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!

The Butterfly Who Lost Her Colors

Bella, a butterfly with vibrant wings, embarks on a treacherous journey to restore her colors.

Try this story at a different level?

 

Once upon a time, in the magical meadow, there lived a beautiful butterfly named Bella. Bella had vibrant, multicolored wings that shimmered in the sunlight. She would flutter from flower to flower, bringing joy and delight to all the creatures in the meadow. One sunny day, while Bella was exploring a new patch of flowers, she encountered a mischievous squirrel who had a taste for colorful things. The squirrel snuck up behind Bella and with a quick swipe, snatched her colorful wings right off her back!

As she looked down at her now drab wings, Bella felt a wave of sadness wash over her. She could no longer bring smiles to the faces of the meadow’s inhabitants. Determined to find a solution, Bella fluttered towards the wise old owl, hoping he would have some advice. The owl listened attentively to Bella’s plight and then hooted, “Fear not, dear Bella! I have heard of a rare flower that holds the power to restore lost colors. It is said to bloom on Mount Evergreen, a treacherous journey away. But if you believe in yourself, you can overcome any obstacle!”

With newfound hope, Bella set off on her adventure to find the mysterious flower. She encountered many challenges along the way, from fierce storms to steep cliffs, but she refused to give up. Finally, after days of relentless effort, Bella reached the peak of Mount Evergreen. There, she found the enchanting flower, its petals sparkling with every color imaginable. With a deep breath, Bella leaned in and touched her wings to the flower’s delicate petals.

Suddenly, a burst of color erupted from the flower and spread throughout Bella’s wings, restoring them to their former glory. As Bella glided back down the mountain, she couldn’t help but notice the beauty of the world around her. The meadow seemed more vibrant and lively than ever before. When Bella returned, all of her friends and even the mischievous squirrel were amazed by her dazzling wings.

Bella realized that losing her colors had taught her an important lesson: beauty comes from within, and true friends love you for who you are, not what you look like. From that day forward, Bella flew with a newfound confidence, spreading love and kindness wherever she went. And as for the squirrel? Bella forgave him and taught him the importance of not taking what did not belong to him.

And so, the meadow lived happily ever after, full of colorful flowers, beautiful butterflies, and friends who valued each other for their true colors.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

1vibrantFull of energy and life
2mischievousPlayfully causing trouble or annoyance
3snatchedGrabbed quickly or forcibly
4drabLacking brightness or interest; dull and lifeless
5plightA dangerous or difficult situation
6treacherousHazardous and unstable
7relentlessPersistent and unyielding in effort
8peakThe highest point or summit
9enchantingCharming and captivating
10eruptedBurst forth suddenly and dramatically
11glidedMoved smoothly and effortlessly
12dazzlingExtremely impressive or attractive
13confidenceThe feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; self-assurance
14forgavePardoned or absolved from a mistake or wrongdoing
15valuedHeld in high regard or esteem

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What did Bella’s wings look like?
2. How did Bella feel when the squirrel took her wings?
3. Who did Bella seek advice from?
4. Where did the owl say the rare flower could be found?
5. What challenges did Bella face on her journey?
6. What happened when Bella touched her wings to the flower’s petals?
7. How did Bella’s friends react when she returned with her colorful wings?
8. What lesson did Bella learn from losing her colors?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time, in the magical meadow, there lived a beautiful butterfly named Bella. Bella had vibrant, multicolored wings that shimmered in the sunlight. She would flutter from flower to flower, (1)______ joy and delight to all the creatures in the meadow. One sunny day, while Bella was exploring a new (2)______ of flowers, she encountered a mischievous (3)______ who had a taste for (4)______ things. The squirrel snuck up behind Bella and with a quick swipe, snatched her colorful wings right off her back!

As she looked down at her now drab wings, Bella felt a wave of sadness wash over her. She could no longer bring smiles to the faces of the meadow’s inhabitants. Determined to find a solution, Bella (5)______ towards the wise old owl, hoping he would have some advice. The owl listened attentively to Bella’s plight and then (6)______, “Fear not, dear Bella! I have heard of a rare (7)______ that holds the power to restore lost colors. It is said to bloom on Mount Evergreen, a treacherous journey away. But if you believe in yourself, you can overcome any obstacle!”

With newfound hope, Bella set off on her adventure to find the mysterious flower. She encountered many challenges along the way, from fierce storms to (8)______ cliffs, but she refused to give up. Finally, after days of relentless effort, Bella reached the peak of Mount (9)______. There, she found the enchanting flower, its petals sparkling with every color imaginable. With a deep breath, Bella (10)______ in and touched her wings to the flower’s (11)______ petals.

Suddenly, a burst of color erupted from the flower and spread throughout Bella’s wings, restoring them to their former glory. As Bella glided back down the mountain, she couldn’t help but notice the beauty of the (12)______ around her. The meadow seemed more vibrant and lively than ever before. When Bella returned, all of her friends and even the mischievous squirrel were amazed by her dazzling wings.

(13)______ realized that losing her colors had (14)______ her an (15)______ lesson: beauty comes from within, and true friends love you for who you are, not what you look like. From that day forward, Bella flew with a newfound confidence, spreading love and kindness wherever she went. And as for the squirrel? Bella forgave him and taught him the importance of not taking what did not belong to him.

And so, the meadow lived happily ever after, full of colorful flowers, beautiful butterflies, and friends who (16)______ each other for their true colors.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is the significance of Bella’s colorful wings in the story?
2. How would you feel if you lost something that made you unique or special?
3. Do you think Bella’s determination to find a solution is admirable? Why or why not?
4. Why do you think Bella chose to seek advice from the wise old owl?
5. Have you ever faced a difficult challenge or obstacle in your life? How did you overcome it?
6. Do you think it is important to believe in yourself in order to overcome obstacles? Why or why not?
7. How do you think Bella’s journey to find the rare flower changed her perspective on beauty?
8. Have you ever learned an important lesson from a difficult experience? If so, what was it?
9. Do you think it is important for friends to accept and love each other for who they are? Why or why not?
10. How do you think Bella’s forgiveness towards the squirrel impacted their relationship?
11. What do you think the moral or lesson of this story is?
12. How do you think Bella’s actions after her transformation demonstrate her newfound confidence?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. vibrant
2. mischievous
3. snatched
4. drab
5. plight
6. treacherous
7. relentless
8. peak
9. enchanting
10. erupted
11. glided
12. dazzling
13. confidence
14. forgave
15. valued

Meanings:
(A) Burst forth suddenly and dramatically
(B) Persistent and unyielding in effort
(C) Moved smoothly and effortlessly
(D) The feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; self-assurance
(E) The highest point or summit
(F) Full of energy and life
(G) Charming and captivating
(H) Hazardous and unstable
(I) Playfully causing trouble or annoyance
(J) Grabbed quickly or forcibly
(K) Extremely impressive or attractive
(L) Pardoned or absolved from a mistake or wrongdoing
(M) Lacking brightness or interest; dull and lifeless
(N) A dangerous or difficult situation
(O) Held in high regard or esteem
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the butterfly in the story?
(a) Bella
(b) Lily
(c) Daisy
(d) Rosie

2. What happened to Bella’s wings?
(a) They were damaged in a storm
(b) They fell off naturally
(c) They were stolen by a squirrel
(d) They were eaten by a bird

3. Who does Bella seek advice from?
(a) The wise old owl
(b) The mischievous squirrel
(c) The colorful flowers
(d) The friendly ladybug

4. Where is the rare flower said to bloom?
(a) Meadow Valley
(b) Shimmering Lake
(c) Enchanted Forest
(d) Mount Evergreen

5. What happens when Bella touches her wings to the flower’s petals?
(a) The flower withers and dies
(b) Her wings are restored to their former glory
(c) Bella gains the ability to fly faster
(d) Bella’s wings turn a different color

6. How does Bella feel when she sees the meadow after her adventure?
(a) The meadow seems dull and lifeless
(b) Bella feels sad and disappointed
(c) The meadow seems more vibrant and lively
(d) Bella feels scared and anxious

7. What lesson does Bella learn from losing her colors?
(a) True friends love you for what you look like
(b) Beauty comes from within
(c) It’s important to always be colorful
(d) Losing your colors is a permanent loss

8. What does Bella do when she returns to the meadow?
(a) She hides away and never comes out
(b) She starts a new adventure to find more colorful flowers
(c) She confronts the mischievous squirrel
(d) She flies with a newfound confidence

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Bella brings joy and delight to all the creatures in the meadow.
2. Bella seeks advice from the wise old owl.
3. The mischievous squirrel returns Bella’s colorful wings.
4. Bella abandons a treacherous journey to find the mysterious flower.
5. Bella remains unaware of the importance of inner beauty and spreads hate and cruelty in the meadow.
6. Bella is a butterfly with vibrant, multicolored wings.
7. The owl tells Bella about a common flower that can restore lost colors.
8. Bella successfully finds the flower and restores her wings to their former glory.
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 Bella’s wings look like?
Bella’s wings were vibrant and multicolored.

2. How did Bella feel when the squirrel took her wings?
Bella felt sad when the squirrel took her wings.

3. Who did Bella seek advice from?
Bella sought advice from the wise old owl.

4. Where did the owl say the rare flower could be found?
The owl said the rare flower could be found on Mount Evergreen.

5. What challenges did Bella face on her journey?
Bella faced challenges such as fierce storms and steep cliffs on her journey.

6. What happened when Bella touched her wings to the flower’s petals?
When Bella touched her wings to the flower’s petals, a burst of color erupted and restored her wings to their former glory.

7. How did Bella’s friends react when she returned with her colorful wings?
Bella’s friends were amazed and impressed when she returned with her colorful wings.

8. What lesson did Bella learn from losing her colors?
Bella learned that beauty comes from within and that true friends love you for who you are, not what you look like.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) bringing
(2) patch
(3) squirrel
(4) colorful
(5) fluttered
(6) hooted
(7) flower
(8) steep
(9) Evergreen
(10) leaned
(11) delicate
(12) world
(13) Bella
(14) taught
(15) important
(16) valued
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. vibrant
Answer: (F) Full of energy and life

2. mischievous
Answer: (I) Playfully causing trouble or annoyance

3. snatched
Answer: (J) Grabbed quickly or forcibly

4. drab
Answer: (M) Lacking brightness or interest; dull and lifeless

5. plight
Answer: (N) A dangerous or difficult situation

6. treacherous
Answer: (H) Hazardous and unstable

7. relentless
Answer: (B) Persistent and unyielding in effort

8. peak
Answer: (E) The highest point or summit

9. enchanting
Answer: (G) Charming and captivating

10. erupted
Answer: (A) Burst forth suddenly and dramatically

11. glided
Answer: (C) Moved smoothly and effortlessly

12. dazzling
Answer: (K) Extremely impressive or attractive

13. confidence
Answer: (D) The feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; self-assurance

14. forgave
Answer: (L) Pardoned or absolved from a mistake or wrongdoing

15. valued
Answer: (O) Held in high regard or esteem
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the butterfly in the story?
Answer: (a) Bella

2. What happened to Bella’s wings?
Answer: (c) They were stolen by a squirrel

3. Who does Bella seek advice from?
Answer: (a) The wise old owl

4. Where is the rare flower said to bloom?
Answer: (d) Mount Evergreen

5. What happens when Bella touches her wings to the flower’s petals?
Answer: (b) Her wings are restored to their former glory

6. How does Bella feel when she sees the meadow after her adventure?
Answer: (c) The meadow seems more vibrant and lively

7. What lesson does Bella learn from losing her colors?
Answer: (b) Beauty comes from within

8. What does Bella do when she returns to the meadow?
Answer: (d) She flies with a newfound confidence
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Bella brings joy and delight to all the creatures in the meadow. (Answer: True)
2. Bella seeks advice from the wise old owl. (Answer: True)
3. The mischievous squirrel returns Bella’s colorful wings. (Answer: False)
4. Bella abandons a treacherous journey to find the mysterious flower. (Answer: False)
5. Bella remains unaware of the importance of inner beauty and spreads hate and cruelty in the meadow. (Answer: False)
6. Bella is a butterfly with vibrant, multicolored wings. (Answer: True)
7. The owl tells Bella about a common flower that can restore lost colors. (Answer: False)
8. Bella successfully finds the flower and restores her wings to their former glory. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 4 stories?

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The broken letterbox becomes a source of laughter and connection as the townsfolk turn it into an interactive game for a mischievous squirrel named Nutkin.

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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

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The Ice Cream Island

A boy named Johnny wins a lifetime supply of ice cream and shares it with everyone on the Ice Cream Island, spreading joy and kindness.

Ella the elephant's friends, Max the monkey and Polly the parrot, come to her rescue when she gets an earache from a cheeky bug.

The Elephant’s Earache

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