On the edge of the busy village of Seashell Cove stood an old, abandoned lighthouse. A strange lantern inside would flicker like it was alive. People in the village told stories about this lantern, saying it glowed brightly when the moon was full. Nobody knew who had lit it or why it never went out. Young Jamie, who loved adventure and mysteries, decided to find out the truth about this legendary light.

One sunny afternoon, Jamie packed a sandwich and took Quackers, a rubber duck wearing binoculars, to the lighthouse. At the entrance, there was a sign that said, “Beware of the Mighty Seagulls!” Jamie laughed and said, “I’ll take my chances!” With a quick kick, Jamie opened the door. Inside, cobwebs hung like curtains, and dust floated in the air as Jamie tiptoed to the spiral staircase. Quackers quacked in support, ready for the adventure!

As Jamie climbed, the lantern’s light grew brighter, showing drawings of strange creatures—mermaids with snorkels and octopuses on roller skates! “What in the world?” Jamie exclaimed. Suddenly, an old seagull named Frank flew in, looking grumpy. “Who dares to come into my lighthouse?” he squawked. Jamie wasn’t scared. “I’m here to discover the mystery of the lantern!” Frank, surprised by Jamie’s boldness, flapped back into the shadows, mumbling about “kids and their weird ideas.”

At the top of the lighthouse, Jamie found the Curious Lantern glowing magically! A sign next to it read, “To light a path, one must be full of laughter.” Suddenly, the lantern spoke, “You’ve amused me! Tell me a joke to make me shine brighter!” Jamie smiled and told a silly knock-knock joke about a banana. The lantern laughed loudly, lighting up the room brightly. Even Frank couldn’t help but smile. Jamie realized that laughter had a special power.

The lantern then said, “You, brave adventurer, have awakened the Divine Dusk! I need your courage!” The walls turned into swirling colors, and a pathway appeared leading to the ocean. “A mysterious whirlpool is threatening Seashell Cove, and only laughter can calm its waters!” Jamie, with Quackers and the now-friendly Frank, jumped into action to save the village with laughter. They reached the whirlpool and told jokes until the swirling waters settled into a calm pond. Jamie learned that laughter not only lights up the world but also brings people together. Seashell Cove was saved!

Coming back to the village, Frank sat happily on Quackers while the Curious Lantern winked from the lighthouse. The townspeople cheered and asked Jamie how the mysterious light worked. With a smile, Jamie said, “To brighten the world, just share a laugh!” From then on, the lighthouse shone brightly, reminding everyone that happiness grows when shared and sometimes, the silliest adventures teach the best lessons.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What was the main reason Jamie decided to visit the lighthouse?
2. How did the lantern react when Jamie told it a joke?
3. What did the sign next to the Curious Lantern say about laughter?
4. Who was Frank and how did he feel about Jamie entering the lighthouse?
5. What challenge did Jamie and his friends face at the whirlpool?
6. What lesson did Jamie learn by the end of the story?
7. How did the villagers react when Jamie returned and shared the story of the lantern?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

On the edge of the busy village of Seashell Cove stood an old, abandoned lighthouse. A strange lantern inside would flicker like it was alive. People in the village told stories about this lantern, (1)______ it (2)______ brightly when the moon was full. Nobody knew who had lit it or why it never went out. Young (3)______, who loved adventure and mysteries, decided to find out the truth about this legendary light.

One sunny afternoon, Jamie packed a sandwich and took Quackers, a rubber duck wearing binoculars, to the lighthouse. At the entrance, there was a sign that said, “Beware of the (4)______ Seagulls!” Jamie laughed and said, “I’ll take my chances!” With a quick kick, Jamie opened the door. Inside, cobwebs hung like (5)______, and dust floated in the air as Jamie tiptoed to the spiral staircase. Quackers quacked in support, ready for the adventure!

As Jamie climbed, the lantern’s light grew brighter, (6)______ drawings of strange creatures—mermaids with snorkels and octopuses on roller skates! “What in the world?” Jamie exclaimed. Suddenly, an old seagull named Frank flew in, looking grumpy. “Who dares to come into my (7)______?” he squawked. Jamie wasn’t scared. “I’m here to (8)______ the mystery of the lantern!” Frank, surprised by Jamie’s boldness, flapped back into the shadows, mumbling about “kids and their weird ideas.”

At the top of the lighthouse, Jamie found the Curious Lantern glowing magically! A sign next to it read, “To light a path, one must be full of laughter.” Suddenly, the lantern spoke, “You’ve amused me! Tell me a joke to make me (9)______ brighter!” Jamie smiled and told a silly knock-knock joke about a banana. The lantern laughed loudly, lighting up the room brightly. Even Frank couldn’t help but smile. Jamie realized that laughter had a special power.

The lantern then said, “You, brave adventurer, have awakened the Divine Dusk! I need your courage!” The walls turned into swirling (10)______, and a pathway appeared leading to the ocean. “A mysterious whirlpool is (11)______ Seashell Cove, and only laughter can calm its waters!” Jamie, with (12)______ and the now-friendly Frank, jumped into action to save the village with laughter. They (13)______ the whirlpool and told jokes until the swirling waters settled into a calm pond. Jamie learned that laughter not only lights up the world but also brings people together. Seashell Cove was saved!

Coming back to the village, Frank sat happily on Quackers while the Curious Lantern winked from the lighthouse. The townspeople cheered and asked Jamie how the (14)______ light worked. With a smile, Jamie said, “To brighten the world, just share a laugh!” From then on, the lighthouse shone brightly, (15)______ everyone that happiness grows when (16)______ and sometimes, the silliest adventures teach the best lessons.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your favorite joke or funny story that always makes you laugh?

2. How would you feel if you discovered a magical object like the Curious Lantern?

3. Do you think laughter really has the power to change a situation? Why or why not?

4. What is a memorable adventure you’ve had with friends or family?

5. How do you think Jamie felt when talking to the grumpy seagull, Frank?

6. Do you like visiting places that are rumored to be haunted or mysterious? Why or why not?

7. What is a way you bring joy or laughter to your friends when they are feeling down?

8. How would you react if you saw something strange or magical, like the lantern in the story?

9. Do you think it’s important to share laughter and happiness with others? Why?

10. What is your opinion on the idea that laughter can solve problems? Do you believe it? Why or why not?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. abandoned
2. flicker
3. legendary
4. adventure
5. tiptoed
6. spiral
7. exclaimed
8. grumpy
9. boldness
10. amused
11. courage
12. swirling
13. whirlpool
14. calm
15. cheered

Meanings:
(A) Peaceful and free from disturbance
(B) Spoke suddenly and with strong feeling
(C) Moving in a twisting or spinning motion
(D) Winding in a continuous curve
(E) In a bad mood and easily annoyed
(F) The ability to face fear or danger
(G) Very famous and often talked about in stories
(H) A powerful circular current of water
(I) Left empty and not used anymore
(J) Shouted in happiness or approval
(K) To shine with a light that goes on and off quickly
(L) Walked quietly and carefully on the toes
(M) The quality of being brave and confident
(N) An exciting and sometimes dangerous experience
(O) Made someone laugh or smile
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the village where the lighthouse is located?
(a) Seashell Cove
(b) Sandy Beach
(c) Coral Bay
(d) Oceanview

2. Who is Jamie’s companion during the adventure to the lighthouse?
(a) Quackers
(b) Frank
(c) Bob
(d) Sally

3. What did the sign at the entrance of the lighthouse warn about?
(a) Dangerous Waves
(b) Hidden Treasures
(c) Ghostly Spirits
(d) Mighty Seagulls

4. What did Jamie find at the top of the lighthouse?
(a) A treasure chest
(b) A secret map
(c) A sleeping giant
(d) The Curious Lantern

5. What did the lantern ask Jamie to do in order to shine brighter?
(a) Sing a song
(b) Dance
(c) Tell a joke
(d) Solve a riddle

6. What was threatening Seashell Cove?
(a) A giant storm
(b) A sea monster
(c) A mysterious whirlpool
(d) A pirate ship

7. How did Jamie and the others calm the whirlpool?
(a) By singing songs
(b) By telling jokes
(c) By throwing rocks
(d) By waving flags

8. What lesson did Jamie learn from the adventure?
(a) Adventure is always dangerous
(b) Laughter brings people together
(c) Secrets should be kept
(d) The ocean is to be feared

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Jamie and Quackers use silence to provoke a mysterious whirlpool threatening the village.
2. The story emphasizes that laughter can bring people together and brighten the world.
3. The story takes place in a city called Mountain Peak, where an old, inhabited lighthouse stands.
4. Jamie brings a rubber duck named Quackers, who wears binoculars, on the adventure to the lighthouse.
5. The lantern in the lighthouse can’t speak and asks Jamie to sing a song to make it shine brighter.
6. Jamie, the supporting character, is passive and hates solving mysteries.
7. The lantern inside the lighthouse flickers and glows brightly during a full moon.
8. An old seagull named Frank initially confronts Jamie but becomes friendly after hearing a joke.
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 was the main reason Jamie decided to visit the lighthouse?
Jamie wanted to discover the truth about the mysterious lantern that flickered inside the old lighthouse.

2. How did the lantern react when Jamie told it a joke?
The lantern laughed loudly and shone brighter when Jamie told it a silly knock-knock joke about a banana.

3. What did the sign next to the Curious Lantern say about laughter?
The sign said, “To light a path, one must be full of laughter.”

4. Who was Frank and how did he feel about Jamie entering the lighthouse?
Frank was an old seagull who initially felt grumpy and surprised that Jamie dared to enter the lighthouse.

5. What challenge did Jamie and his friends face at the whirlpool?
They needed to calm the mysterious whirlpool threatening Seashell Cove by telling jokes to make the waters settle.

6. What lesson did Jamie learn by the end of the story?
Jamie learned that laughter not only lights up the world but also brings people together and can solve problems.

7. How did the villagers react when Jamie returned and shared the story of the lantern?
The villagers cheered and were curious about how the mysterious light worked, appreciating Jamie’s adventure and the lesson about laughter.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) saying
(2) glowed
(3) Jamie
(4) Mighty
(5) curtains
(6) showing
(7) lighthouse
(8) discover
(9) shine
(10) colors
(11) threatening
(12) Quackers
(13) reached
(14) mysterious
(15) reminding
(16) shared
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. abandoned
Answer: (I) Left empty and not used anymore

2. flicker
Answer: (K) To shine with a light that goes on and off quickly

3. legendary
Answer: (G) Very famous and often talked about in stories

4. adventure
Answer: (N) An exciting and sometimes dangerous experience

5. tiptoed
Answer: (L) Walked quietly and carefully on the toes

6. spiral
Answer: (D) Winding in a continuous curve

7. exclaimed
Answer: (B) Spoke suddenly and with strong feeling

8. grumpy
Answer: (E) In a bad mood and easily annoyed

9. boldness
Answer: (M) The quality of being brave and confident

10. amused
Answer: (O) Made someone laugh or smile

11. courage
Answer: (F) The ability to face fear or danger

12. swirling
Answer: (C) Moving in a twisting or spinning motion

13. whirlpool
Answer: (H) A powerful circular current of water

14. calm
Answer: (A) Peaceful and free from disturbance

15. cheered
Answer: (J) Shouted in happiness or approval
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the village where the lighthouse is located?
Answer: (a) Seashell Cove

2. Who is Jamie’s companion during the adventure to the lighthouse?
Answer: (a) Quackers

3. What did the sign at the entrance of the lighthouse warn about?
Answer: (d) Mighty Seagulls

4. What did Jamie find at the top of the lighthouse?
Answer: (d) The Curious Lantern

5. What did the lantern ask Jamie to do in order to shine brighter?
Answer: (c) Tell a joke

6. What was threatening Seashell Cove?
Answer: (c) A mysterious whirlpool

7. How did Jamie and the others calm the whirlpool?
Answer: (b) By telling jokes

8. What lesson did Jamie learn from the adventure?
Answer: (b) Laughter brings people together
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Jamie and Quackers use silence to provoke a mysterious whirlpool threatening the village. (Answer: False)
2. The story emphasizes that laughter can bring people together and brighten the world. (Answer: True)
3. The story takes place in a city called Mountain Peak, where an old, inhabited lighthouse stands. (Answer: False)
4. Jamie brings a rubber duck named Quackers, who wears binoculars, on the adventure to the lighthouse. (Answer: True)
5. The lantern in the lighthouse can’t speak and asks Jamie to sing a song to make it shine brighter. (Answer: False)
6. Jamie, the supporting character, is passive and hates solving mysteries. (Answer: False)
7. The lantern inside the lighthouse flickers and glows brightly during a full moon. (Answer: True)
8. An old seagull named Frank initially confronts Jamie but becomes friendly after hearing a joke. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧