Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

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Short Stories for Kids

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Rainbow Ribbons in the Sky

The Rainbow Ribbons work together to fix a chaotic rainbow and teach us about unity.

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Once upon a time in a magical land, there was a group of colorful creatures called the Rainbow Ribbons. They were tiny beings that lived high up in the sky, and they were responsible for bringing rainbows to the world below. Each ribbon had a unique color and a special power. There was Rosy Ribbon, the pink leader, who could make flowers bloom instantly. Sunny Ribbon, the yellow joker, could make the sun shine brighter. Blueberry Ribbon, the blue dreamer, could make the clouds form funny shapes. And finally, there was Emerald Ribbon, the shy green guardian, who could make plants grow taller and stronger. Together, they created the most beautiful rainbows.

One sunny day, the Rainbow Ribbons were getting ready to paint the sky with their magical colors. But just as they were about to start, a mischievous cloud named Stormy drifted over them. Stormy blew a gust of wind, scattering the colors everywhere and turning the once beautiful rainbow into a chaotic mess. The Rainbow Ribbons were shocked! How were they going to fix this?

Quickly, they gathered their wits and decided to work together. Rosy Ribbon used her pink power to calm down Stormy, while Sunny Ribbon tried to make him laugh with his silly jokes. Blueberry Ribbon and Emerald Ribbon joined forces, using their powers to gather the scattered colors and bring them back in order.

With their combined efforts, the Rainbow Ribbons were able to clean up the sky and create an even more beautiful rainbow than before. The colors harmoniously blended together, forming a stunning sight that made everyone on Earth gasp in awe. The Rainbow Ribbons were delighted and realized that by working as a team, they could achieve anything, even in the face of chaos.

The Rainbow Ribbons taught us all an important lesson that day. They showed us that working together and using our unique strengths, we can overcome any challenge that comes our way. They reminded us that it’s okay to ask for help and that together, we can create something even more magnificent than we could ever achieve alone. And so, from that day on, whenever we see a rainbow in the sky, we remember the Rainbow Ribbons and their colorful tale of unity and triumph.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

1magicalHaving a special or mysterious quality that is often associated with the supernatural
2responsibleBeing in charge of a duty or task
3uniqueOne of a kind; having no like or equal
4instantlyWithout any delay; immediately
5mischievousPlayfully causing trouble or annoyance
6chaoticIn a state of complete disorder and confusion
7shockedSurprised and upset by something unexpected
8witsIntelligence and cleverness, often used to face difficult situations
9combinedJoined together to produce a single result
10harmoniouslyIn a way that is well-coordinated and pleasing
11stunningExtremely impressive or beautiful
12delightedFeeling very happy or satisfied
13challengeA difficult task or problem that tests someone’s abilities
14triumphA significant or noteworthy victory or success
15unityThe state of being united or joined as a whole

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What were the special powers of each Rainbow Ribbon?
2. How did Stormy disrupt the Rainbow Ribbons’ plans?
3. How did Rosy Ribbon and Sunny Ribbon try to handle Stormy?
4. What did Blueberry Ribbon and Emerald Ribbon do to fix the chaotic mess?
5. How did the Rainbow Ribbons feel when they were able to clean up the sky?
6. What lesson did the Rainbow Ribbons teach us?
7. How did the Rainbow Ribbons show us the power of teamwork?
8. What do we remember whenever we see a rainbow in the sky?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time in a magical land, there was a (1)______ of (2)______ful creatures called the Rainbow Ribbons. They were tiny beings that lived high up in the sky, and they were responsible for bringing rainbows to the (3)______ below. Each ribbon had a unique color and a special power. There was Rosy Ribbon, the pink leader, who could make flowers bloom instantly. (4)______ Ribbon, the yellow joker, could make the sun shine brighter. Blueberry Ribbon, the blue dreamer, could make the clouds form funny shapes. And finally, there was Emerald Ribbon, the shy green guardian, who could make (5)______ grow taller and stronger. Together, they created the most beautiful rainbows.

One sunny day, the Rainbow (6)______ were getting ready to paint the sky with their (7)______ colors. But just as they were about to start, a mischievous cloud named Stormy drifted over them. Stormy blew a gust of wind, scattering the colors everywhere and turning the once beautiful rainbow into a chaotic mess. The Rainbow Ribbons were shocked! How were they (8)______ to fix this?

Quickly, they gathered their wits and decided to work together. Rosy Ribbon used her pink power to calm down Stormy, while Sunny Ribbon tried to make him (9)______ with his silly jokes. Blueberry Ribbon and Emerald Ribbon joined (10)______, using their powers to gather the scattered colors and bring them back in order.

With their combined efforts, the (11)______ Ribbons were able to clean up the sky and (12)______ an even more beautiful rainbow than before. The colors harmoniously blended together, forming a stunning sight that made everyone on Earth gasp in awe. The Rainbow Ribbons were delighted and realized that by working as a team, they could achieve anything, even in the face of chaos.

The Rainbow Ribbons taught us all an important (13)______ that day. They showed us that working together and using our unique (14)______, we can (15)______ any challenge that (16)______ our way. They reminded us that it’s okay to ask for help and that together, we can create something even more magnificent than we could ever achieve alone. And so, from that day on, whenever we see a rainbow in the sky, we remember the Rainbow Ribbons and their colorful tale of unity and triumph.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your favorite color and why?
2. How would you feel if you had a special power like the Rainbow Ribbons? Why?
3. Do you like working in a team or by yourself? Why?
4. What is something chaotic that you have experienced in your life? How did you handle it?
5. How do you think the Rainbow Ribbons felt when Stormy blew away their colors? Why?
6. Do you think it’s important to ask for help when facing a challenge? Why or why not?
7. Have you ever seen a rainbow in the sky? How did it make you feel?
8. What is something beautiful in nature that you find awe-inspiring? Why?
9. Do you think it’s possible for people to work together to create something magnificent? Why or why not?
10. How do you think the Rainbow Ribbons felt when they were able to fix the chaotic rainbow? Why?
11. What is a lesson that you have learned from a difficult situation in your life? How did it change you?
12. Do you think it’s important for individuals to embrace their unique strengths? Why or why not?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. magical
2. responsible
3. unique
4. instantly
5. mischievous
6. chaotic
7. shocked
8. wits
9. combined
10. harmoniously
11. stunning
12. delighted
13. challenge
14. triumph
15. unity

Meanings:
(A) Joined together to produce a single result
(B) Having a special or mysterious quality that is often associated with the supernatural
(C) A significant or noteworthy victory or success
(D) Surprised and upset by something unexpected
(E) One of a kind; having no like or equal
(F) Playfully causing trouble or annoyance
(G) The state of being united or joined as a whole
(H) Without any delay; immediately
(I) In a way that is well-coordinated and pleasing
(J) Being in charge of a duty or task
(K) A difficult task or problem that tests someone’s abilities
(L) In a state of complete disorder and confusion
(M) Intelligence and cleverness, often used to face difficult situations
(N) Feeling very happy or satisfied
(O) Extremely impressive or beautiful
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the pink leader of the Rainbow Ribbons?
(a) Rosy Ribbon
(b) Sunny Ribbon
(c) Blueberry Ribbon
(d) Emerald Ribbon

2. Which Ribbon can make the sun shine brighter?
(a) Rosy Ribbon
(b) Sunny Ribbon
(c) Blueberry Ribbon
(d) Emerald Ribbon

3. Which Ribbon can make clouds form funny shapes?
(a) Sunny Ribbon
(b) Rosy Ribbon
(c) Blueberry Ribbon
(d) Emerald Ribbon

4. Which Ribbon can make plants grow taller and stronger?
(a) Sunny Ribbon
(b) Blueberry Ribbon
(c) Rosy Ribbon
(d) Emerald Ribbon

5. What caused the chaos in the sky?
(a) Rosy Ribbon’s pink power
(b) Sunny Ribbon’s silly jokes
(c) Stormy the mischievous cloud
(d) Blueberry Ribbon and Emerald Ribbon’s powers

6. How did Rosy Ribbon calm down Stormy?
(a) By making the sun shine brighter
(b) By making clouds form funny shapes
(c) By making plants grow taller and stronger
(d) By using her pink power

7. How did the Rainbow Ribbons fix the chaotic rainbow?
(a) By working together and using their unique powers
(b) By asking for help from the creatures on Earth
(c) By creating an even more chaotic mess
(d) By giving up and leaving the sky as it was

8. What did the Rainbow Ribbons teach us?
(a) That chaos is inevitable and cannot be fixed
(b) That working together and using our unique strengths can overcome challenges
(c) That rainbows are a natural phenomenon with no deeper meaning
(d) That each Ribbon should work alone and not rely on others

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Blueberry Ribbon, the blue dreamer, could make the clouds form sad shapes.
2. Sunny Ribbon, the yellow joker, could make the sun shine brighter.
3. Each ribbon had a unique color and a special power.
4. Stormy, a mischievous cloud, caused chaos by scattering the colors of the rainbow.
5. The Rainbow Ribbons were responsible for bringing rainbows to the underworld.
6. Emerald Ribbon, the bold green guardian, could make plants grow shorter and weaker.
7. Rosy Ribbon, the pink leader, could make flowers bloom instantly.
8. The Rainbow Ribbons worked against each other to worsen the chaos and create an even more ugly rainbow.
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 were the special powers of each Rainbow Ribbon?
Rosy Ribbon had the power to make flowers bloom instantly. Sunny Ribbon could make the sun shine brighter. Blueberry Ribbon could make the clouds form funny shapes. Emerald Ribbon could make plants grow taller and stronger.

2. How did Stormy disrupt the Rainbow Ribbons’ plans?
Stormy blew a gust of wind, scattering the colors of the rainbow everywhere and turning it into a chaotic mess.

3. How did Rosy Ribbon and Sunny Ribbon try to handle Stormy?
Rosy Ribbon used her pink power to calm down Stormy. Sunny Ribbon tried to make Stormy laugh with his silly jokes.

4. What did Blueberry Ribbon and Emerald Ribbon do to fix the chaotic mess?
Blueberry Ribbon and Emerald Ribbon used their powers to gather the scattered colors and bring them back in order.

5. How did the Rainbow Ribbons feel when they were able to clean up the sky?
The Rainbow Ribbons felt delighted when they were able to clean up the sky and create an even more beautiful rainbow than before.

6. What lesson did the Rainbow Ribbons teach us?
The Rainbow Ribbons taught us that by working together and using our unique strengths, we can overcome any challenge that comes our way.

7. How did the Rainbow Ribbons show us the power of teamwork?
The Rainbow Ribbons showed us the power of teamwork by working together and combining their individual powers to fix the chaotic mess and create a beautiful rainbow.

8. What do we remember whenever we see a rainbow in the sky?
Whenever we see a rainbow in the sky, we remember the Rainbow Ribbons and their colorful tale of unity and triumph.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) group
(2) color
(3) world
(4) Sunny
(5) plants
(6) Ribbons
(7) magical
(8) going
(9) laugh
(10) forces
(11) Rainbow
(12) create
(13) lesson
(14) strengths
(15) overcome
(16) comes
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. magical
Answer: (B) Having a special or mysterious quality that is often associated with the supernatural

2. responsible
Answer: (J) Being in charge of a duty or task

3. unique
Answer: (E) One of a kind; having no like or equal

4. instantly
Answer: (H) Without any delay; immediately

5. mischievous
Answer: (F) Playfully causing trouble or annoyance

6. chaotic
Answer: (L) In a state of complete disorder and confusion

7. shocked
Answer: (D) Surprised and upset by something unexpected

8. wits
Answer: (M) Intelligence and cleverness, often used to face difficult situations

9. combined
Answer: (A) Joined together to produce a single result

10. harmoniously
Answer: (I) In a way that is well-coordinated and pleasing

11. stunning
Answer: (O) Extremely impressive or beautiful

12. delighted
Answer: (N) Feeling very happy or satisfied

13. challenge
Answer: (K) A difficult task or problem that tests someone’s abilities

14. triumph
Answer: (C) A significant or noteworthy victory or success

15. unity
Answer: (G) The state of being united or joined as a whole
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the pink leader of the Rainbow Ribbons?
Answer: (a) Rosy Ribbon

2. Which Ribbon can make the sun shine brighter?
Answer: (b) Sunny Ribbon

3. Which Ribbon can make clouds form funny shapes?
Answer: (c) Blueberry Ribbon

4. Which Ribbon can make plants grow taller and stronger?
Answer: (d) Emerald Ribbon

5. What caused the chaos in the sky?
Answer: (c) Stormy the mischievous cloud

6. How did Rosy Ribbon calm down Stormy?
Answer: (d) By using her pink power

7. How did the Rainbow Ribbons fix the chaotic rainbow?
Answer: (a) By working together and using their unique powers

8. What did the Rainbow Ribbons teach us?
Answer: (b) That working together and using our unique strengths can overcome challenges
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Blueberry Ribbon, the blue dreamer, could make the clouds form sad shapes. (Answer: False)
2. Sunny Ribbon, the yellow joker, could make the sun shine brighter. (Answer: True)
3. Each ribbon had a unique color and a special power. (Answer: True)
4. Stormy, a mischievous cloud, caused chaos by scattering the colors of the rainbow. (Answer: True)
5. The Rainbow Ribbons were responsible for bringing rainbows to the underworld. (Answer: False)
6. Emerald Ribbon, the bold green guardian, could make plants grow shorter and weaker. (Answer: False)
7. Rosy Ribbon, the pink leader, could make flowers bloom instantly. (Answer: True)
8. The Rainbow Ribbons worked against each other to worsen the chaos and create an even more ugly rainbow. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 4 stories?

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Bella’s Balloon Ride

Bella’s backyard adventure takes an unexpected twist when mischievous animals join her hot air balloon ride.

A young girl named Lily embarks on a daring adventure to find a hidden harbor and discovers that true treasure lies in the simple pleasures of life.

The Hidden Harbor

A young girl named Lily embarks on a daring adventure to find a hidden harbor and discovers that true treasure lies in the simple pleasures of life.

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

The Dinosaur Detective

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

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