Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

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Short Stories for Kids

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The Carnival of Colors

disaster into a triumph, creating a beautiful and unforgettable moment for everyone involved.

Try this story at a different level?

 

Once upon a time, in a small village called Rainbowland, the annual Carnival of Colors was the most anticipated event of the year. People from all over the land would gather to celebrate the beauty of color and enjoy a day filled with laughter and joy. The carnival grounds were transformed into a vibrant paradise, with colorful decorations and delicious treats for everyone to indulge in.

As the sun rose on the day of the carnival, the villagers couldn’t contain their excitement. The carnival was believed to bring good luck and happiness for the entire year, so everyone dressed in their most colorful attire. The highlight of the carnival was the Great Color Parade, where participants would showcase their creative and stunning costumes. This year, there was a special prize for the most innovative costume.

Among the participants was Timmy, a young boy with a passion for art. He had spent days meticulously creating his costume, a colorful bird with magnificent feathers. But as fate would have it, on the way to the carnival grounds, a gust of wind blew Timmy’s costume away. Timmy was devastated and scared that he couldn’t participate in the parade. Suddenly, Polly, a mischievous parrot, swooped down and picked up the costume.

Polly, being known for playing pranks, thought it would be hilarious to hide the costume and watch Timmy’s despair. But as she flew over Rainbowland, the colorful feathers attracted the attention of the villagers, who followed Polly to a hidden spot. When Polly realized what she had done, she felt a pang of guilt. She quickly led the villagers back to the spot and pointed to the hidden feathers.

The villagers were amazed by the vibrant colors and intricate details of Timmy’s costume. They decided to help him reassemble it, and together, they turned the feathers into one breathtaking masterpiece. The judges of the Great Color Parade were astounded by Timmy’s creation and awarded him the special prize for his resilience and the spirit of community he had displayed.

Timmy realized that sometimes, even when things go wrong, there can be unexpected twists and turns that lead to something even better. He learned the value of community and how people coming together can turn a r

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

1anticipatedExpected or looked forward to with excitement
2vibrantFull of energy and life; bright and striking
3indulgeTo allow oneself to enjoy the pleasure of something
4meticulouslyWith great attention to detail; very carefully and precisely
5innovativeShowing creativity and originality
6devastatedFilled with a sense of loss or grief
7mischievousFond of causing trouble in a playful way
8despairThe complete loss or absence of hope
9intricateVery complex and detailed
10masterpieceA work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship
11astoundedGreatly surprised or impressed; amazed
12resilienceThe ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions
13communityA group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common
14unexpectedNot expected or regarded as likely to happen
15valueThe importance, worth, or usefulness of something

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What was the annual event in Rainbowland called?
2. Why were people from all over the land excited for the carnival?
3. What was the highlight of the carnival?
4. What happened to Timmy’s costume on the way to the carnival?
5. Why did Polly decide to hide Timmy’s costume?
6. What happened when the villagers followed Polly to the hidden spot?
7. How did the villagers help Timmy with his costume?
8. What did Timmy learn from his experience at the carnival?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time, in a small village called Rainbowland, the annual (1)______ of (2)______ was the most anticipated event of the year. People from all over the land would gather to celebrate the beauty of color and enjoy a day filled with laughter and joy. The carnival grounds were transformed into a vibrant (3)______, with colorful decorations and delicious treats for everyone to indulge in.

As the sun rose on the day of the carnival, the villagers couldn’t (4)______ their excitement. The carnival was believed to bring good luck and happiness for the entire year, so everyone dressed in their most colorful attire. The highlight of the carnival was the Great (5)______ Parade, where participants would showcase their creative and stunning (6)______s. This year, there was a special prize for the most innovative costume.

Among the participants was Timmy, a young boy with a passion for art. He had spent days meticulously (7)______ his costume, a colorful bird with magnificent feathers. But as fate would have it, on the way to the carnival (8)______, a gust of wind blew Timmy’s costume away. Timmy was devastated and scared that he couldn’t participate in the parade. Suddenly, Polly, a mischievous (9)______, swooped down and picked up the costume.

Polly, being known for playing pranks, thought it would be hilarious to hide the costume and watch Timmy’s despair. But as she flew over Rainbowland, the (10)______ (11)______ attracted the attention of the villagers, who (12)______ Polly to a hidden spot. When Polly realized what she had done, she felt a pang of guilt. She quickly led the villagers back to the spot and pointed to the hidden feathers.

The villagers were amazed by the vibrant colors and (13)______ details of Timmy’s costume. They (14)______ to help him reassemble it, and together, they turned the feathers into one breathtaking masterpiece. The (15)______ of the Great Color Parade were astounded by Timmy’s creation and awarded him the special prize for his resilience and the spirit of community he had (16)______.

Timmy realized that sometimes, even when things go wrong, there can be unexpected twists and turns that lead to something even better. He learned the value of community and how people coming together can turn a r
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is the significance of the Carnival of Colors in Rainbowland?
2. How would you feel if you had spent days creating a costume for a parade and it blew away?
3. Do you think it was fair for Polly to hide Timmy’s costume as a prank? Why or why not?
4. What do you think the villagers learned from this experience?
5. How important do you think community is in overcoming challenges?
6. Do you think it is important to participate in community events like the Carnival of Colors? Why or why not?
7. How would you feel if you were one of the villagers who followed Polly and discovered the hidden feathers?
8. What do you think Timmy learned from this experience?
9. Do you think Timmy deserved to win the special prize? Why or why not?
10. How do you think the villagers felt when they saw Timmy’s reassembled costume?
11. What is the value of resilience in facing challenges?
12. Have you ever experienced a situation where something unexpected led to something better? If so, can you share your story?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. anticipated
2. vibrant
3. indulge
4. meticulously
5. innovative
6. devastated
7. mischievous
8. despair
9. intricate
10. masterpiece
11. astounded
12. resilience
13. community
14. unexpected
15. value

Meanings:
(A) Full of energy and life; bright and striking
(B) The complete loss or absence of hope
(C) The ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions
(D) Expected or looked forward to with excitement
(E) Fond of causing trouble in a playful way
(F) Not expected or regarded as likely to happen
(G) Very complex and detailed
(H) Filled with a sense of loss or grief
(I) Greatly surprised or impressed; amazed
(J) A work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship
(K) A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common
(L) To allow oneself to enjoy the pleasure of something
(M) The importance, worth, or usefulness of something
(N) Showing creativity and originality
(O) With great attention to detail; very carefully and precisely
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What was the name of the annual event in Rainbowland?
(a) Festival of Lights
(b) Parade of Joy
(c) Carnival of Colors
(d) Celebration of Music

2. What was the highlight of the carnival?
(a) The Delicious Treats Contest
(b) The Talent Show
(c) The Carnival Games
(d) The Great Color Parade

3. What happened to Timmy’s costume on the way to the carnival?
(a) It was stolen by a mischievous parrot
(b) It was blown away by the wind
(c) It got lost in the crowd
(d) It was damaged by rain

4. What did Polly, the mischievous parrot, do with Timmy’s costume?
(a) She returned it to Timmy
(b) She destroyed it
(c) She hid it
(d) She wore it herself

5. How did the villagers find Timmy’s hidden feathers?
(a) They searched the entire carnival grounds
(b) They asked Timmy for clues
(c) They stumbled upon them by accident
(d) They followed Polly, the parrot

6. What did the villagers do when they found Timmy’s feathers?
(a) They helped him reassemble the costume
(b) They ignored them and continued with the carnival
(c) They threw them away
(d) They laughed at Timmy’s misfortune

7. Why did the judges award Timmy the special prize?
(a) For having the most colorful costume
(b) For his resilience and the spirit of community he displayed
(c) For being the youngest participant in the parade
(d) For his creativity and artistic skills

8. What did Timmy learn from his experience at the carnival?
(a) The value of community and resilience
(b) The importance of winning prizes
(c) The need to always have a backup plan
(d) The joy of playing pranks on others

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The Great Color Parade is the highlight of the carnival.
2. Timmy, an elderly man with a passion for art, loses his costume on the way to the carnival grounds.
3. The carnival is the most anticipated event of the year in Rainbowland.
4. Polly, a well-behaved parrot, hides Timmy’s costume as a prank.
5. The villagers scatter to hinder Timmy from reassembling his costume.
6. The carnival is believed to bring bad luck and sadness for the entire year.
7. Timmy wins a special prize for his resilience and the spirit of community he displayed.
8. The annual Carnival of Colors takes place in a small village called Rainbowland.
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 was the annual event in Rainbowland called?
The annual event in Rainbowland was called the Carnival of Colors.

2. Why were people from all over the land excited for the carnival?
People from all over the land were excited for the carnival because it was believed to bring good luck and happiness for the entire year.

3. What was the highlight of the carnival?
The highlight of the carnival was the Great Color Parade, where participants showcased their creative and stunning costumes.

4. What happened to Timmy’s costume on the way to the carnival?
On the way to the carnival, a gust of wind blew Timmy’s costume away.

5. Why did Polly decide to hide Timmy’s costume?
Polly decided to hide Timmy’s costume because she thought it would be hilarious to watch Timmy’s despair.

6. What happened when the villagers followed Polly to the hidden spot?
When the villagers followed Polly to the hidden spot, they found Timmy’s costume and were amazed by its vibrant colors and intricate details.

7. How did the villagers help Timmy with his costume?
The villagers helped Timmy reassemble his costume and turned the feathers into a breathtaking masterpiece.

8. What did Timmy learn from his experience at the carnival?
Timmy learned the value of community and how people coming together can turn a difficult situation into something even better.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) Carnival
(2) Colors
(3) paradise
(4) contain
(5) Color
(6) costume
(7) creating
(8) grounds
(9) parrot
(10) colorful
(11) feathers
(12) followed
(13) intricate
(14) decided
(15) judges
(16) displayed
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. anticipated
Answer: (D) Expected or looked forward to with excitement

2. vibrant
Answer: (A) Full of energy and life; bright and striking

3. indulge
Answer: (L) To allow oneself to enjoy the pleasure of something

4. meticulously
Answer: (O) With great attention to detail; very carefully and precisely

5. innovative
Answer: (N) Showing creativity and originality

6. devastated
Answer: (H) Filled with a sense of loss or grief

7. mischievous
Answer: (E) Fond of causing trouble in a playful way

8. despair
Answer: (B) The complete loss or absence of hope

9. intricate
Answer: (G) Very complex and detailed

10. masterpiece
Answer: (J) A work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship

11. astounded
Answer: (I) Greatly surprised or impressed; amazed

12. resilience
Answer: (C) The ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions

13. community
Answer: (K) A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common

14. unexpected
Answer: (F) Not expected or regarded as likely to happen

15. value
Answer: (M) The importance, worth, or usefulness of something
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What was the name of the annual event in Rainbowland?
Answer: (c) Carnival of Colors

2. What was the highlight of the carnival?
Answer: (d) The Great Color Parade

3. What happened to Timmy’s costume on the way to the carnival?
Answer: (b) It was blown away by the wind

4. What did Polly, the mischievous parrot, do with Timmy’s costume?
Answer: (c) She hid it

5. How did the villagers find Timmy’s hidden feathers?
Answer: (d) They followed Polly, the parrot

6. What did the villagers do when they found Timmy’s feathers?
Answer: (a) They helped him reassemble the costume

7. Why did the judges award Timmy the special prize?
Answer: (b) For his resilience and the spirit of community he displayed

8. What did Timmy learn from his experience at the carnival?
Answer: (a) The value of community and resilience
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The Great Color Parade is the highlight of the carnival. (Answer: True)
2. Timmy, an elderly man with a passion for art, loses his costume on the way to the carnival grounds. (Answer: False)
3. The carnival is the most anticipated event of the year in Rainbowland. (Answer: True)
4. Polly, a well-behaved parrot, hides Timmy’s costume as a prank. (Answer: False)
5. The villagers scatter to hinder Timmy from reassembling his costume. (Answer: False)
6. The carnival is believed to bring bad luck and sadness for the entire year. (Answer: False)
7. Timmy wins a special prize for his resilience and the spirit of community he displayed. (Answer: True)
8. The annual Carnival of Colors takes place in a small village called Rainbowland. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 4 stories?

The Land of Flying Pancakes

In the magical land of Pancakeland, a brave girl named Lily embarks on a quest to find the legendary Pancake Mountain and teaches the importance of sharing and gratitude.

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

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.

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