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 Robot in the Rainforest

A group of curious animals befriends a lost robot in the rainforest, and together they weather a storm.

Try this story at a different level?

 

Once upon a time, in a dense rainforest, a group of curious animals stumbled upon a shiny metal object. To their surprise, it was a robot! The animals were in awe and wondered how it had ended up there. The robot, named Robbie, had been out exploring when he crashed into a tree and lost his way. Robbie quickly became friends with the animals, who found his quirky robotic movements and buzzing voice quite amusing.

As they explored the rainforest together, Robbie’s robotic abilities came in handy. He used his extendable arms to help the monkeys swing from tree to tree, his infrared sensors to spot hidden trails, and his speaker system to communicate with the animals. And although Robbie couldn’t fully understand sarcasm, his new friends loved his unintentionally silly responses.

One day, a great storm approached the rainforest. The animals were worried, as their homes were not built to withstand such powerful winds and rain. Robbie, however, had an idea. With his sturdy frame and waterproof coating, he could create a shelter for everyone. Using vines, leaves, and some innovative robot power, Robbie built a protective and cozy sanctuary.

As the storm raged outside, the animals huddled together, grateful for Robbie’s resourcefulness. They realized that sometimes, blessings come in unexpected packages like a robot from a distant land. Robbie’s presence had not only brought joy and laughter, but he had also saved them from the storm.

When the skies cleared, and the sun peeked through the leaves, Robbie’s new friends decided to help him find his way back home. They led him out of the rainforest, waving goodbye as he ventured into unknown territory. Robbie moved forward, knowing that although he was leaving behind his friends, he would always cherish the memories they had created together.

The animals returned to their rainforest life, forever changed by their encounter with Robbie. They learned that true friendship knows no bounds, and that even the most unusual of creatures can bring joy and help when it is needed most. And whenever they reminisced about that magical time, their hearts would fill with warmth and gratitude for the robot in the rainforest who taught them the power of friendship and unity.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

1curiousHaving a strong desire to learn or know something
2stumbledTripped or walked unsteadily
3denseClosely packed together; thick
4extendableCapable of being drawn out or stretched
5infraredA type of radiation invisible to the human eye, used for sensing heat
6sanctuaryA place of refuge or safety
7sarcasmThe use of irony to mock or convey contempt
8resourcefulnessThe ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties
9innovativeShowing creativity or original thinking
10huddledGathered closely together, usually for warmth or comfort
11cherishTo hold something dear or keep it in one’s memory
12venturedTo go forward, especially into unknown or dangerous territories
13encounterA meeting or interaction, especially one that is unexpected or significant
14reminiscedEngaged in contemplation or recalling past experiences
15gratitudeA feeling of thankfulness or appreciation

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. How did the animals feel when they found the shiny metal object in the rainforest?
2. What were some of the abilities that Robbie, the robot, used to help the animals in the rainforest?
3. How did Robbie’s new friends feel about his unintentionally silly responses?
4. Why were the animals worried when the great storm approached the rainforest?
5. How did Robbie help the animals during the storm?
6. What did the animals realize about blessings after the storm?
7. Why did Robbie’s new friends decide to help him find his way back home?
8. How did the animals feel when Robbie left the rainforest?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time, in a dense rainforest, a group of curious animals stumbled upon a shiny metal object. To their surprise, it was a robot! The animals were in awe and wondered how it had ended up there. The robot, (1)______ Robbie, had been out (2)______ when he crashed into a tree and lost his way. Robbie quickly (3)______ friends with the animals, who found his quirky robotic movements and buzzing voice quite (4)______.

As they explored the rainforest together, Robbie’s robotic abilities came in handy. He used his extendable arms to help the monkeys swing from tree to tree, his infrared sensors to spot hidden trails, and his speaker system to communicate with the animals. And although Robbie couldn’t fully understand sarcasm, his new friends loved his unintentionally silly responses.

One day, a (5)______ storm (6)______ the rainforest. The animals were worried, as their homes were not built to withstand such powerful winds and rain. Robbie, however, had an idea. With his sturdy (7)______ and (8)______ coating, he could create a shelter for everyone. Using vines, leaves, and some innovative robot power, Robbie built a (9)______ and cozy sanctuary.

As the storm raged outside, the animals huddled together, grateful for Robbie’s resourcefulness. They (10)______ that sometimes, blessings come in unexpected packages like a robot from a distant land. Robbie’s presence had not only brought joy and laughter, but he had also (11)______ them from the storm.

When the skies (12)______, and the sun peeked through the leaves, Robbie’s new friends decided to help him find his way back home. They led him out of the rainforest, waving goodbye as he ventured into unknown territory. Robbie moved forward, knowing that although he was leaving behind his (13)______, he would always cherish the memories they had created together.

The animals returned to their rainforest life, forever changed by their (14)______ with (15)______. They learned that true friendship knows no bounds, and that even the most (16)______ of creatures can bring joy and help when it is needed most. And whenever they reminisced about that magical time, their hearts would fill with warmth and gratitude for the robot in the rainforest who taught them the power of friendship and unity.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is the most unusual friendship you have ever had? Why was it unusual?
2. How would you feel if you stumbled upon a robot in a rainforest? Why?
3. Do you think it’s possible for animals and robots to be friends? Why or why not?
4. What are some unexpected ways that technology can be helpful in our everyday lives?
5. How do you think the animals felt when Robbie helped them build a shelter during the storm? Why?
6. What is the most resourceful thing you have ever seen someone do in a difficult situation?
7. Why do you think the animals decided to help Robbie find his way back home?
8. Do you think it’s important to have friends from different backgrounds and cultures? Why or why not?
9. How do you think Robbie felt when he had to leave his new friends in the rainforest? Why?
10. Have you ever had to say goodbye to someone you cared about? How did it make you feel?
11. What is the most important lesson you have learned from a friendship?
12. How do you think the animals’ lives were changed by their encounter with Robbie?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. curious
2. stumbled
3. dense
4. extendable
5. infrared
6. sanctuary
7. sarcasm
8. resourcefulness
9. innovative
10. huddled
11. cherish
12. ventured
13. encounter
14. reminisced
15. gratitude

Meanings:
(A) The ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties
(B) A place of refuge or safety
(C) A feeling of thankfulness or appreciation
(D) Showing creativity or original thinking
(E) Capable of being drawn out or stretched
(F) To go forward, especially into unknown or dangerous territories
(G) A meeting or interaction, especially one that is unexpected or significant
(H) Closely packed together; thick
(I) The use of irony to mock or convey contempt
(J) Gathered closely together, usually for warmth or comfort
(K) Having a strong desire to learn or know something
(L) Engaged in contemplation or recalling past experiences
(M) To hold something dear or keep it in one’s memory
(N) A type of radiation invisible to the human eye, used for sensing heat
(O) Tripped or walked unsteadily
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What did the animals find in the rainforest?
(a) A treasure chest
(b) A magical potion
(c) A lost hiker
(d) A robot

2. What were the animals’ initial reactions to the robot?
(a) They were scared
(b) They were confused
(c) They were in awe
(d) They were angry

3. How did Robbie help the monkeys in the rainforest?
(a) He used his infrared sensors to spot hidden trails
(b) He used his extendable arms to help them swing from tree to tree
(c) He used his speaker system to communicate with them
(d) He used his waterproof coating to protect them from the rain

4. What did Robbie build for the animals during the storm?
(a) A shelter
(b) A bridge
(c) A spaceship
(d) A treehouse

5. How did the animals feel about Robbie’s unintentionally silly responses?
(a) They were annoyed by them
(b) They were scared by them
(c) They loved them
(d) They were confused by them

6. How did the animals feel about Robbie leaving?
(a) They were relieved
(b) They were angry
(c) They were indifferent
(d) They were sad

7. What did the animals learn from their encounter with Robbie?
(a) Robots are dangerous
(b) True friendship knows no bounds
(c) The rainforest is a dangerous place
(d) Unusual creatures should be avoided

8. How did the animals feel when they reminisced about their time with Robbie?
(a) Their hearts would fill with warmth and gratitude
(b) They would feel sad and lonely
(c) They would feel scared and anxious
(d) They would feel angry and resentful

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The animals overlook a dull metal object, which turns out to be a robot.
2. Robbie’s robotic disabilities, such as rigid arms and malfunctioning sensors, hinder them as they explore the rainforest together.
3. The animals realize that Robbie’s presence not only brought joy and laughter but also saved them from the storm.
4. Robbie destroys a shelter for the animals to expose them to a great storm using his fragile frame and water-absorbing coating.
5. The robot’s name is Robbie.
6. The animals refuse to assist Robbie in finding his way back home and ignore him as he enters familiar territory.
7. Robbie quickly becomes friends with the animals and they find his robotic movements and voice amusing.
8. The story takes place in a dense rainforest.
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. How did the animals feel when they found the shiny metal object in the rainforest?
The animals were in awe and curious when they found the shiny metal object in the rainforest.

2. What were some of the abilities that Robbie, the robot, used to help the animals in the rainforest?
Robbie used his extendable arms to help the monkeys swing from tree to tree, his infrared sensors to spot hidden trails, and his speaker system to communicate with the animals.

3. How did Robbie’s new friends feel about his unintentionally silly responses?
Robbie’s new friends found his unintentionally silly responses amusing and loved them.

4. Why were the animals worried when the great storm approached the rainforest?
The animals were worried because their homes were not built to withstand such powerful winds and rain.

5. How did Robbie help the animals during the storm?
Robbie used his sturdy frame and waterproof coating to build a protective shelter for the animals during the storm.

6. What did the animals realize about blessings after the storm?
The animals realized that blessings can come in unexpected packages and that even the most unusual of creatures can bring joy and help when it is needed most.

7. Why did Robbie’s new friends decide to help him find his way back home?
Robbie’s new friends decided to help him find his way back home as a gesture of gratitude for all the joy and help he had brought to their lives.

8. How did the animals feel when Robbie left the rainforest?
The animals felt a mix of sadness and gratitude when Robbie left the rainforest. They cherished the memories they had created together and were forever changed by their encounter with him.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) named
(2) exploring
(3) became
(4) amusing
(5) great
(6) approached
(7) frame
(8) waterproof
(9) protective
(10) realized
(11) saved
(12) cleared
(13) friends
(14) encounter
(15) Robbie
(16) unusual
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. curious
Answer: (K) Having a strong desire to learn or know something

2. stumbled
Answer: (O) Tripped or walked unsteadily

3. dense
Answer: (H) Closely packed together; thick

4. extendable
Answer: (E) Capable of being drawn out or stretched

5. infrared
Answer: (N) A type of radiation invisible to the human eye, used for sensing heat

6. sanctuary
Answer: (B) A place of refuge or safety

7. sarcasm
Answer: (I) The use of irony to mock or convey contempt

8. resourcefulness
Answer: (A) The ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties

9. innovative
Answer: (D) Showing creativity or original thinking

10. huddled
Answer: (J) Gathered closely together, usually for warmth or comfort

11. cherish
Answer: (M) To hold something dear or keep it in one’s memory

12. ventured
Answer: (F) To go forward, especially into unknown or dangerous territories

13. encounter
Answer: (G) A meeting or interaction, especially one that is unexpected or significant

14. reminisced
Answer: (L) Engaged in contemplation or recalling past experiences

15. gratitude
Answer: (C) A feeling of thankfulness or appreciation
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What did the animals find in the rainforest?
Answer: (d) A robot

2. What were the animals’ initial reactions to the robot?
Answer: (c) They were in awe

3. How did Robbie help the monkeys in the rainforest?
Answer: (b) He used his extendable arms to help them swing from tree to tree

4. What did Robbie build for the animals during the storm?
Answer: (a) A shelter

5. How did the animals feel about Robbie’s unintentionally silly responses?
Answer: (c) They loved them

6. How did the animals feel about Robbie leaving?
Answer: (d) They were sad

7. What did the animals learn from their encounter with Robbie?
Answer: (b) True friendship knows no bounds

8. How did the animals feel when they reminisced about their time with Robbie?
Answer: (a) Their hearts would fill with warmth and gratitude
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The animals overlook a dull metal object, which turns out to be a robot. (Answer: False)
2. Robbie’s robotic disabilities, such as rigid arms and malfunctioning sensors, hinder them as they explore the rainforest together. (Answer: False)
3. The animals realize that Robbie’s presence not only brought joy and laughter but also saved them from the storm. (Answer: True)
4. Robbie destroys a shelter for the animals to expose them to a great storm using his fragile frame and water-absorbing coating. (Answer: False)
5. The robot’s name is Robbie. (Answer: True)
6. The animals refuse to assist Robbie in finding his way back home and ignore him as he enters familiar territory. (Answer: False)
7. Robbie quickly becomes friends with the animals and they find his robotic movements and voice amusing. (Answer: True)
8. The story takes place in a dense rainforest. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 4 stories?

A young girl named Lily embarks on a daring adventure to find a hidden harbor and discovers that true treasure lies in the simple pleasures of life.

The Hidden Harbor

A young girl named Lily embarks on a daring adventure to find a hidden harbor and discovers that true treasure lies in the simple pleasures of life.

Jack and Emma's lives are forever changed when they discover a tiny dinosaur in an enormous egg.

The Dinosaur Egg

Jack and Emma’s lives are forever changed when they discover a tiny dinosaur in an enormous egg.

Oliver, the tiniest elf, surprises everyone with his clever strategies and magical find at the Great Elf Games.

The Littlest Elf

Oliver, the tiniest elf, surprises everyone with his clever strategies and magical find at the Great Elf Games.

The Giant’s Garden

A giant named Greg and his mischievous kitten, Whiskers, team up to outsmart jealous goblins and restore the magic to their garden.

Bella's backyard adventure takes an unexpected twist when mischievous animals join her hot air balloon ride.

Bella’s Balloon Ride

Bella’s backyard adventure takes an unexpected twist when mischievous animals join her hot air balloon ride.

Feedback