering through the woods, Max heard a panicked call for help. Following the sound, he discovered a group of animals gathering around a snarling bear that was caught in a hunter’s trap. Max knew he needed to act quickly to save the bear before it got too angry. He approached the bear calmly, using his soothing voice. “Hello, Mr. Bear,” he said. “I understand you’re in a tight spot, but with your strength and my knowledge, we can get you out of here.” The bear stopped growling, curious about the boy who spoke to him. Max gathered the animals’ help, and together they set the bear free.

Being able to talk to animals sometimes got Max into funny situations too. Once, a cheeky raccoon asked him for directions to a delicious garbage bin. Max smiled and showed him the way, only to be scolded by a furious neighbor. Another time, Max’s dog, Buster, started talking about his favorite bone in front of all the neighbors, causing quite a stir. Max couldn’t help but laugh at these comical mishaps.

But Max’s gift also taught him important life lessons. He realized that animals, just like humans, had feelings and deserved love and care. He became an advocate for the protection of wildlife, teaching others about the importance of preserving habitats and treating animals with kindness. Max’s gift brought joy and laughter to his village, and he showed everyone that no matter how different we all seem, we can still find ways to communicate and bond.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What special gift did Max have?
2. How did Max use his gift to help others?
3. What did Max do when he heard the call for help in the woods?
4. How did Max approach the bear caught in the trap?
5. What happened when Max showed the raccoon the way to the garbage bin?
6. How did Max’s dog, Buster, cause a stir in front of the neighbors?
7. What important life lessons did Max learn from his gift?
8. How did Max use his gift to advocate for the protection of wildlife?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time, in a village surrounded by a lush forest, there lived a boy (1)______ Max. Max had a (2)______ gift – he could talk to animals. From the moment he uttered his first words, he found that he could understand the chirping of birds, the grunting of pigs, and even the whispers of insects. This unique ability made Max popular among the villagers, who (3)______ his help in (4)______ with their pets or finding lost animals. Max loved using his gift to help others, and he always had a mischievous grin on his face when he talked with the (5)______.

One day, while he was wandering through the woods, Max heard a panicked call for help. Following the sound, he discovered a group of animals gathering around a (6)______ bear that was caught in a hunter’s trap. Max knew he needed to act quickly to save the bear before it got too angry. He approached the bear calmly, using his (7)______ voice. “Hello, Mr. Bear,” he said. “I understand you’re in a tight spot, but with your strength and my (8)______, we can get you out of here.” The bear (9)______ growling, curious about the boy who (10)______ to him. Max gathered the animals’ help, and together they set the bear free.

Being able to talk to animals sometimes got Max into funny situations too. Once, a cheeky raccoon asked him for (11)______ to a delicious garbage bin. Max smiled and showed him the way, only to be scolded by a furious neighbor. Another time, Max’s dog, Buster, started talking about his favorite bone in front of all the (12)______, causing quite a stir. Max couldn’t help but laugh at these comical mishaps.

But Max’s gift also (13)______ him important life lessons. He realized that animals, just like humans, had feelings and (14)______ love and care. He became an advocate for the protection of wildlife, teaching others about the importance of preserving habitats and treating animals with kindness. Max’s gift (15)______ joy and laughter to his (16)______, and he showed everyone that no matter how different we all seem, we can still find ways to communicate and bond.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What do you think it would be like to be able to talk to animals?
2. How do you think Max’s ability to talk to animals affected his relationships with other people?
3. Do you think it would be helpful or frustrating to have the ability to talk to animals? Why or why not?
4. What is the significance of Max using his gift to help others? How do you think it made him feel?
5. How would you feel if you were in a situation where you needed to save an animal’s life?
6. Do you think it’s important to treat animals with kindness and care? Why or why not?
7. What do you think are some ways we can protect wildlife and preserve habitats?
8. Have you ever had a funny or comical mishap with an animal? Can you share the story?
9. How do you think Max’s gift brought joy and laughter to his village? Can you think of any other ways someone’s unique ability could bring joy to others?
10. Do you think it’s possible for humans and animals to form a bond or connection? Why or why not?
11. What are some ways that humans and animals communicate with each other, even without the ability to talk?
12. Can you think of any other stories or movies where animals and humans form a special connection? How are they similar or different to Max’s story?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. lush
2. unique
3. mischievous
4. panicked
5. snarling
6. soothing
7. strength
8. cheeky
9. scolded
10. comical
11. advocate
12. preserving
13. habitats
14. bond
15. advocate

Meanings:
(A) To publicly support or suggest an idea, development, or way of doing something
(B) Causing laughter or amusement; humorously odd
(C) Rich and abundant in growth or appearance
(D) The quality or state of being strong; physical power or capacity
(E) A person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy
(F) Feeling or showing sudden alarm or fear
(G) Reprimanded or criticized someone for their actions
(H) Having a calming or gentle effect
(I) Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else
(J) Playfully naughty or troublesome
(K) Making an aggressive growl with bared teeth
(L) A strong connection, relationship, or shared feeling between people
(M) Maintaining something in its original or existing state
(N) The natural environments in which a particular species lives
(O) Impudent or irreverent in a playful or appealing way
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What special gift does Max have?
(a) He can fly
(b) He can read minds
(c) He can see the future
(d) He can talk to animals

2. How did Max use his gift to help others?
(a) By predicting the weather
(b) By communicating with their pets
(c) By solving math problems
(d) By cooking delicious meals

3. What did Max do when he found the bear caught in a trap?
(a) He approached the bear calmly and set it free
(b) He ran away in fear
(c) He called for help from the villagers
(d) He ignored the bear and continued walking

4. What happened when Max showed a raccoon the way to a garbage bin?
(a) He got scolded by a furious neighbor
(b) The raccoon thanked him and went on its way
(c) The raccoon stole Max’s lunch
(d) The raccoon turned into a prince

5. How did Max’s dog, Buster, cause a stir in the neighborhood?
(a) He chased after the mailman
(b) He dug up the neighbor’s garden
(c) He started talking about his favorite bone
(d) He performed tricks for the neighbors

6. What important life lessons did Max learn from his gift?
(a) Animals can fly
(b) Animals have feelings and deserve love and care
(c) Animals are smarter than humans
(d) Animals should be kept in cages

7. What did Max become an advocate for?
(a) The destruction of habitats
(b) The hunting of animals
(c) The protection of wildlife
(d) The mistreatment of animals

8. What did Max show his village through his gift?
(a) That animals are dangerous and should be avoided
(b) That animals should be kept as pets
(c) That humans are superior to animals
(d) That no matter how different we all seem, we can still find ways to communicate and bond

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Max’s gift sometimes gets him into funny situations, like giving directions to a raccoon to a garbage bin.
2. Max hinders the villagers by communicating with their pets and finding lost animals.
3. Max uses his soothing voice to calm down a snarling bear caught in a trap.
4. Max is unpopular among the villagers for his unique gift.
5. Max has the ability to talk to animals.
6. Max becomes an advocate for the protection of wildlife and teaches others about the importance of treating animals with kindness.
7. Max ignores a call for help from a group of animals in the forest.
8. Max’s gift brings sadness and silence to his village, showing that communication and bonding cannot happen despite differences.
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 special gift did Max have?
Max had the ability to talk to animals.

2. How did Max use his gift to help others?
Max used his gift to help others by communicating with their pets and finding lost animals.

3. What did Max do when he heard the call for help in the woods?
Max followed the sound and discovered a bear caught in a hunter’s trap.

4. How did Max approach the bear caught in the trap?
Max approached the bear calmly and used his soothing voice to communicate with it.

5. What happened when Max showed the raccoon the way to the garbage bin?
Max was scolded by a furious neighbor.

6. How did Max’s dog, Buster, cause a stir in front of the neighbors?
Buster started talking about his favorite bone in front of the neighbors, causing a commotion.

7. What important life lessons did Max learn from his gift?
Max learned that animals have feelings and deserve love and care.

8. How did Max use his gift to advocate for the protection of wildlife?
Max taught others about the importance of preserving habitats and treating animals with kindness.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) named
(2) special
(3) sought
(4) communicating
(5) animals
(6) snarling
(7) soothing
(8) knowledge
(9) stopped
(10) spoke
(11) directions
(12) neighbors
(13) taught
(14) deserved
(15) brought
(16) village
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. lush
Answer: (C) Rich and abundant in growth or appearance

2. unique
Answer: (I) Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else

3. mischievous
Answer: (J) Playfully naughty or troublesome

4. panicked
Answer: (F) Feeling or showing sudden alarm or fear

5. snarling
Answer: (K) Making an aggressive growl with bared teeth

6. soothing
Answer: (H) Having a calming or gentle effect

7. strength
Answer: (D) The quality or state of being strong; physical power or capacity

8. cheeky
Answer: (O) Impudent or irreverent in a playful or appealing way

9. scolded
Answer: (G) Reprimanded or criticized someone for their actions

10. comical
Answer: (B) Causing laughter or amusement; humorously odd

11. advocate
Answer: (E) A person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy

12. preserving
Answer: (M) Maintaining something in its original or existing state

13. habitats
Answer: (N) The natural environments in which a particular species lives

14. bond
Answer: (L) A strong connection, relationship, or shared feeling between people

15. advocate
Answer: (A) To publicly support or suggest an idea, development, or way of doing something
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What special gift does Max have?
Answer: (d) He can talk to animals

2. How did Max use his gift to help others?
Answer: (b) By communicating with their pets

3. What did Max do when he found the bear caught in a trap?
Answer: (a) He approached the bear calmly and set it free

4. What happened when Max showed a raccoon the way to a garbage bin?
Answer: (a) He got scolded by a furious neighbor

5. How did Max’s dog, Buster, cause a stir in the neighborhood?
Answer: (c) He started talking about his favorite bone

6. What important life lessons did Max learn from his gift?
Answer: (b) Animals have feelings and deserve love and care

7. What did Max become an advocate for?
Answer: (c) The protection of wildlife

8. What did Max show his village through his gift?
Answer: (d) That no matter how different we all seem, we can still find ways to communicate and bond
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Max’s gift sometimes gets him into funny situations, like giving directions to a raccoon to a garbage bin. (Answer: True)
2. Max hinders the villagers by communicating with their pets and finding lost animals. (Answer: False)
3. Max uses his soothing voice to calm down a snarling bear caught in a trap. (Answer: True)
4. Max is unpopular among the villagers for his unique gift. (Answer: False)
5. Max has the ability to talk to animals. (Answer: True)
6. Max becomes an advocate for the protection of wildlife and teaches others about the importance of treating animals with kindness. (Answer: True)
7. Max ignores a call for help from a group of animals in the forest. (Answer: False)
8. Max’s gift brings sadness and silence to his village, showing that communication and bonding cannot happen despite differences. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧