Paul Holmes -
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English Professor

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Short Stories for Kids

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The Adventures of Clara Cloud

Clara the cloud discovers her purpose in bringing joy and rain to the world.

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Once upon a time, high above the Earth, there floated a cheerful little cloud named Clara. Unlike other clouds, Clara loved adventure and mischief. She was always looking for something new to explore or someone to prank. One day, as Clara floated over a quiet village, she spotted a rainbow for the first time. Captivated by the beautiful colors, Clara decided to follow it and see where it led.

As Clara descended towards the ground, she suddenly realized she had entered a world of humans. She found herself in a bustling city, filled with cars and skyscrapers. Excited to explore, Clara transformed herself into a fluffy white cotton candy and drifted over the streets. Unfortunately, her innocent disguise attracted the attention of a little girl who eagerly plucked her out of the air and took a big bite.

Clara tried to wiggle free, but it was too late. The girl spat her out, screaming in disgust. Clara, now annoyed, transformed into a misty fog and hid amongst the buildings. As she moved through the city, Clara accidentally discovered a group of children singing and playing instruments in a park. Inspired, she joined in, adding her own cheerful tune to the mix. The children laughed and danced, their joy spreading all around them.

In that moment, Clara realized the positive impact she could have on the world. No longer interested in causing mischief, she embraced her newfound purpose to spread happiness. She transformed into a fluffy cloud once more and floated over the city, showering raindrops that brought life to the plants and washing away the dirt and grime from the streets. The people below beamed with delight and thanked Clara for her much-needed gift of nature.

From that day on, Clara dedicated herself to bringing joy, laughter, and rain to those she encountered. People began looking up at the sky, hoping to catch a glimpse of the playful cloud that always managed to make their day a little brighter. Clara had learned that true adventure was not about causing havoc, but about finding one’s purpose and bringing happiness to others. And so, the adventures of Clara Cloud continued, spreading joy wherever she went.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

1captivatedStrongly attracted or charmed by something
2descendedMoved downward
3bustlingFull of activity and people moving around
4skyscrapersVery tall buildings found in a city
5disguiseA costume or appearance used to hide one’s true identity
6mistyFilled with fine droplets of water, creating a light fog
7accidentallyWithout intention; by chance
8inspiredFilled with the urge to do or feel something, especially to do something creative
9embracedAccepted or held closely, often used metaphorically
10showeringPouring out or distributing in abundance
11grimeDirt that is ingrained and difficult to remove
12beamedShone brightly with happiness or pride
13dedicatedCommitted or devoted to a task or purpose
14glimpseA brief or quick view of something
15havocGreat confusion or disorder

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What did Clara love that made her different from other clouds?
2. Where did Clara find herself when she descended towards the ground?
3. What happened when the little girl plucked Clara out of the air?
4. How did Clara react when the girl spat her out?
5. What did Clara accidentally discover in the city?
6. What did Clara realize in that moment?
7. How did Clara transform herself to spread happiness?
8. What did people do after Clara started bringing joy and rain to the city?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time, high above the Earth, there floated a cheerful (1)______ cloud named Clara. Unlike other clouds, Clara loved adventure and mischief. She was always looking for something new to explore or someone to prank. One day, as Clara floated over a quiet village, she spotted a rainbow for the first time. Captivated by the (2)______ colors, Clara decided to (3)______ it and see where it led.

As Clara descended towards the (4)______, she suddenly realized she had entered a world of humans. She found herself in a bustling city, filled with cars and skyscrapers. Excited to explore, Clara transformed herself into a (5)______ white cotton candy and drifted over the streets. Unfortunately, her innocent (6)______ attracted the attention of a little girl who eagerly plucked her out of the air and took a big bite.

Clara tried to wiggle free, but it was too late. The girl spat her out, screaming in disgust. Clara, now (7)______, transformed into a misty fog and hid amongst the buildings. As she moved through the city, Clara accidentally discovered a group of (8)______ singing and playing instruments in a park. Inspired, she joined in, adding her own cheerful tune to the mix. The children (9)______ and danced, their joy (10)______ all around them.

In that moment, Clara realized the positive impact she could have on the world. No longer interested in (11)______ mischief, she embraced her newfound purpose to spread (12)______. She transformed into a fluffy cloud once more and floated over the city, showering raindrops that brought life to the plants and washing away the dirt and grime from the streets. The people below (13)______ with (14)______ and (15)______ Clara for her much-needed gift of nature.

From that day on, Clara dedicated herself to (16)______ joy, laughter, and rain to those she encountered. People began looking up at the sky, hoping to catch a glimpse of the playful cloud that always managed to make their day a little brighter. Clara had learned that true adventure was not about causing havoc, but about finding one’s purpose and bringing happiness to others. And so, the adventures of Clara Cloud continued, spreading joy wherever she went.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is the importance of finding one’s purpose in life?
2. How would you feel if you were Clara and someone took a bite out of you?
3. Do you think it’s important to embrace change and try new things, like Clara did?
4. Why do you think Clara decided to spread happiness instead of causing mischief?
5. How would you feel if you discovered a hidden talent, like Clara did with her cheerful tune?
6. Do you think it’s important to bring joy and laughter to others? Why or why not?
7. What is the impact of small acts of kindness, like Clara showering raindrops on the city?
8. How would you feel if you were one of the people in the city, experiencing Clara’s rain and joy?
9. Do you think it’s important to look for the positive in every situation, like Clara did when she transformed into a misty fog?
10. Why do you think people started looking up at the sky, hoping to see Clara?
11. What is the significance of nature in bringing happiness to people?
12. How would you feel if you were Clara and realized you had the power to make people’s day a little brighter?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. captivated
2. descended
3. bustling
4. skyscrapers
5. disguise
6. misty
7. accidentally
8. inspired
9. embraced
10. showering
11. grime
12. beamed
13. dedicated
14. glimpse
15. havoc

Meanings:
(A) Full of activity and people moving around
(B) Filled with the urge to do or feel something, especially to do something creative
(C) Filled with fine droplets of water, creating a light fog
(D) Dirt that is ingrained and difficult to remove
(E) Pouring out or distributing in abundance
(F) Without intention; by chance
(G) A brief or quick view of something
(H) Shone brightly with happiness or pride
(I) Great confusion or disorder
(J) Accepted or held closely, often used metaphorically
(K) Committed or devoted to a task or purpose
(L) Moved downward
(M) A costume or appearance used to hide one’s true identity
(N) Very tall buildings found in a city
(O) Strongly attracted or charmed by something
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What did Clara transform into when she entered the bustling city?
(a) Fluffy white cotton candy
(b) Raindrops
(c) Misty fog
(d) Skyscrapers

2. What did the little girl do when she plucked Clara out of the air?
(a) Threw her away
(b) Took a big bite
(c) Hugged her tightly
(d) Ignored her

3. How did Clara join in with the group of children in the park?
(a) By dancing on her own
(b) By playing a new instrument
(c) By adding her own cheerful tune
(d) By singing a solo

4. What did Clara realize about her impact on the world?
(a) She could cause mischief
(b) She could hide amongst the buildings
(c) She could transform into different things
(d) She could bring happiness to others

5. What did Clara transform into after she realized her purpose?
(a) Skyscraper
(b) Misty fog
(c) Rainbow
(d) Fluffy cloud

6. What did Clara do to bring joy to the people below?
(a) Played instruments
(b) Showered raindrops
(c) Hid amongst the buildings
(d) Caused mischief

7. What did people do when they saw Clara in the sky?
(a) Looked up and smiled
(b) Ran away in fear
(c) Ignored her
(d) Threw things at her

8. What did Clara learn about true adventure?
(a) It was about causing havoc
(b) It was about transforming into different things
(c) It was about finding one’s purpose and bringing happiness to others
(d) It was about hiding amongst the buildings

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Clara is a cloud who loves adventure and mischief.
2. Clara realizes her purpose is to spread sadness and brings drought to the city.
3. Clara ends up in a bustling city filled with cars and skyscrapers.
4. Clara’s adventures discontinue as she spreads sadness wherever she goes.
5. Clara joins a group of children singing and playing instruments in a park.
6. Clara transforms into cotton candy and is eaten by a little girl.
7. Clara transforms into a solid rock and hides amongst the buildings.
8. Clara ignores a rainbow and decides to ignore it.
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 did Clara love that made her different from other clouds?
Clara loved adventure and mischief.

2. Where did Clara find herself when she descended towards the ground?
Clara found herself in a bustling city.

3. What happened when the little girl plucked Clara out of the air?
The little girl took a bite of Clara, but spat her out in disgust.

4. How did Clara react when the girl spat her out?
Clara transformed into a misty fog and hid amongst the buildings.

5. What did Clara accidentally discover in the city?
Clara accidentally discovered a group of children singing and playing instruments in a park.

6. What did Clara realize in that moment?
Clara realized the positive impact she could have on the world.

7. How did Clara transform herself to spread happiness?
Clara transformed into a fluffy cloud and showered raindrops over the city.

8. What did people do after Clara started bringing joy and rain to the city?
People looked up at the sky, hoping to catch a glimpse of Clara and thanked her for her gift of nature.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) little
(2) beautiful
(3) follow
(4) ground
(5) fluffy
(6) disguise
(7) annoyed
(8) children
(9) laughed
(10) spreading
(11) causing
(12) happiness
(13) beamed
(14) delight
(15) thanked
(16) bringing
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. captivated
Answer: (O) Strongly attracted or charmed by something

2. descended
Answer: (L) Moved downward

3. bustling
Answer: (A) Full of activity and people moving around

4. skyscrapers
Answer: (N) Very tall buildings found in a city

5. disguise
Answer: (M) A costume or appearance used to hide one’s true identity

6. misty
Answer: (C) Filled with fine droplets of water, creating a light fog

7. accidentally
Answer: (F) Without intention; by chance

8. inspired
Answer: (B) Filled with the urge to do or feel something, especially to do something creative

9. embraced
Answer: (J) Accepted or held closely, often used metaphorically

10. showering
Answer: (E) Pouring out or distributing in abundance

11. grime
Answer: (D) Dirt that is ingrained and difficult to remove

12. beamed
Answer: (H) Shone brightly with happiness or pride

13. dedicated
Answer: (K) Committed or devoted to a task or purpose

14. glimpse
Answer: (G) A brief or quick view of something

15. havoc
Answer: (I) Great confusion or disorder
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What did Clara transform into when she entered the bustling city?
Answer: (a) Fluffy white cotton candy

2. What did the little girl do when she plucked Clara out of the air?
Answer: (b) Took a big bite

3. How did Clara join in with the group of children in the park?
Answer: (c) By adding her own cheerful tune

4. What did Clara realize about her impact on the world?
Answer: (d) She could bring happiness to others

5. What did Clara transform into after she realized her purpose?
Answer: (d) Fluffy cloud

6. What did Clara do to bring joy to the people below?
Answer: (b) Showered raindrops

7. What did people do when they saw Clara in the sky?
Answer: (a) Looked up and smiled

8. What did Clara learn about true adventure?
Answer: (c) It was about finding one’s purpose and bringing happiness to others
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Clara is a cloud who loves adventure and mischief. (Answer: True)
2. Clara realizes her purpose is to spread sadness and brings drought to the city. (Answer: False)
3. Clara ends up in a bustling city filled with cars and skyscrapers. (Answer: True)
4. Clara’s adventures discontinue as she spreads sadness wherever she goes. (Answer: False)
5. Clara joins a group of children singing and playing instruments in a park. (Answer: True)
6. Clara transforms into cotton candy and is eaten by a little girl. (Answer: True)
7. Clara transforms into a solid rock and hides amongst the buildings. (Answer: False)
8. Clara ignores a rainbow and decides to ignore it. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 4 stories?

A young princess named Isabella embarks on a quest, armed with a magical crown and a talking parrot, to find an enchanted crystal and discovers that true strength lies within herself.

The Curious Case of the Crooked Crown

A young princess named Isabella embarks on a quest, armed with a magical crown and a talking parrot, to find an enchanted crystal and discovers that true strength lies within herself.

Bobo the mischievous monkey and Toots the colorful toucan befriend a group of squirrels and discover a magical singing waterfall in the Jade Jungle, ultimately learning the power of friendship and laughter.

The Journey to the Jade Jungle

Bobo the mischievous monkey and Toots the colorful toucan befriend a group of squirrels and discover a magical singing waterfall in the Jade Jungle, ultimately learning the power of friendship and laughter.

Mia and Ben conquer the Maze of Mirrors, learning the value of perseverance and laughter.

The Maze of Mirrors

Mia and Ben conquer the Maze of Mirrors, learning the value of perseverance and laughter.

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