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!

Bella, The Brave Butterfly

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful butterfly named Bella. She had bright pink and yellow wings that glittered in the sunlight.

Bella was a brave butterfly who was always looking for adventure. One day, she flew up to the very top of a tall mountain. She wanted to see what was on the other side.

But when Bella got to the top, she was scared. She looked down from the peak and it was a long way down. She was afraid she wouldn’t be able to make it back.

But Bella was brave. She flapped her wings and flew off the edge of the mountain. She flew and flew until she could see the ground far below.

She was so happy to be safe again. She flew down the mountain, back to her home. Bella was proud of her bravery and she knew she could do anything she put her mind to.

Bella was a brave butterfly who was never afraid to explore. She taught us that courage can help us do things that seem impossible.

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Vocabulary

1. Butterfly (noun): a flying insect with colorful wings and a long body

2. Glittered (verb): sparkled in a bright and attractive way

3. Adventure (noun): an exciting and unusual experience

4. Peak (noun): the highest point of something

5. Flap (verb): to move wings up and down quickly

6. Brave (adjective): showing courage

7. Proud (adjective): feeling pleasure and satisfaction about something you have done

8. Explore (verb): to search and look around an area to learn more about it

9. Courage (noun): the ability to do something difficult or dangerous

10. Impossible (adjective): too difficult or hard to do

Comprehension Questions

1. What color were Bella’s wings?
2. What was Bella looking for when she flew up to the top of the mountain?
3. How did Bella feel when she looked down from the peak?
4. What did Bella do in order to get back down the mountain?
5. How did Bella feel when she was back on the ground again?
6. What did Bella learn from her experience?
7. What did Bella teach us with her story?
8. Why was Bella brave?

Gap Fill Questions

1. Once upon a time, there was a beautiful butterfly named ___________.
2. Bella had bright pink and yellow wings that ___________ in the sunlight.
3. She wanted to see what was on the other ___________.
4. But when Bella got to the top, she was ___________.
5. She looked down from the peak and it was a long ___________ down.
6. She was afraid she wouldn’t be able to make it ___________.
7. But Bella was brave. She flapped her wings and flew ___________ the edge of the mountain.
8. She was so happy to be ___________ again.
9. Bella was proud of her ___________ and she knew she could do anything she put her mind to.
10. She taught us that ___________ can help us do things that seem impossible.

Conversation Questions

1. What was the bravest thing you ever did?
2. What do you think it takes to be brave?
3. How do you feel when you do something you’re scared to do?
4. Have you ever explored something new?
5. What do you think is worth taking risks for?
6. What makes you feel brave?
7. What do you think of when you think of an adventure?
8. What do you think is the most difficult thing to do in life?
9. What do you think of when you think of courage?
10. How can we be inspired to take risks and explore?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Bella’s wings were bright pink and yellow.
2. Bella was looking for adventure when she flew up to the top of the mountain.
3. Bella was scared when she looked down from the peak.
4. Bella flew off the edge of the mountain in order to get back down.
5. Bella was happy to be safe again when she was back on the ground.
6. Bella learned that courage can help us do things that seem impossible.
7. Bella taught us that courage can help us do things that seem impossible.
8. Bella was brave because she was never afraid to explore.

Gap Fill Question Answers:

1. Once upon a time, there was a beautiful butterfly named Bella.
2. Bella had bright pink and yellow wings that glittered in the sunlight.
3. She wanted to see what was on the other side.
4. But when Bella got to the top, she was scared.
5. She looked down from the peak and it was a long way down.
6. She was afraid she wouldn’t be able to make it back.
7. But Bella was brave. She flapped her wings and flew off the edge of the mountain.
8. She was so happy to be safe again.
9. Bella was proud of her bravery and she knew she could do anything she put her mind to.
10. She taught us that courage can help us do things that seem impossible.

πŸ“š How about these other Level 1 stories?

The Magical Mountain

Once upon a time, there was a magical mountain in the middle of a vast forest. The mountain was filled

Three children embark on a thrilling adventure to outsmart a mischievous genie and discover the true meaning of happiness.

The Wishing Well Mystery

Once upon a time, three friends found a special well that could make wishes come true. They solved tricky riddles and met a funny genie who played tricks. But they learned that making others happy is more important than just getting what you wish for.

The Giant’s Garden

Greg and Whiskers had a pretty garden, but mean Goblins took the seeds. Whiskers helped and they made it pretty again.

A jolly jellyfish named Finley gets lost in the deep sea but finds new friends along the way.

The Jolly Jellyfish

Finley the jellyfish got lost in the sea, but with the help of new friends, he found his way home.

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