Once upon a time, in a little garden, there lived a snail named Sam. Sam was a peculiar snail because he didn’t have a shell. He had always wished to have one, but no matter where he looked, he couldn’t find the right shell for himself. One sunny day, Sam decided to set out on a journey to find his perfect shell.

As Sam journeyed through the colorful garden, he encountered many different animals. He asked each of them if they had seen a spare shell lying around, but unfortunately, all he received were puzzled looks. “Why would a snail ever need a shell?” the rabbits laughed. “You’re fine just the way you are!”

Feeling a bit discouraged, Sam came across a wise old owl who offered some advice. “Sam,” said the owl, “You won’t find a shell simply by looking for one. Sometimes, you have to make your own destiny.” Sam was confused but intrigued. The owl explained that to find a shell, Sam would need to be patient and creative.

Inspired by the owl’s wise words and eager to find a solution, Sam started gathering materials from around the garden. He collected shiny pebbles, colorful petals, and smooth leaves. With great care, he began to fashion his very own shell. After many tries, he finally crafted a shell that was uniquely his own.

With his new shell attached, Sam felt a rush of confidence. He showed off his creation to the other garden creatures, who were amazed by his ingenuity. The rabbits apologized for their earlier laughter and congratulated Sam on his new shell.

From that day forward, Sam became the most popular snail in the garden. His story spread far and wide, inspiring other snails to make their own shells too. The lesson Sam learned was that sometimes, true happiness and fulfillment can only be found by following your own path and accepting yourself for who you are.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Why did Sam want to find a shell?
2. How did the other animals in the garden react when Sam asked if they had seen a spare shell?
3. Who gave Sam advice on finding a shell?
4. What materials did Sam gather to make his own shell?
5. How did Sam feel after he attached his new shell?
6. How did the other garden creatures react when they saw Sam’s new shell?
7. What lesson did Sam learn from his journey?
8. How did Sam’s story impact other snails in the garden?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time, in a little garden, there lived a snail (1)______ Sam. Sam was a (2)______ snail because he didn’t have a shell. He had always wished to have one, but no (3)______ where he looked, he couldn’t find the right shell for himself. One sunny day, Sam decided to set out on a journey to find his perfect shell.

As Sam journeyed through the colorful garden, he encountered many different (4)______. He asked each of them if they had seen a spare shell lying around, but unfortunately, all he (5)______ were (6)______ looks. “Why would a (7)______ ever need a shell?” the rabbits laughed. “You’re fine just the way you are!”

(8)______ a bit discouraged, Sam came across a wise old owl who offered some advice. “Sam,” said the owl, “You won’t find a shell simply by looking for one. Sometimes, you have to make your own destiny.” Sam was confused but intrigued. The owl explained that to find a shell, Sam would need to be (9)______ and creative.

Inspired by the owl’s wise words and eager to find a solution, Sam (10)______ gathering (11)______ from around the (12)______. He collected shiny pebbles, colorful petals, and smooth leaves. With great care, he began to fashion his very own shell. After many tries, he finally crafted a shell that was uniquely his own.

With his new shell attached, Sam felt a rush of confidence. He showed off his creation to the other garden creatures, who were amazed by his (13)______. The rabbits apologized for their earlier laughter and congratulated Sam on his new shell.

From that day forward, Sam (14)______ the most popular snail in the garden. His story spread far and wide, (15)______ other (16)______ to make their own shells too. The lesson Sam learned was that sometimes, true happiness and fulfillment can only be found by following your own path and accepting yourself for who you are.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is the moral of this story?
2. How would you feel if you were in Sam’s situation, searching for something that you couldn’t find?
3. Do you think it’s important for everyone to have a unique identity? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever felt discouraged when trying to achieve a goal? How did you overcome it?
5. What do you think the other animals in the garden learned from Sam’s story?
6. How would you feel if you were the most popular person in a group? Why?
7. Do you think it’s better to follow your own path or to try to fit in with others? Why or why not?
8. Have you ever had to be patient and creative to find a solution to a problem? Can you give an example?
9. How do you think Sam’s life would have been different if he had never found a shell?
10. What materials would you use to create your own shell? Why?
11. Do you think it’s important to accept yourself for who you are? Why or why not?
12. Can you think of a time when you had to accept yourself for something that you couldn’t change? How did you do it?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. peculiar
2. journeyed
3. encountered
4. puzzled
5. discouraged
6. wise
7. destiny
8. patient
9. creative
10. ingenuity
11. confidence
12. popular
13. inspiring
14. fulfillment
15. accepting

Meanings:
(A) A feeling of self-assurance arising from an appreciation of one’s own abilities or qualities
(B) Able to accept or tolerate delays, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious
(C) Encouraging or arousing interest or enthusiasm
(D) Feeling disheartened or lacking in courage
(E) Met or came upon unexpectedly or by chance
(F) Confused because something is not understood
(G) The achievement of something desired, promised, or predicted
(H) Strange or unusual in a way that is surprising or difficult to understand
(I) Liked, admired, or enjoyed by many people or by a particular person or group
(J) Traveled or went on a trip from one place to another
(K) Recognizing and respecting your own abilities or situations without trying to change them
(L) The events that will necessarily happen to a particular person or thing in the future
(M) Having the ability or power to create something new or imaginative
(N) Having or showing experience, knowledge, and good judgment
(O) The quality of being clever, original, and inventive
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the snail in the story?
(a) Sam
(b) Max
(c) Lily
(d) Emily

2. What did Sam want to find?
(a) A friend
(b) A shell
(c) A treasure
(d) A new home

3. Who did Sam ask for help in finding a shell?
(a) The wise old owl
(b) His family
(c) Various animals in the garden
(d) No one

4. What did the rabbits say when Sam asked if they had seen a shell?
(a) “Yes, I have one right here.”
(b) “You’re fine just the way you are!”
(c) “I saw one earlier, but it’s gone now.”
(d) “I can help you find one.”

5. What advice did the wise old owl give to Sam?
(a) “You won’t find a shell simply by looking for one.”
(b) “You should give up on finding a shell.”
(c) “You should ask the other snails for help.”
(d) “You should search in the forest instead of the garden.”

6. What materials did Sam gather to make his own shell?
(a) Sticks, rocks, and dirt
(b) Seashells, feathers, and twigs
(c) Acorns, pinecones, and grass
(d) Shiny pebbles, colorful petals, and smooth leaves

7. How did Sam feel after crafting his own shell?
(a) Disappointed
(b) Sad
(c) Confident
(d) Anxious

8. What happened to Sam after he showed off his new shell?
(a) He lost his shell.
(b) The other snails laughed at him.
(c) He decided to find a different shell.
(d) He became the most popular snail in the garden.

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Sam stays put and gives up on finding his perfect shell.
2. Sam finally crafts a shell that is uniquely his own.
3. The rabbits in the garden cheer Sam on for wanting a shell.
4. Sam gathers materials from around the garden to make his own shell.
5. A wise old owl gives Sam advice on finding a shell.
6. Sam asks different animals if they have seen a spare shell, but they haven’t.
7. Sam’s story discourages other snails from making their own shells.
8. Sam is a slug who doesn’t have a shell.
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. Why did Sam want to find a shell?
Sam wanted to find a shell because he didn’t have one and he wished to have one like other snails.

2. How did the other animals in the garden react when Sam asked if they had seen a spare shell?
The other animals in the garden laughed and thought it was strange that a snail would want a shell.

3. Who gave Sam advice on finding a shell?
A wise old owl gave Sam advice on finding a shell.

4. What materials did Sam gather to make his own shell?
Sam gathered shiny pebbles, colorful petals, and smooth leaves to make his own shell.

5. How did Sam feel after he attached his new shell?
Sam felt a rush of confidence after he attached his new shell.

6. How did the other garden creatures react when they saw Sam’s new shell?
The other garden creatures were amazed by Sam’s ingenuity and congratulated him on his new shell.

7. What lesson did Sam learn from his journey?
Sam learned that sometimes true happiness and fulfillment can only be found by following your own path and accepting yourself for who you are.

8. How did Sam’s story impact other snails in the garden?
Sam’s story inspired other snails in the garden to make their own shells and embrace their uniqueness.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) named
(2) peculiar
(3) matter
(4) animals
(5) received
(6) puzzled
(7) snail
(8) Feeling
(9) patient
(10) started
(11) materials
(12) garden
(13) ingenuity
(14) became
(15) inspiring
(16) snails
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. peculiar
Answer: (H) Strange or unusual in a way that is surprising or difficult to understand

2. journeyed
Answer: (J) Traveled or went on a trip from one place to another

3. encountered
Answer: (E) Met or came upon unexpectedly or by chance

4. puzzled
Answer: (F) Confused because something is not understood

5. discouraged
Answer: (D) Feeling disheartened or lacking in courage

6. wise
Answer: (N) Having or showing experience, knowledge, and good judgment

7. destiny
Answer: (L) The events that will necessarily happen to a particular person or thing in the future

8. patient
Answer: (B) Able to accept or tolerate delays, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious

9. creative
Answer: (M) Having the ability or power to create something new or imaginative

10. ingenuity
Answer: (O) The quality of being clever, original, and inventive

11. confidence
Answer: (A) A feeling of self-assurance arising from an appreciation of one’s own abilities or qualities

12. popular
Answer: (I) Liked, admired, or enjoyed by many people or by a particular person or group

13. inspiring
Answer: (C) Encouraging or arousing interest or enthusiasm

14. fulfillment
Answer: (G) The achievement of something desired, promised, or predicted

15. accepting
Answer: (K) Recognizing and respecting your own abilities or situations without trying to change them
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the snail in the story?
Answer: (a) Sam

2. What did Sam want to find?
Answer: (b) A shell

3. Who did Sam ask for help in finding a shell?
Answer: (c) Various animals in the garden

4. What did the rabbits say when Sam asked if they had seen a shell?
Answer: (b) “You’re fine just the way you are!”

5. What advice did the wise old owl give to Sam?
Answer: (a) “You won’t find a shell simply by looking for one.”

6. What materials did Sam gather to make his own shell?
Answer: (d) Shiny pebbles, colorful petals, and smooth leaves

7. How did Sam feel after crafting his own shell?
Answer: (c) Confident

8. What happened to Sam after he showed off his new shell?
Answer: (d) He became the most popular snail in the garden.
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Sam stays put and gives up on finding his perfect shell. (Answer: False)
2. Sam finally crafts a shell that is uniquely his own. (Answer: True)
3. The rabbits in the garden cheer Sam on for wanting a shell. (Answer: False)
4. Sam gathers materials from around the garden to make his own shell. (Answer: True)
5. A wise old owl gives Sam advice on finding a shell. (Answer: True)
6. Sam asks different animals if they have seen a spare shell, but they haven’t. (Answer: True)
7. Sam’s story discourages other snails from making their own shells. (Answer: False)
8. Sam is a slug who doesn’t have a shell. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧