Once upon a time, in a small village, there was a pumpkin patch that every year grew the biggest and juiciest pumpkins. The villagers would eagerly await the arrival of autumn when they could pick their favorite pumpkins for carving and cooking. One year, a mischievous squirrel named Sammy got wind of the excitement and decided to plan a surprise party in the pumpkin patch.

Sammy invited all of his friends in the animal kingdom, from birds to rabbits and even some wise old owls. Together, they set out to transform the pumpkin patch into a party wonderland. The pumpkins were adorned with colorful ribbons, and bales of hay were arranged for seating. Sammy even hired a band of musical mice to provide lively entertainment. It was going to be the most extraordinary party the village had ever seen.

As night fell, the villagers began to wonder about the strange lights and sounds coming from the pumpkin patch. Curiosity got the better of them, and one by one, they tiptoed through the fields to investigate. To their amazement, they found the animals singing and dancing with great delight. The villagers couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of a raccoon doing the tango with a pesky mule.

The village’s mayor, Mr. Simmons, who was initially concerned about the ruckus, realized that the animals had inadvertently brought the community together. Everyone was joining in the fun, regardless of their age or background. Mr. Simmons couldn’t help but smile, understanding the importance of unity and joy in the village.

From that day forward, the pumpkin patch became more than just a patch of pumpkins. It became a symbol of happiness and togetherness. Every year, the villagers and their animal friends would gather for a grand celebration, not only to harvest the pumpkins but also to celebrate their shared love for each other and the joy that can be found in unexpected places.

So, my dear friends, remember that sometimes the most delightful surprises come from unexpected places. It is through embracing these surprises that we can learn to appreciate the diversity around us and experience the true joy of community.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What made the pumpkin patch in the small village special?
2. Who planned a surprise party in the pumpkin patch?
3. Who did Sammy invite to the party?
4. How did the animals transform the pumpkin patch into a party wonderland?
5. What did the villagers find when they investigated the strange lights and sounds?
6. What did the villagers do when they saw the animals singing and dancing?
7. What did the mayor, Mr. Simmons, realize about the animals’ party?
8. What did the pumpkin patch become a symbol of?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time, in a small village, there was a (1)______ patch that every year grew the biggest and juiciest pumpkins. The villagers would eagerly await the arrival of autumn when they could pick their favorite pumpkins for carving and (2)______. One year, a (3)______ squirrel named Sammy got wind of the excitement and (4)______ to plan a surprise party in the pumpkin patch.

Sammy invited all of his friends in the animal kingdom, from birds to rabbits and even some wise old owls. Together, they set out to transform the pumpkin (5)______ into a party (6)______. The pumpkins were adorned with colorful ribbons, and bales of hay were arranged for seating. Sammy even hired a band of musical mice to (7)______ lively entertainment. It was going to be the most extraordinary party the village had ever seen.

As night fell, the villagers began to wonder about the strange lights and sounds coming from the pumpkin patch. Curiosity got the (8)______ of them, and one by one, they tiptoed through the fields to investigate. To their amazement, they found the animals singing and dancing with great delight. The (9)______rs couldn’t help but chuckle at the (10)______ of a raccoon (11)______ the tango with a pesky mule.

The village’s mayor, Mr. Simmons, who was initially concerned about the ruckus, realized that the animals had inadvertently brought the community together. Everyone was joining in the fun, regardless of their age or background. Mr. Simmons couldn’t help but smile, understanding the importance of unity and joy in the village.

From that day forward, the pumpkin patch (12)______ more than just a patch of (13)______. It became a symbol of happiness and togetherness. Every year, the villagers and their animal friends would gather for a grand celebration, not only to harvest the pumpkins but also to celebrate their shared love for each other and the joy that can be found in (14)______ (15)______.

So, my dear friends, remember that sometimes the most delightful surprises come from unexpected places. It is through embracing these surprises that we can learn to appreciate the diversity around us and (16)______ the true joy of community.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is the significance of the pumpkin patch in the story?
2. How would you feel if you were one of the villagers witnessing the surprise party in the pumpkin patch?
3. Do you think it’s important for communities to come together and celebrate? Why or why not?
4. How do you think the animals felt when they saw the villagers joining their party?
5. What other unexpected places do you think people can find joy and happiness?
6. Do you think it’s important to embrace surprises in life? Why or why not?
7. How would you feel if you were one of the animals invited to the surprise party?
8. What do you think the animals and villagers learned from the experience in the pumpkin patch?
9. How does this story illustrate the importance of unity and togetherness?
10. Do you think it’s important for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together and have fun? Why or why not?
11. What other ways can communities celebrate and come together?
12. How can embracing diversity and unexpected surprises enrich our lives?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. mischievous
2. adorned
3. bales
4. extraordinary
5. amazement
6. tiptoed
7. ruckus
8. inadvertently
9. unity
10. symbol
11. harvest
12. diversity
13. joy
14. celebration
15. delightful

Meanings:
(A) An object or idea that stands for or represents something else
(B) Beyond what is usual, regular, or customary; exceptional
(C) Behaving in a playful, naughty, or troublesome manner
(D) Causing great pleasure or happiness; charming
(E) The process of gathering a ripe crop from the fields
(F) Without intention; accidentally
(G) The quality or state of having many different forms, types, ideas, etc.
(H) A feeling of great surprise or wonder
(I) A social gathering or festive event, especially one held on a special occasion
(J) A noisy disturbance or commotion
(K) A feeling of great happiness or pleasure
(L) Large bundles of material (often hay or straw
(M) Walked quietly and carefully with one’s toes pointed to avoid making noise
(N) Decorated or embellished with ornaments
(O) The state of being united or joined as a whole
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What did Sammy plan in the pumpkin patch?
(a) A pumpkin carving contest
(b) A scarecrow competition
(c) A surprise party
(d) A harvest festival

2. Who did Sammy invite to the party?
(a) Animals from the animal kingdom
(b) Villagers from the village
(c) Farmers from the neighboring town
(d) Tourists from a faraway land

3. What did Sammy do to decorate the pumpkins?
(a) Carved spooky faces on them
(b) Adorned them with colorful ribbons
(c) Painted them with bright colors
(d) Wrapped them in shiny foil

4. What kind of entertainment did Sammy arrange for the party?
(a) A band of musical mice
(b) A circus with acrobats and clowns
(c) A magician performing tricks
(d) A puppet show with talking animals

5. How did the villagers react to the lights and sounds coming from the pumpkin patch?
(a) They were scared and stayed away
(b) They called the police to report a disturbance
(c) They became curious and went to investigate
(d) They ignored it and went to bed

6. Who was initially concerned about the ruckus in the pumpkin patch?
(a) Sammy, the mischievous squirrel
(b) The wise old owls
(c) The band of musical mice
(d) Mr. Simmons, the village mayor

7. What did the pumpkin patch become a symbol of?
(a) Harvest and abundance
(b) Happiness and togetherness
(c) Halloween and spooky fun
(d) Unity and joy in the village

8. What did the villagers and their animal friends gather for every year?
(a) A pumpkin carving contest
(b) A harvest festival
(c) A talent show
(d) A grand celebration

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The animals and villagers joined in the fun, regardless of their age or background.
2. Sammy invited all of his friends in the animal kingdom to the party.
3. Sammy, a mischievous squirrel, canceled the surprise party in the pumpkin patch.
4. The pumpkin patch became a symbol of happiness and togetherness, and a grand celebration was held every year to harvest the pumpkins and celebrate the joy of community.
5. The pumpkin patch in the small village grew small and tasteless pumpkins every year.
6. The villagers were uninterested in the lights and sounds coming from the pumpkin patch and ignored it.
7. The animals neglected the pumpkin patch and left it in a disorganized state without any decorations.
8. Sammy hired a band of musical mice to provide entertainment at the party.
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. The pumpkin patch in the small village was special because it grew the biggest and juiciest pumpkins every year.
2. Sammy the mischievous squirrel planned a surprise party in the pumpkin patch.
3. Sammy invited all of his friends in the animal kingdom, including birds, rabbits, and wise old owls.
4. The animals adorned the pumpkins with colorful ribbons and arranged bales of hay for seating. They also hired a band of musical mice to provide entertainment.
5. When the villagers investigated the strange lights and sounds, they found the animals singing and dancing in the pumpkin patch.
6. The villagers joined in the fun and began to sing and dance with the animals.
7. The mayor, Mr. Simmons, realized that the animals’ party had brought the community together and created unity and joy.
8. The pumpkin patch became a symbol of happiness and togetherness in the village.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) pumpkin
(2) cooking
(3) mischievous
(4) decided
(5) patch
(6) wonderland
(7) provide
(8) better
(9) village
(10) sight
(11) doing
(12) became
(13) pumpkins
(14) unexpected
(15) places
(16) experience
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. mischievous
Answer: (C) Behaving in a playful, naughty, or troublesome manner

2. adorned
Answer: (N) Decorated or embellished with ornaments

3. bales
Answer: (L) Large bundles of material (often hay or straw

4. extraordinary
Answer: (B) Beyond what is usual, regular, or customary; exceptional

5. amazement
Answer: (H) A feeling of great surprise or wonder

6. tiptoed
Answer: (M) Walked quietly and carefully with one’s toes pointed to avoid making noise

7. ruckus
Answer: (J) A noisy disturbance or commotion

8. inadvertently
Answer: (F) Without intention; accidentally

9. unity
Answer: (O) The state of being united or joined as a whole

10. symbol
Answer: (A) An object or idea that stands for or represents something else

11. harvest
Answer: (E) The process of gathering a ripe crop from the fields

12. diversity
Answer: (G) The quality or state of having many different forms, types, ideas, etc.

13. joy
Answer: (K) A feeling of great happiness or pleasure

14. celebration
Answer: (I) A social gathering or festive event, especially one held on a special occasion

15. delightful
Answer: (D) Causing great pleasure or happiness; charming
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What did Sammy plan in the pumpkin patch?
Answer: (c) A surprise party

2. Who did Sammy invite to the party?
Answer: (a) Animals from the animal kingdom

3. What did Sammy do to decorate the pumpkins?
Answer: (b) Adorned them with colorful ribbons

4. What kind of entertainment did Sammy arrange for the party?
Answer: (a) A band of musical mice

5. How did the villagers react to the lights and sounds coming from the pumpkin patch?
Answer: (c) They became curious and went to investigate

6. Who was initially concerned about the ruckus in the pumpkin patch?
Answer: (d) Mr. Simmons, the village mayor

7. What did the pumpkin patch become a symbol of?
Answer: (b) Happiness and togetherness

8. What did the villagers and their animal friends gather for every year?
Answer: (d) A grand celebration
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The animals and villagers joined in the fun, regardless of their age or background. (Answer: True)
2. Sammy invited all of his friends in the animal kingdom to the party. (Answer: True)
3. Sammy, a mischievous squirrel, canceled the surprise party in the pumpkin patch. (Answer: False)
4. The pumpkin patch became a symbol of happiness and togetherness, and a grand celebration was held every year to harvest the pumpkins and celebrate the joy of community. (Answer: True)
5. The pumpkin patch in the small village grew small and tasteless pumpkins every year. (Answer: False)
6. The villagers were uninterested in the lights and sounds coming from the pumpkin patch and ignored it. (Answer: False)
7. The animals neglected the pumpkin patch and left it in a disorganized state without any decorations. (Answer: False)
8. Sammy hired a band of musical mice to provide entertainment at the party. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧