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!

Oliver’s Ocean Adventure

Oliver and Polly, renowned adventurers, spread laughter and kindness wherever they go.

Try this story at a different level?

 

Once upon a time, there was a boy named Oliver who dreamed of going on a big adventure. One day, while he was playing in his backyard, he found a map that showed the way to a place called Emerald Island. Feeling very excited, Oliver decided to go looking for the treasure the map talked about. He took his parrot, Polly, who liked to cause trouble, and they set out on the sea in a little wooden boat.

While they were sailing, a huge storm came out of nowhere. The waves got really big and the wind was super loud. Oliver was scared, but he remembered his dad telling him to stay calm when things got tough. Holding the boat’s wheel tightly, he managed to get through the storm like a brave captain.

Finally, after a long time fighting the sea, Oliver and Polly got to Emerald Island. They followed the map and found some really funny sea creatures like mermaids that could talk, seashells that chatted, and an octopus that danced. Even though these creatures made them laugh, Oliver felt that something dangerous was close by. Right when they found the chest full of treasure, some sneaky pirates showed up, wanting to take the treasure for themselves.

But Oliver had a clever trick up his sleeve. He used some starfish that made you feel really ticklish, which he had found before. The pirates couldn’t handle the tickling starfish and started laughing uncontrollably. This gave Oliver and Polly the chance they needed to take the treasure and get away. They went back to their home, feeling happy, and gave the treasure to people who didn’t have much.

Oliver learned that real treasure isn’t gold or shiny stones – it’s being nice to others and helping those in need. His adventure on the sea taught him to be brave and to think quickly when things get hard. Oliver was thankful for all the amazing things in the world, no matter how small they were. From then on, he and Polly became famous for their adventures, always bringing smiles and help wherever they went.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

1adventureA fun and exciting experience
2treasureValuable objects or money that is hidden or lost
3mapA drawing that shows the way to a place
4stormA strong wind with rain, thunder, and lightning
5wavesThe movement of water in the ocean
6braveShowing courage and not being afraid
7captainThe person in charge of a ship or boat
8creaturesAnimals or beings that are not human
9piratesPeople who steal from others, especially at sea
10trickA clever action or plan to deceive someone
11ticklishFeeling a sensation of being tickled
12uncontrollablyNot being able to control one’s laughter or emotions
13chestA box or container used for storing things
14shinyReflecting light and being bright or glossy
15thankfulFeeling grateful or appreciative for something

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Who is the main character in the story?
2. What did Oliver find in his backyard?
3. How did Oliver feel when he found the map?
4. What happened when Oliver and Polly were sailing?
5. How did Oliver handle the storm?
6. What kind of creatures did Oliver and Polly find on Emerald Island?
7. How did Oliver outsmart the pirates and get the treasure?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time, there was a boy named Oliver who dreamed of (1)______ on a big (2)______. One day, while he was playing in his backyard, he found a map that showed the way to a place (3)______ Emerald Island. Feeling very excited, Oliver decided to go looking for the treasure the map (4)______ about. He took his parrot, Polly, who liked to cause trouble, and they set out on the sea in a little wooden boat.

While they were sailing, a huge storm came out of nowhere. The waves got really big and the wind was super loud. (5)______ was scared, but he remembered his dad telling him to stay calm when things got tough. Holding the boat’s wheel tightly, he managed to get through the storm like a brave captain.

Finally, after a long time fighting the sea, Oliver and Polly got to (6)______ Island. They (7)______ the map and (8)______ some really funny sea creatures like mermaids that could talk, seashells that chatted, and an octopus that danced. Even though these creatures made them laugh, Oliver felt that something dangerous was close by. Right when they found the chest full of (9)______, some sneaky pirates showed up, (10)______ to take the treasure for themselves.

But Oliver had a clever trick up his sleeve. He used some (11)______ that made you feel really ticklish, which he had found before. The pirates couldn’t handle the (12)______ starfish and started laughing uncontrollably. This gave Oliver and Polly the chance they needed to take the treasure and get away. They went back to their home, feeling happy, and gave the treasure to people who didn’t have much.

Oliver learned that real treasure isn’t gold or (13)______ stones – it’s being nice to others and helping those in need. His adventure on the sea (14)______ him to be (15)______ and to think quickly when things get hard. Oliver was thankful for all the amazing things in the world, no matter how small they were. From then on, he and Polly (16)______ famous for their adventures, always bringing smiles and help wherever they went.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is an adventure? Have you ever been on an adventure? Why or why not?
2. How would you feel if you found a treasure map? What would you do?
3. Do you like the sea? Why or why not? Have you ever been on a boat?
4. What do you think it means to be brave? Can you think of a time when you had to be brave?
5. How do you think Oliver felt when he saw the funny sea creatures? Have you ever seen any funny animals?
6. Do you think the pirates were mean? Why or why not? Have you ever met someone who was mean?
7. What would you do if you had a clever trick to outsmart someone? Have you ever used a trick to solve a problem?
8. Do you think it’s important to help others? Why or why not? Can you think of a time when you helped someone?
9. What do you think the real treasure in life is? Is it money, or something else? Why or why not?
10. If you could go on an adventure, where would you go and what would you do? Why?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. adventure
2. treasure
3. map
4. storm
5. waves
6. brave
7. captain
8. creatures
9. pirates
10. trick
11. ticklish
12. uncontrollably
13. chest
14. shiny
15. thankful

Meanings:
(A) People who steal from others, especially at sea
(B) Valuable objects or money that is hidden or lost
(C) Reflecting light and being bright or glossy
(D) The person in charge of a ship or boat
(E) A fun and exciting experience
(F) Not being able to control one’s laughter or emotions
(G) A strong wind with rain, thunder, and lightning
(H) A box or container used for storing things
(I) The movement of water in the ocean
(J) A drawing that shows the way to a place
(K) Feeling grateful or appreciative for something
(L) Showing courage and not being afraid
(M) A clever action or plan to deceive someone
(N) Animals or beings that are not human
(O) Feeling a sensation of being tickled
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What did Oliver find in his backyard?
(a) A treasure chest
(b) A map
(c) A parrot
(d) A boat

2. What was the name of Oliver’s parrot?
(a) Charlie
(b) Lily
(c) Sammy
(d) Polly

3. How did Oliver feel when he found the map?
(a) Scared
(b) Sad
(c) Excited
(d) Angry

4. What did Oliver and Polly find on Emerald Island?
(a) Funny sea creatures
(b) Dangerous pirates
(c) Shiny stones
(d) Tickling starfish

5. What did Oliver use to defeat the pirates?
(a) Shiny stones
(b) Funny sea creatures
(c) Tickling starfish
(d) Dangerous pirates

6. What did Oliver learn was the real treasure?
(a) Being nice to others
(b) Gold and shiny stones
(c) Tickling starfish
(d) Dangerous pirates

7. What did Oliver do with the treasure?
(a) Kept it for himself
(b) Sold it for money
(c) Buried it on Emerald Island
(d) Gave it to people in need

8. What did Oliver and Polly become famous for?
(a) Their treasure
(b) Their adventures
(c) Their boat
(d) Their parrot

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Oliver outsmarted the pirates by using venomous starfish to make them scream uncontrollably.
2. However, their fun was interrupted when sneaky pirates arrived, wanting the treasure for themselves.
3. On Emerald Island, they discovered talking mermaids, chatty seashells, and a dancing octopus.
4. They encountered a mild breeze while sailing, but Oliver panicked and lost his way through it.
5. Oliver and his mischievous parrot, Polly, embarked on a land adventure to find treasure.
6. They returned home with the treasure and shared it with those in need, learning that real treasure is kindness and helping others.
7. Oliver and Polly became infamous for their misadventures, spreading confusion and hindrance wherever they went.
8. Oliver found a map in his backyard that led to a place called Emerald Island.
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 Oliver.

2. What did Oliver find in his backyard?
Oliver found a map in his backyard.

3. How did Oliver feel when he found the map?
Oliver felt very excited when he found the map.

4. What happened when Oliver and Polly were sailing?
A huge storm came out of nowhere when Oliver and Polly were sailing.

5. How did Oliver handle the storm?
Oliver held the boat’s wheel tightly and stayed calm to handle the storm.

6. What kind of creatures did Oliver and Polly find on Emerald Island?
Oliver and Polly found funny sea creatures like talking mermaids, chatty seashells, and a dancing octopus on Emerald Island.

7. How did Oliver outsmart the pirates and get the treasure?
Oliver used tickling starfish to make the pirates laugh uncontrollably, allowing him and Polly to take the treasure and get away.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) going
(2) adventure
(3) called
(4) talked
(5) Oliver
(6) Emerald
(7) followed
(8) found
(9) treasure
(10) wanting
(11) starfish
(12) tickling
(13) shiny
(14) taught
(15) brave
(16) became
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. adventure
Answer: (E) A fun and exciting experience

2. treasure
Answer: (B) Valuable objects or money that is hidden or lost

3. map
Answer: (J) A drawing that shows the way to a place

4. storm
Answer: (G) A strong wind with rain, thunder, and lightning

5. waves
Answer: (I) The movement of water in the ocean

6. brave
Answer: (L) Showing courage and not being afraid

7. captain
Answer: (D) The person in charge of a ship or boat

8. creatures
Answer: (N) Animals or beings that are not human

9. pirates
Answer: (A) People who steal from others, especially at sea

10. trick
Answer: (M) A clever action or plan to deceive someone

11. ticklish
Answer: (O) Feeling a sensation of being tickled

12. uncontrollably
Answer: (F) Not being able to control one’s laughter or emotions

13. chest
Answer: (H) A box or container used for storing things

14. shiny
Answer: (C) Reflecting light and being bright or glossy

15. thankful
Answer: (K) Feeling grateful or appreciative for something
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What did Oliver find in his backyard?
Answer: (b) A map

2. What was the name of Oliver’s parrot?
Answer: (d) Polly

3. How did Oliver feel when he found the map?
Answer: (c) Excited

4. What did Oliver and Polly find on Emerald Island?
Answer: (a) Funny sea creatures

5. What did Oliver use to defeat the pirates?
Answer: (c) Tickling starfish

6. What did Oliver learn was the real treasure?
Answer: (a) Being nice to others

7. What did Oliver do with the treasure?
Answer: (d) Gave it to people in need

8. What did Oliver and Polly become famous for?
Answer: (b) Their adventures
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Oliver outsmarted the pirates by using venomous starfish to make them scream uncontrollably. (Answer: False)
2. However, their fun was interrupted when sneaky pirates arrived, wanting the treasure for themselves. (Answer: True)
3. On Emerald Island, they discovered talking mermaids, chatty seashells, and a dancing octopus. (Answer: True)
4. They encountered a mild breeze while sailing, but Oliver panicked and lost his way through it. (Answer: False)
5. Oliver and his mischievous parrot, Polly, embarked on a land adventure to find treasure. (Answer: False)
6. They returned home with the treasure and shared it with those in need, learning that real treasure is kindness and helping others. (Answer: True)
7. Oliver and Polly became infamous for their misadventures, spreading confusion and hindrance wherever they went. (Answer: False)
8. Oliver found a map in his backyard that led to a place called Emerald Island. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 3 stories?

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The Three Friendly Ghosts

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Daisy the dinosaur detective and her mischievous sidekick Benny solve mysteries and teach valuable life lessons.

The Dinosaur Detective

Daisy, a small and smart dinosaur, solves mysteries and makes friends with Benny, a young dinosaur who made a mistake.

The Chocolate Waterfall

Tommy discovers a magical chocolate waterfall, saves the village from a chocolate monster, and becomes a hero.

Stella the unicorn uses her magical rainbow to spread happiness and love to all creatures.

The Rainbow Bridge

Stella, a magical unicorn, wins a competition and uses her wish to spread happiness and love.

Captain Pete, the Polka-Dot Pirate, embarks on a treasure hunt and discovers the true meaning of sharing.

The Polka-Dot Pirate

Captain Pete, the Polka-Dot Pirate, goes on an adventure to find a special treasure hidden on Dottilandia, but discovers that true treasure is about sharing joy and being kind to others.

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