Once upon a time, in a magical forest far, far away, there lived a little elf named Oliver. Now, Oliver was no ordinary elf; he was the tiniest elf of them all. His friends would often tease him for his small size, but Oliver never let it bother him. He knew that being little didn’t mean he couldn’t do big things.

One sunny day, the elf village was buzzing with excitement. The Great Elf Games were about to begin! All the elves, big and small, would compete to prove their skills and win the grand prize. Oliver couldn’t wait to participate and show everyone what he was capable of.

As the games kicked off, Oliver found himself up against a tricky obstacle course. The first challenge was to cross a wide river using only a thin branch as a bridge. The big elves easily hopped across, but when it was Oliver’s turn, the branch wobbled dangerously. However, with his quick thinking, he wrapped himself in leaves and rolled across the branch like a little ball. The other elves cheered and realized that sometimes, it’s not about brute strength, but using your creative mind to solve a problem.

The second challenge was a race through the enchanted maze. As the other elves rushed ahead, Oliver knew he had to find a unique way to navigate the maze. He climbed up a towering mushroom and studied the layout from above. Walking along the edges, he avoided the confusing twists and turns. While the other elves were still lost, Oliver reached the finish line, surprising everyone with his clever strategy.

The final challenge was a treasure hunt deep in the heart of the forest. The elves were on the lookout for sparkling gems hidden in mysterious locations. As Oliver searched, he stumbled upon a patch of glowing mushrooms. With a little tap of his tiny wand, the mushrooms transformed into sparkling gems, right before his eyes. Oliver’s magical find not only won him the grand prize but also taught everyone that being small could sometimes have unexpected advantages.

The elves gathered around Oliver, now calling him “The Great Littlest Elf.” From that day forward, Oliver’s size was never a topic of ridicule again. The other elves had learned a valuable lesson – that everyone’s unique gifts and talents should be recognized and celebrated. And Oliver, well, he proved that being small doesn’t mean you can’t dream big and achieve great things.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What did the other elves often tease Oliver about?
2. What was the name of the event that was about to begin in the elf village?
3. How did Oliver cross the wide river during the obstacle course?
4. How did Oliver navigate the enchanted maze differently from the other elves?
5. What was the final challenge in the Great Elf Games?
6. How did Oliver find the sparkling gems during the treasure hunt?
7. What did the other elves start calling Oliver after the games?
8. What lesson did the other elves learn from Oliver’s achievements?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time, in a magical forest far, far away, there lived a (1)______ elf named Oliver. Now, Oliver was no ordinary elf; he was the tiniest elf of them all. His friends would often tease him for his small size, but Oliver never let it bother him. He knew that being little didn’t mean he couldn’t do big things.

One sunny day, the elf (2)______ was buzzing with (3)______. The Great Elf Games were about to begin! All the elves, big and small, would compete to prove their (4)______ and win the grand prize. Oliver couldn’t wait to participate and show everyone what he was capable of.

As the games kicked off, Oliver found himself up against a (5)______ obstacle course. The first challenge was to cross a wide river using only a thin (6)______ as a bridge. The big (7)______ easily hopped across, but when it was Oliver’s turn, the branch wobbled dangerously. However, with his quick thinking, he wrapped himself in leaves and rolled across the branch like a little ball. The other elves cheered and realized that sometimes, it’s not about brute strength, but using your creative mind to (8)______ a problem.

The second challenge was a race through the enchanted maze. As the other elves rushed ahead, Oliver knew he had to find a unique way to navigate the maze. He climbed up a towering (9)______ and (10)______ the (11)______ from above. Walking along the edges, he (12)______ the confusing twists and turns. While the other elves were still lost, Oliver reached the finish line, surprising everyone with his clever strategy.

The final challenge was a treasure hunt deep in the heart of the forest. The elves were on the lookout for sparkling gems hidden in mysterious locations. As Oliver searched, he stumbled upon a patch of glowing mushrooms. With a little tap of his tiny wand, the mushrooms transformed into sparkling gems, right before his eyes. Oliver’s (13)______ find not only won him the grand prize but also taught everyone that being small could sometimes have unexpected advantages.

The elves gathered around Oliver, now calling him “The Great Littlest Elf.” From that day forward, Oliver’s size was never a topic of ridicule again. The (14)______ elves had learned a valuable (15)______ – that everyone’s unique gifts and (16)______ should be recognized and celebrated. And Oliver, well, he proved that being small doesn’t mean you can’t dream big and achieve great things.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is the moral of the story?
2. How would you feel if you were Oliver and your friends teased you for being small?
3. Do you think it’s important to recognize and celebrate everyone’s unique gifts and talents? Why or why not?
4. How do you think Oliver felt when he won the grand prize at the Great Elf Games?
5. What are some advantages of being small?
6. Do you think it’s better to use brute strength or a creative mind to solve problems? Why or why not?
7. Have you ever had to find a unique way to navigate a difficult situation? Can you describe what happened?
8. How do you think the other elves felt when Oliver surprised them with his clever strategy in the maze?
9. What is a treasure hunt? Have you ever been on one? If so, what was it like?
10. How do you think Oliver’s life changed after he won the grand prize?
11. Do you like stories with a moral? Why or why not?
12. What is something you have achieved that you are proud of, despite any challenges or obstacles you faced?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. magical
2. participate
3. obstacle
4. wobbled
5. quick
6. creative
7. enchanted
8. towering
9. navigate
10. twists
11. sparkling
12. mysterious
13. transformed
14. ridicule
15. recognized

Meanings:
(A) Unexpected changes in direction or path
(B) Possessing or using supernatural powers
(C) Moved unsteadily from side to side
(D) Something that blocks one’s way or prevents or hinders progress
(E) Shining with a gleaming light
(F) Difficult to understand or explain; having an air of secrecy
(G) To take part in an event or activity
(H) To acknowledge or honor something as valid or as having a particular status
(I) Filled with magic or appearing to be magical
(J) To make fun of someone in a mean or unkind way
(K) Having the ability to create or think of new things
(L) Able to understand and react to things rapidly
(M) Very tall or high
(N) To find one’s way through an area or a path
(O) Changed completely in form or nature
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the little elf in the story?
(a) Oliver
(b) Jack
(c) Henry
(d) Samuel

2. Where does the story take place?
(a) A bustling city
(b) A quiet village
(c) A sandy beach
(d) A magical forest

3. What event are the elves participating in?
(a) The Great Elf Games
(b) The Magical Forest Race
(c) The Tiny Elf Challenge
(d) The Grand Prize Competition

4. How does Oliver cross the wide river?
(a) By jumping from stone to stone
(b) By rolling across the branch wrapped in leaves
(c) By building a bridge out of sticks
(d) By swimming across the river

5. How does Oliver navigate the enchanted maze?
(a) By following the other elves
(b) By using a map
(c) By climbing up a mushroom and walking along the edges
(d) By closing his eyes and guessing the way

6. What does Oliver find in the heart of the forest?
(a) A hidden treasure chest
(b) Sparkling gems
(c) A magical wand
(d) A group of friendly animals

7. What does Oliver’s magical find win him?
(a) A special medal
(b) A trophy
(c) The grand prize
(d) A certificate of achievement

8. What lesson do the other elves learn from Oliver?
(a) That being small means you can’t achieve great things
(b) That only big elves can win competitions
(c) That it’s important to make fun of others based on their size
(d) That everyone’s unique gifts and talents should be celebrated

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Oliver is disappointed to participate in the games and show his skills.
2. Oliver’s friends often praise him for his small size.
3. Oliver finds a traditional way to navigate the enchanted maze and loses the race.
4. Oliver’s failure in the games teaches the other elves a valuable lesson about ignoring everyone’s unique gifts and talents.
5. The Great Elf Games are about to begin in the elf village.
6. Oliver is the smallest elf in the magical forest.
7. Oliver’s magical find during the treasure hunt wins him the grand prize.
8. Oliver uses his creative mind to solve the first challenge of the obstacle course.
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 did the other elves often tease Oliver about?
Oliver was often teased about his small size.

2. What was the name of the event that was about to begin in the elf village?
The event that was about to begin in the elf village was called the Great Elf Games.

3. How did Oliver cross the wide river during the obstacle course?
Oliver wrapped himself in leaves and rolled across the thin branch like a little ball.

4. How did Oliver navigate the enchanted maze differently from the other elves?
Oliver climbed up a towering mushroom and studied the layout of the maze from above. He walked along the edges to avoid the confusing twists and turns.

5. What was the final challenge in the Great Elf Games?
The final challenge in the Great Elf Games was a treasure hunt deep in the heart of the forest, where the elves had to find sparkling gems hidden in mysterious locations.

6. How did Oliver find the sparkling gems during the treasure hunt?
Oliver stumbled upon a patch of glowing mushrooms and used his tiny wand to transform them into sparkling gems.

7. What did the other elves start calling Oliver after the games?
After the games, the other elves started calling Oliver “The Great Littlest Elf.”

8. What lesson did the other elves learn from Oliver’s achievements?
The other elves learned that everyone’s unique gifts and talents should be recognized and celebrated, and that being small doesn’t mean you can’t dream big and achieve great things.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) little
(2) village
(3) excitement
(4) skills
(5) tricky
(6) branch
(7) elves
(8) solve
(9) mushroom
(10) studied
(11) layout
(12) avoided
(13) magical
(14) other
(15) lesson
(16) talents
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. magical
Answer: (B) Possessing or using supernatural powers

2. participate
Answer: (G) To take part in an event or activity

3. obstacle
Answer: (D) Something that blocks one’s way or prevents or hinders progress

4. wobbled
Answer: (C) Moved unsteadily from side to side

5. quick
Answer: (L) Able to understand and react to things rapidly

6. creative
Answer: (K) Having the ability to create or think of new things

7. enchanted
Answer: (I) Filled with magic or appearing to be magical

8. towering
Answer: (M) Very tall or high

9. navigate
Answer: (N) To find one’s way through an area or a path

10. twists
Answer: (A) Unexpected changes in direction or path

11. sparkling
Answer: (E) Shining with a gleaming light

12. mysterious
Answer: (F) Difficult to understand or explain; having an air of secrecy

13. transformed
Answer: (O) Changed completely in form or nature

14. ridicule
Answer: (J) To make fun of someone in a mean or unkind way

15. recognized
Answer: (H) To acknowledge or honor something as valid or as having a particular status
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the little elf in the story?
Answer: (a) Oliver

2. Where does the story take place?
Answer: (d) A magical forest

3. What event are the elves participating in?
Answer: (a) The Great Elf Games

4. How does Oliver cross the wide river?
Answer: (b) By rolling across the branch wrapped in leaves

5. How does Oliver navigate the enchanted maze?
Answer: (c) By climbing up a mushroom and walking along the edges

6. What does Oliver find in the heart of the forest?
Answer: (b) Sparkling gems

7. What does Oliver’s magical find win him?
Answer: (c) The grand prize

8. What lesson do the other elves learn from Oliver?
Answer: (d) That everyone’s unique gifts and talents should be celebrated
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Oliver is disappointed to participate in the games and show his skills. (Answer: False)
2. Oliver’s friends often praise him for his small size. (Answer: False)
3. Oliver finds a traditional way to navigate the enchanted maze and loses the race. (Answer: False)
4. Oliver’s failure in the games teaches the other elves a valuable lesson about ignoring everyone’s unique gifts and talents. (Answer: False)
5. The Great Elf Games are about to begin in the elf village. (Answer: True)
6. Oliver is the smallest elf in the magical forest. (Answer: True)
7. Oliver’s magical find during the treasure hunt wins him the grand prize. (Answer: True)
8. Oliver uses his creative mind to solve the first challenge of the obstacle course. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧