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 Three Friendly Ghosts

Three friendly ghosts bring joy and laughter to a lonely boy, teaching him the power of true friendship.

Try this story at a different level?

 

Once upon a time, in a small village nestled in the countryside, lived three friendly ghosts named Casper, Jasper, and Hester. Unlike other ghosts who loved to scare people, these three ghosts were known for their kindness and their mischievous sense of humor. They had been friends for countless years and they loved to explore the world together.

One day, while they were floating through the village, they stumbled upon a young boy named Timmy. Timmy was feeling sad and lonely because his family had just moved to the village and he didn’t have any friends yet. Casper, Jasper, and Hester saw this as an opportunity to make someone smile, so they decided to become Timmy’s invisible friends.

At first, Timmy was frightened by the mysterious things happening around him. Objects seemed to move by themselves, strange noises broke the silence, and his toys seemed to come to life. But as days went by, Timmy realized that these strange occurrences were the work of the three friendly ghosts. He grew fond of their hilarious pranks and soon, they became inseparable friends.

Together, they embarked on countless adventures, exploring hidden caves, climbing tall trees, and even scaring away grumpy old witches. They laughed and played all day long, making the village a brighter and happier place. Timmy’s face lit up with joy and he learned that true friendship knows no boundaries, even if your friends happen to be ghosts.

As the years passed, Timmy grew up and the three friendly ghosts found new friends to bring laughter and joy to. But they never forgot their time with Timmy. They continued to brighten the lives of people they met, spreading kindness wherever they went.

The positive lesson in this story is that true friendship can come from unexpected places and that it’s the love and laughter we share with others that truly matters. Life is full of surprises, and sometimes, those surprises come in the form of three friendly ghosts who turn your world upside down, in the best possible way.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

1nestledSettled comfortably within a surrounding area
2mischievousPlayfully naughty or troublesome
3countlessToo many to be counted; numerous
4stumbledTripped or came across something by chance
5mysteriousDifficult to understand or explain; enigmatic
6pranksPractical jokes or tricks played on someone
7inseparableSo close and entwined that they cannot be separated
8embarkedBegan or started a journey or venture
9hiddenConcealed from view or knowledge
10grumpyIrritable and bad-tempered
11joyA feeling of great pleasure and happiness
12boundariesLimits or borders that define the extent of an area or concept
13laughterThe sound of someone laughing
14unexpectedNot anticipated or likely to be expected
15surprisesEvents or occurrences that are unexpected and cause astonishment or wonder

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What were the three friendly ghosts known for?
2. How did Timmy feel when he first encountered the ghosts?
3. What were some of the pranks the ghosts played on Timmy?
4. What activities did Timmy and the ghosts do together?
5. How did Timmy’s life change after becoming friends with the ghosts?
6. What happened as Timmy grew up?
7. Did the ghosts continue to bring joy to people after Timmy grew up?
8. What is the main lesson or message of this story?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time, in a small village nestled in the (1)______, lived three friendly ghosts named Casper, Jasper, and Hester. Unlike other ghosts who (2)______ to (3)______ people, these three ghosts were known for their kindness and their mischievous sense of humor. They had been friends for countless years and they loved to explore the world together.

One day, while they were floating through the village, they stumbled upon a young boy named Timmy. Timmy was feeling sad and (4)______ because his family had just (5)______ to the village and he didn’t have any friends yet. Casper, Jasper, and Hester saw this as an opportunity to make someone smile, so they decided to become Timmy’s (6)______ friends.

At first, Timmy was frightened by the mysterious things (7)______ around him. Objects (8)______ to move by themselves, strange noises broke the silence, and his toys seemed to come to life. But as days went by, Timmy realized that these strange occurrences were the work of the three friendly ghosts. He grew fond of their hilarious pranks and soon, they became inseparable friends.

Together, they embarked on countless adventures, exploring hidden caves, climbing tall trees, and even scaring away grumpy old witches. They laughed and played all day long, making the village a (9)______ and happier place. Timmy’s face lit up with joy and he learned that true friendship (10)______ no boundaries, even if your friends happen to be (11)______.

As the (12)______ passed, Timmy grew up and the three friendly ghosts found new friends to bring laughter and joy to. But they never forgot their time with Timmy. They continued to brighten the lives of people they met, spreading kindness wherever they went.

The (13)______ lesson in this story is that true friendship can come from (14)______ places and that it’s the love and laughter we share with others that truly matters. Life is full of (15)______, and sometimes, those surprises come in the form of three friendly ghosts who turn your (16)______ upside down, in the best possible way.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is the importance of kindness in friendship?
2. How would you feel if you moved to a new place and didn’t have any friends?
3. Do you think it’s important to have a sense of humor in a friendship? Why or why not?
4. What is the significance of exploring the world with friends?
5. How do you think Timmy’s life changed after he met Casper, Jasper, and Hester?
6. Do you like stories with unexpected twists and surprises? Why or why not?
7. What is the message behind the idea that true friendship knows no boundaries?
8. How would you feel if you discovered that objects were moving by themselves and toys were coming to life?
9. Do you think it’s possible to be friends with someone who is different from you? Why or why not?
10. What is the value of spreading kindness and laughter to others?
11. How do you think the three friendly ghosts impacted the village and the people they met?
12. Why do you think Timmy never forgot his time with Casper, Jasper, and Hester?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. nestled
2. mischievous
3. countless
4. stumbled
5. mysterious
6. pranks
7. inseparable
8. embarked
9. hidden
10. grumpy
11. joy
12. boundaries
13. laughter
14. unexpected
15. surprises

Meanings:
(A) Too many to be counted; numerous
(B) Tripped or came across something by chance
(C) Began or started a journey or venture
(D) Playfully naughty or troublesome
(E) Concealed from view or knowledge
(F) A feeling of great pleasure and happiness
(G) So close and entwined that they cannot be separated
(H) Events or occurrences that are unexpected and cause astonishment or wonder
(I) Practical jokes or tricks played on someone
(J) Settled comfortably within a surrounding area
(K) The sound of someone laughing
(L) Irritable and bad-tempered
(M) Not anticipated or likely to be expected
(N) Limits or borders that define the extent of an area or concept
(O) Difficult to understand or explain; enigmatic
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What were the names of the three friendly ghosts?
(a) Timmy, Casper, and Jasper
(b) Casper, Jasper, and Hester
(c) Casper, Timmy, and Hester
(d) Timmy, Jasper, and Hester

2. How did Timmy feel when he first encountered the ghosts?
(a) Frightened
(b) Excited
(c) Indifferent
(d) Angry

3. What did the three friendly ghosts do to make Timmy smile?
(a) Scared him
(b) Became his invisible friends
(c) Played pranks on him
(d) Ignored him

4. What did Timmy learn about the ghosts as time went by?
(a) They were scary
(b) They were kind
(c) They were mischievous
(d) They were mean

5. What did Timmy and the ghosts do together?
(a) Embarked on adventures
(b) Scared people
(c) Played tricks on others
(d) Stayed indoors

6. What happened as Timmy grew up?
(a) Timmy forgot about the ghosts
(b) Timmy moved away
(c) The ghosts found new friends
(d) The ghosts scared Timmy

7. What did the ghosts continue to do even after Timmy grew up?
(a) Scare people
(b) Play pranks on others
(c) Move objects by themselves
(d) Brighten the lives of people they met

8. What is the lesson in this story?
(a) Ghosts are scary
(b) It’s important to be mean to others
(c) Life is full of sadness and loneliness
(d) True friendship can come from unexpected places

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Timmy initially feels scared and lonely in the village.
2. The story teaches the lesson that true friendship can only come from expected places.
3. Casper, Jasper, and Hester become Timmy’s visible friends.
4. Timmy grows fond of the ghosts’ hilarious pranks.
5. The four friends never embark on any adventures together.
6. As Timmy grows up, the ghosts find new friends to bring joy to.
7. The three ghosts in the story are known for their kindness and mischievous sense of humor.
8. Timmy learns that true friendship has boundaries.
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 were the three friendly ghosts known for?
They were known for their kindness and mischievous sense of humor.

2. How did Timmy feel when he first encountered the ghosts?
Timmy was frightened by the mysterious things happening around him.

3. What were some of the pranks the ghosts played on Timmy?
The ghosts moved objects by themselves, made strange noises, and made Timmy’s toys come to life.

4. What activities did Timmy and the ghosts do together?
They embarked on adventures, explored hidden caves, climbed tall trees, and scared away grumpy old witches.

5. How did Timmy’s life change after becoming friends with the ghosts?
Timmy’s life became brighter and happier, and he learned the value of true friendship.

6. What happened as Timmy grew up?
Timmy grew up and the ghosts found new friends to bring joy to.

7. Did the ghosts continue to bring joy to people after Timmy grew up?
Yes, the ghosts continued to bring joy to people they met and spread kindness.

8. What is the main lesson or message of this story?
The main lesson is that true friendship can come from unexpected places and that it’s the love and laughter we share with others that truly matters.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) countryside
(2) loved
(3) scare
(4) lonely
(5) moved
(6) invisible
(7) happening
(8) seemed
(9) brighter
(10) knows
(11) ghosts
(12) years
(13) positive
(14) unexpected
(15) surprises
(16) world
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. nestled
Answer: (J) Settled comfortably within a surrounding area

2. mischievous
Answer: (D) Playfully naughty or troublesome

3. countless
Answer: (A) Too many to be counted; numerous

4. stumbled
Answer: (B) Tripped or came across something by chance

5. mysterious
Answer: (O) Difficult to understand or explain; enigmatic

6. pranks
Answer: (I) Practical jokes or tricks played on someone

7. inseparable
Answer: (G) So close and entwined that they cannot be separated

8. embarked
Answer: (C) Began or started a journey or venture

9. hidden
Answer: (E) Concealed from view or knowledge

10. grumpy
Answer: (L) Irritable and bad-tempered

11. joy
Answer: (F) A feeling of great pleasure and happiness

12. boundaries
Answer: (N) Limits or borders that define the extent of an area or concept

13. laughter
Answer: (K) The sound of someone laughing

14. unexpected
Answer: (M) Not anticipated or likely to be expected

15. surprises
Answer: (H) Events or occurrences that are unexpected and cause astonishment or wonder
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What were the names of the three friendly ghosts?
Answer: (b) Casper, Jasper, and Hester

2. How did Timmy feel when he first encountered the ghosts?
Answer: (a) Frightened

3. What did the three friendly ghosts do to make Timmy smile?
Answer: (b) Became his invisible friends

4. What did Timmy learn about the ghosts as time went by?
Answer: (c) They were mischievous

5. What did Timmy and the ghosts do together?
Answer: (a) Embarked on adventures

6. What happened as Timmy grew up?
Answer: (c) The ghosts found new friends

7. What did the ghosts continue to do even after Timmy grew up?
Answer: (d) Brighten the lives of people they met

8. What is the lesson in this story?
Answer: (d) True friendship can come from unexpected places
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Timmy initially feels scared and lonely in the village. (Answer: True)
2. The story teaches the lesson that true friendship can only come from expected places. (Answer: False)
3. Casper, Jasper, and Hester become Timmy’s visible friends. (Answer: False)
4. Timmy grows fond of the ghosts’ hilarious pranks. (Answer: True)
5. The four friends never embark on any adventures together. (Answer: False)
6. As Timmy grows up, the ghosts find new friends to bring joy to. (Answer: True)
7. The three ghosts in the story are known for their kindness and mischievous sense of humor. (Answer: True)
8. Timmy learns that true friendship has boundaries. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 4 stories?

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

Silly Sally's interactive circus cake, complete with a mischievous kitten, wins The Great Cake Contest.

The Great Cake Contest

Silly Sally’s interactive circus cake, complete with a mischievous kitten, wins The Great Cake Contest.

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