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 Invisible Unicorn

An invisible unicorn named Bella discovers the power of friendship and the magic of being seen.

Try this story at a different level?

 

Once upon a time in the enchanted forest, there lived a unique creature named Bella. She was an invisible unicorn, which meant no one could see her. Bella loved exploring the forest, but it was always a challenge because she had to be extra careful not to bump into other animals. One day, while trotting through the thick woods, Bella heard a faint cry for help. She followed the sound and discovered a little squirrel trapped on a high branch.

Feeling mischievous, Bella decided to use her invisibility to play a trick on the squirrel. She stood right behind it and gently nudged the squirrel with her invisible horn. Startled, the squirrel jumped off the branch and landed safely on the ground. Now realizing the squirrel’s fear, Bella decided to reveal herself, and they both laughed heartily.

Bella and her new friend, Sammy the squirrel, quickly became inseparable. They embarked on thrilling adventures together. Bella taught Sammy how to find hidden paths through the forest, while Sammy introduced Bella to a secret waterfall where they could swim and play. The duo’s friendship grew stronger each day, but Bella couldn’t help but feel a little sad that nobody else could see her.

One sunny afternoon, Bella and Sammy stumbled upon a grand meadow filled with curious creatures like talking flowers and musical butterflies. The meadow was home to a wise old owl named Ollie. Bella approached Ollie, who had keen ears despite his age, and shared her desire to be seen. Ollie pondered for a moment, then suggested they visit the magical pond deep within the meadow.

As they reached the pond, Ollie whispered a special incantation and sprinkled some enchanted dust over Bella. Suddenly, Bella’s shimmering body became visible like a hologram. Estatic, Bella jumped for joy. Now, not only Sammy but all the creatures in the meadow could see her.

Bella learned a valuable lesson on that magical day – true friendship is not based on appearances, but on the bond shared between hearts. From that day forward, Bella continued exploring the enchanted forest with Sammy and all her new friends. The invisible unicorn, once lonely, had now become the center of attention, brimming with confidence and happiness. Bella showed everyone that sometimes the most extraordinary things are invisible to the eye but can be felt with the heart, and that is truly magical.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

1enchantedMagical or charmed, often in a way that is delightful or captivating
2uniqueBeing the only one of its kind; unlike anything else
3invisibleNot able to be seen by the eye
4challengeA task or situation that tests someone’s abilities
5faintBarely perceptible or very weak
6mischievousPlayfully causing trouble or acting in a teasing manner
7startledCaused to feel sudden shock or alarm
8inseparableUnable to be separated or parted
9meadowA field of grass, often with wildflowers, that is not cultivated
10curiousEager to know or learn something
11ponderedThought deeply about something for a long time
12incantationA series of words said as a magic spell or charm
13hologramA three-dimensional image formed by the interference of light beams
14ecstaticOverwhelmed with intense joy or delight
15brimmingFilled to the point of overflowing

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Why was it challenging for Bella to explore the forest?
2. How did Bella trick the squirrel?
3. How did Bella and Sammy become friends?
4. What did Ollie suggest they do to help Bella be seen?
5. How did Bella feel when she became visible?
6. What did Bella learn about true friendship?
7. How did Bella’s life change after becoming visible?
8. What did Bella show everyone about the invisible things in life?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time in the (1)______ forest, there lived a unique creature named Bella. She was an (2)______ unicorn, which meant no one could see her. Bella loved exploring the forest, but it was always a challenge because she had to be extra careful not to bump into other animals. One day, while trotting through the thick woods, Bella (3)______ a faint cry for help. She followed the sound and discovered a little squirrel (4)______ on a high branch.

Feeling mischievous, Bella decided to use her invisibility to play a trick on the squirrel. She stood right behind it and gently nudged the squirrel with her invisible horn. Startled, the squirrel jumped off the branch and landed safely on the ground. Now (5)______ the squirrel’s fear, Bella decided to reveal herself, and they both laughed heartily.

Bella and her new friend, Sammy the squirrel, quickly became inseparable. They embarked on thrilling adventures together. Bella taught Sammy how to find hidden paths through the forest, while Sammy (6)______ Bella to a (7)______ waterfall where they could swim and play. The duo’s friendship grew stronger each day, but Bella couldn’t help but feel a (8)______ sad that nobody else could see her.

One sunny afternoon, (9)______ and Sammy (10)______ upon a grand meadow filled with curious creatures like talking flowers and musical butterflies. The meadow was home to a wise old owl named Ollie. Bella approached Ollie, who had keen ears despite his age, and shared her desire to be seen. Ollie pondered for a moment, then suggested they visit the magical pond deep within the meadow.

As they reached the pond, Ollie whispered a special incantation and sprinkled some enchanted dust over Bella. Suddenly, Bella’s (11)______ body became visible like a hologram. (12)______, Bella jumped for joy. Now, not only Sammy but all the creatures in the meadow could see her.

Bella learned a (13)______ lesson on that magical day – true (14)______ is not based on appearances, but on the bond shared between hearts. From that day forward, Bella continued (15)______ the enchanted forest with Sammy and all her new friends. The invisible unicorn, once lonely, had now become the center of attention, brimming with confidence and happiness. Bella showed everyone that sometimes the most (16)______ things are invisible to the eye but can be felt with the heart, and that is truly magical.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a unique creature? Why or why not do you think it would be fun to be a unique creature?
2. How would you feel if you were Bella and nobody could see you? Why?
3. Do you think it was kind of Bella to play a trick on the squirrel? Why or why not?
4. What is a bond? Why is it important in friendships?
5. How do you think Bella felt when she became visible to everyone? Why?
6. Do you think it’s important for friends to have common interests? Why or why not?
7. Have you ever felt lonely? How did you deal with it?
8. What is something that you can feel with your heart but cannot see? Why do you think it is important?
9. How would you feel if you had a friend who was invisible? Why?
10. Do you think it’s important to be confident? Why or why not?
11. Have you ever had a special bond with someone? How did it make you feel?
12. Do you think it’s possible for something to be extraordinary even if it cannot be seen? Why or why not?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. enchanted
2. unique
3. invisible
4. challenge
5. faint
6. mischievous
7. startled
8. inseparable
9. meadow
10. curious
11. pondered
12. incantation
13. hologram
14. ecstatic
15. brimming

Meanings:
(A) Filled to the point of overflowing
(B) A field of grass, often with wildflowers, that is not cultivated
(C) Magical or charmed, often in a way that is delightful or captivating
(D) Unable to be separated or parted
(E) A series of words said as a magic spell or charm
(F) Not able to be seen by the eye
(G) Barely perceptible or very weak
(H) A three-dimensional image formed by the interference of light beams
(I) Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else
(J) Eager to know or learn something
(K) Playfully causing trouble or acting in a teasing manner
(L) Overwhelmed with intense joy or delight
(M) Thought deeply about something for a long time
(N) Caused to feel sudden shock or alarm
(O) A task or situation that tests someone’s abilities
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What kind of creature is Bella?
(a) Talking flower
(b) Musical butterfly
(c) Invisible unicorn
(d) Wise old owl

2. How did Bella help the squirrel?
(a) She flew it to safety
(b) She called for help
(c) She nudged it with her invisible horn
(d) She ignored it

3. Who did Bella and Sammy meet in the grand meadow?
(a) Bella’s invisible friends
(b) Ollie the wise old owl
(c) Sammy’s squirrel family
(d) Talking flowers and musical butterflies

4. What did Ollie suggest they do to help Bella be seen?
(a) Visit the magical pond
(b) Climb a tall tree
(c) Sing a special song
(d) Dance with the butterflies

5. How did Bella become visible?
(a) She jumped into the magical pond
(b) Sammy hugged her tightly
(c) She closed her eyes and wished really hard
(d) Ollie sprinkled enchanted dust over her

6. What did Bella learn about true friendship?
(a) It is only for creatures who can see each other
(b) It is based on how popular you are
(c) It is based on how many tricks you can play
(d) It is not based on appearances, but on the bond shared between hearts

7. How did Bella feel before she became visible?
(a) Extremely happy
(b) A little sad
(c) Angry at the other animals
(d) Bored and lonely

8. What did Bella become after she became visible?
(a) The center of attention, brimming with confidence and happiness
(b) A talking flower
(c) A musical butterfly
(d) A wise old owl

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Bella is a visible unicorn who lives in a normal forest.
2. Bella loves exploring the forest but has to be careful not to bump into other animals.
3. Bella teaches Sammy the squirrel how to find hidden paths through the forest.
4. With the help of a wise old owl and a magical pond, Bella becomes visible and continues her adventures with her new friends.
5. Bella conceals herself from the squirrel and they remain complete strangers.
6. Bella feels happy that nobody else can see her and wants to remain invisible.
7. Bella ignores a trapped squirrel and decides to prank it using her invisibility.
8. Sammy introduces Bella to a secret waterfall where they can swim and play.
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. Why was it challenging for Bella to explore the forest?
Bella was an invisible unicorn, so she had to be extra careful not to bump into other animals.

2. How did Bella trick the squirrel?
Bella stood behind the squirrel and gently nudged it with her invisible horn, causing it to jump off the branch.

3. How did Bella and Sammy become friends?
After Bella saved Sammy from the high branch, they laughed together and quickly became inseparable.

4. What did Ollie suggest they do to help Bella be seen?
Ollie suggested they visit the magical pond deep within the meadow, where he sprinkled enchanted dust over Bella to make her visible.

5. How did Bella feel when she became visible?
Bella felt ecstatic and jumped for joy when she realized she could finally be seen.

6. What did Bella learn about true friendship?
Bella learned that true friendship is not based on appearances, but on the bond shared between hearts.

7. How did Bella’s life change after becoming visible?
After becoming visible, Bella became the center of attention and gained confidence and happiness. She continued exploring the forest with Sammy and her new friends.

8. What did Bella show everyone about the invisible things in life?
Bella showed everyone that sometimes the most extraordinary things are invisible to the eye but can be felt with the heart, and that is truly magical.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) enchanted
(2) invisible
(3) heard
(4) trapped
(5) realizing
(6) introduced
(7) secret
(8) little
(9) Bella
(10) stumbled
(11) shimmering
(12) Estatic
(13) valuable
(14) friendship
(15) exploring
(16) extraordinary
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. enchanted
Answer: (C) Magical or charmed, often in a way that is delightful or captivating

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

3. invisible
Answer: (F) Not able to be seen by the eye

4. challenge
Answer: (O) A task or situation that tests someone’s abilities

5. faint
Answer: (G) Barely perceptible or very weak

6. mischievous
Answer: (K) Playfully causing trouble or acting in a teasing manner

7. startled
Answer: (N) Caused to feel sudden shock or alarm

8. inseparable
Answer: (D) Unable to be separated or parted

9. meadow
Answer: (B) A field of grass, often with wildflowers, that is not cultivated

10. curious
Answer: (J) Eager to know or learn something

11. pondered
Answer: (M) Thought deeply about something for a long time

12. incantation
Answer: (E) A series of words said as a magic spell or charm

13. hologram
Answer: (H) A three-dimensional image formed by the interference of light beams

14. ecstatic
Answer: (L) Overwhelmed with intense joy or delight

15. brimming
Answer: (A) Filled to the point of overflowing
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What kind of creature is Bella?
Answer: (c) Invisible unicorn

2. How did Bella help the squirrel?
Answer: (c) She nudged it with her invisible horn

3. Who did Bella and Sammy meet in the grand meadow?
Answer: (b) Ollie the wise old owl

4. What did Ollie suggest they do to help Bella be seen?
Answer: (a) Visit the magical pond

5. How did Bella become visible?
Answer: (d) Ollie sprinkled enchanted dust over her

6. What did Bella learn about true friendship?
Answer: (d) It is not based on appearances, but on the bond shared between hearts

7. How did Bella feel before she became visible?
Answer: (b) A little sad

8. What did Bella become after she became visible?
Answer: (a) The center of attention, brimming with confidence and happiness
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Bella is a visible unicorn who lives in a normal forest. (Answer: False)
2. Bella loves exploring the forest but has to be careful not to bump into other animals. (Answer: True)
3. Bella teaches Sammy the squirrel how to find hidden paths through the forest. (Answer: True)
4. With the help of a wise old owl and a magical pond, Bella becomes visible and continues her adventures with her new friends. (Answer: True)
5. Bella conceals herself from the squirrel and they remain complete strangers. (Answer: False)
6. Bella feels happy that nobody else can see her and wants to remain invisible. (Answer: False)
7. Bella ignores a trapped squirrel and decides to prank it using her invisibility. (Answer: False)
8. Sammy introduces Bella to a secret waterfall where they can swim and play. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 4 stories?

The Friendly Dragon

A friendly dragon named Fred defies stereotypes and spreads kindness, changing perceptions one act at a time.

A mischievous penguin named Percy and a wise snow owl named Oliver form an unbreakable friendship on their journey to the legendary "Penguin Parade."

The Penguin Parade

A mischievous penguin named Percy and a wise snow owl named Oliver form an unbreakable friendship on their journey to the legendary “Penguin Parade.”

In the magical land of Sprinkleville, a mischievous gnome named Minty Mischief plots to steal all the cupcakes from the famous cupcake castle, but a young girl named Ella is determined to stop him and save the town from chaos.

The Cupcake Castle Caper

In the magical land of Sprinkleville, a mischievous gnome named Minty Mischief plots to steal all the cupcakes from the famous cupcake castle, but a young girl named Ella is determined to stop him and save the town from chaos.

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