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?

 

In a magical forest, there was an invisible unicorn named Bella. No one could see her, which made walking through the forest hard because she might bump into other animals. One day, Bella heard a small squirrel crying for help because it was stuck on a tree branch.

Bella decided to play a trick on the squirrel using her power of invisibility. She poked it with her horn, and the scared squirrel jumped down to the ground. Then Bella showed herself, and they laughed together.

Bella became best friends with the squirrel, named Sammy. They went on exciting adventures and found secret places in the forest, like a hidden waterfall where they played. Bella was happy with Sammy but wished others could see her too.

One day, they found a meadow where flowers talked and butterflies sang. A wise owl named Ollie lived there. Bella told Ollie she wanted to be seen, so he took them to a magic pond.

At the pond, Ollie said special words and threw magic dust on Bella. She became visible, shining like a light. Bella was so happy that everyone could see her, and she learned that friends care about you, not how you look. Bella and her new friends had lots more fun in the forest, and Bella felt loved and happy.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

1magicalSomething that is special and seems to use magic
2invisibleNot able to be seen
3squirrelA small animal with a bushy tail that climbs trees
4branchA part of a tree that grows out from the trunk
5trickSomething you do to fool someone
6powerThe ability to do something special
7adventuresExciting trips or experiences
8meadowA field with grass and flowers
9butterfliesInsects with colorful wings that can fly
10wiseKnowing a lot because of experience or learning
11visibleAble to be seen
12shiningGiving off light

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Who is the main character in the story?
2. Why was it hard for Bella to walk through the forest?
3. How did Bella help the squirrel when it was stuck on the tree branch?
4. Who became Bella’s best friend?
5. How did Bella become visible?
6. What did Bella learn about friendship?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In a magical forest, there was an invisible unicorn (1)______ Bella. No one could see her, which made walking through the forest hard because she might bump into other (2)______. One day, Bella heard a (3)______ squirrel crying for help because it was stuck on a tree branch.

Bella decided to play a trick on the (4)______ using her power of (5)______. She poked it with her horn, and the scared squirrel jumped down to the ground. Then (6)______ showed herself, and they laughed together.

Bella became best friends with the squirrel, named Sammy. They went on exciting adventures and found secret places in the forest, like a hidden waterfall where they played. Bella was happy with Sammy but (7)______ others could see her too.

One day, they found a meadow where flowers talked and butterflies sang. A wise owl named (8)______ lived there. Bella told Ollie she (9)______ to be seen, so he took them to a magic pond.

At the pond, Ollie said special words and threw magic dust on Bella. She (10)______ visible, shining like a light. Bella was so (11)______ that everyone could see her, and she (12)______ that friends care about you, not how you look. Bella and her new friends had lots more fun in the forest, and Bella felt loved and happy.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is an invisible unicorn? Why do you think Bella was invisible?
2. How would you feel if you were Bella and no one could see you? Why?
3. Do you like playing tricks on your friends? Why or why not?
4. What do you think Bella learned from her adventure with Sammy and Ollie?
5. How would you feel if you had a friend who was invisible? Why?
6. Do you think it’s important for others to see you? Why or why not?
7. What are some special places in your neighborhood that you like to explore? Why do you like them?
8. Have you ever wished you could do something magical? What would you do and why?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. magical
2. invisible
3. squirrel
4. branch
5. trick
6. power
7. adventures
8. meadow
9. butterflies
10. wise
11. visible
12. shining

Meanings:
(A) Something you do to fool someone
(B) Knowing a lot because of experience or learning
(C) Able to be seen
(D) The ability to do something special
(E) Something that is special and seems to use magic
(F) A part of a tree that grows out from the trunk
(G) Exciting trips or experiences
(H) A field with grass and flowers
(I) A small animal with a bushy tail that climbs trees
(J) Insects with colorful wings that can fly
(K) Not able to be seen
(L) Giving off light
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the invisible unicorn?
(a) Lily
(b) Rosie
(c) Daisy
(d) Bella

2. Why was it hard for Bella to walk through the forest?
(a) Because no one could see her
(b) Because the trees were too tall
(c) Because she was too big
(d) Because she was too small

3. How did Bella help the squirrel?
(a) By climbing the tree and getting it down
(b) By poking it with her horn
(c) By calling for help
(d) By ignoring it

4. What did Bella and Sammy find in the forest?
(a) Secret places
(b) Hidden treasures
(c) Scary monsters
(d) Big mountains

5. Who lived in the meadow where flowers talked and butterflies sang?
(a) Sammy the squirrel
(b) Ollie the owl
(c) Bella’s family
(d) Bella’s other invisible friends

6. What did Bella want to happen at the magic pond?
(a) To become invisible forever
(b) To turn into a different animal
(c) To become visible
(d) To fly in the sky

7. How did Bella become visible?
(a) She jumped into the magic pond
(b) She touched a special flower
(c) Ollie threw magic dust on her
(d) She closed her eyes and wished really hard

8. How did Bella feel after becoming visible?
(a) Sad and lonely
(b) Scared and confused
(c) Angry and frustrated
(d) Loved and happy

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Bella eventually becomes invisible with the help of a foolish owl named Ollie, and she learns that true friends don’t care about you, only how you look.
2. One day, Bella hears a squirrel crying for help because it is stuck on a tree branch.
3. Bella’s invisibility makes it difficult for her to walk through the forest without bumping into other animals.
4. Bella decides to help the squirrel using her power of visibility.
5. Bella pokes the squirrel with her horn, causing it to jump down from the tree branch.
6. Bella conceals herself from the squirrel, and they cry together.
7. Bella and the squirrel, named Sammy, become best friends and go on exciting adventures together.
8. There is a visible unicorn named Bella who lives in an ordinary forest.
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. Who is the main character in the story?
The main character in the story is Bella, the invisible unicorn.

2. Why was it hard for Bella to walk through the forest?
It was hard for Bella to walk through the forest because she was invisible and could bump into other animals.

3. How did Bella help the squirrel when it was stuck on the tree branch?
Bella poked the squirrel with her horn and scared it, causing the squirrel to jump down from the tree branch.

4. Who became Bella’s best friend?
Bella’s best friend was a squirrel named Sammy.

5. How did Bella become visible?
Bella became visible when a wise owl named Ollie used magic dust and special words at a magic pond.

6. What did Bella learn about friendship?
Bella learned that friends care about you, not how you look.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) named
(2) animals
(3) small
(4) squirrel
(5) invisibility
(6) Bella
(7) wished
(8) Ollie
(9) wanted
(10) became
(11) happy
(12) learned
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. magical
Answer: (E) Something that is special and seems to use magic

2. invisible
Answer: (K) Not able to be seen

3. squirrel
Answer: (I) A small animal with a bushy tail that climbs trees

4. branch
Answer: (F) A part of a tree that grows out from the trunk

5. trick
Answer: (A) Something you do to fool someone

6. power
Answer: (D) The ability to do something special

7. adventures
Answer: (G) Exciting trips or experiences

8. meadow
Answer: (H) A field with grass and flowers

9. butterflies
Answer: (J) Insects with colorful wings that can fly

10. wise
Answer: (B) Knowing a lot because of experience or learning

11. visible
Answer: (C) Able to be seen

12. shining
Answer: (L) Giving off light
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the invisible unicorn?
Answer: (d) Bella

2. Why was it hard for Bella to walk through the forest?
Answer: (a) Because no one could see her

3. How did Bella help the squirrel?
Answer: (b) By poking it with her horn

4. What did Bella and Sammy find in the forest?
Answer: (a) Secret places

5. Who lived in the meadow where flowers talked and butterflies sang?
Answer: (b) Ollie the owl

6. What did Bella want to happen at the magic pond?
Answer: (c) To become visible

7. How did Bella become visible?
Answer: (c) Ollie threw magic dust on her

8. How did Bella feel after becoming visible?
Answer: (d) Loved and happy
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Bella eventually becomes invisible with the help of a foolish owl named Ollie, and she learns that true friends don’t care about you, only how you look. (Answer: False)
2. One day, Bella hears a squirrel crying for help because it is stuck on a tree branch. (Answer: True)
3. Bella’s invisibility makes it difficult for her to walk through the forest without bumping into other animals. (Answer: True)
4. Bella decides to help the squirrel using her power of visibility. (Answer: False)
5. Bella pokes the squirrel with her horn, causing it to jump down from the tree branch. (Answer: True)
6. Bella conceals herself from the squirrel, and they cry together. (Answer: False)
7. Bella and the squirrel, named Sammy, become best friends and go on exciting adventures together. (Answer: True)
8. There is a visible unicorn named Bella who lives in an ordinary forest. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 2 stories?

Three friends stumble upon a magical peach palace filled with talking animals and enchanted treasures, unlocking their own creativity and joy.

The Peculiar Peach Palace

Three friends find a magical palace full of talking animals, fairies, and fruits that do funny things. They unlock a special room that helps them feel creative and make the world happier.

Maya's wish for endless laughter brings joy and unity to her village, making her the laughter ambassador.

The Mysterious Mango

Maya found a magical mango that made everyone laugh, so she decided to spread laughter everywhere.

Freddie the squirrel learns a valuable lesson about the true meaning of happiness and unity.

The Peacock Parade

Freddie the squirrel goes on an adventure to find a secret feather, but learns that happiness is about being together, not finding things.

🎉 Coming Soon ⏳

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