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 Daring Dragonfly

Dara the daring dragonfly embarks on a quest, only to discover that the true treasure is within.

Try this story at a different level?

 

Once upon a time, in a magical forest, there lived a daring dragonfly named Dara. Dara was no ordinary dragonfly. She was bold, adventurous, and loved to explore. One day, as she zoomed through the forest, she stumbled upon a secret map hidden inside a hollow tree trunk. Curiosity piqued, Dara’s heart fluttered with excitement, and she decided to embark on a daring quest to uncover the treasures indicated on the map.

Before she set off, Dara buzzed over to her friend Oscar, the wise old owl, for guidance. Oscar squinted at the map and advised, “To reach the first treasure, you must fly through a narrow, winding canyon inhabited by sneaky spiders. Beware, for they are known to spin sticky webs and trap unsuspecting insects!” Undeterred, Dara thanked Oscar and swooped into action.

As she flew through the canyon, Dara skillfully dodged the spiders’ webs. Suddenly, a gust of wind blew her off course, and she found herself surrounded by a swarm of buzzing bees. Thinking quickly, she zigzagged through the air, performing daring mid-air acrobatics that left the bees dizzy and disoriented. With a triumphant smile, Dara continued on her quest.

After many thrilling adventures, Dara finally reached the spot on the map where the first treasure was hidden. To her surprise, instead of finding gold or jewels, she discovered a humble watering hole. Confused but undeterred, Dara realized there was something far more valuable at stake than material riches. She had learned the importance of perseverance, the joy of embracing challenges, and the beauty of the world around her.

With newfound wisdom, Dara decided to share her experiences with the other creatures of the forest. She taught them to embrace their own daring sides, celebrate their unique qualities, and approach every challenge as an opportunity for growth. The forest transformed into a vibrant community filled with joy, laughter, and a spirit of adventure. And from that day on, Dara, the daring dragonfly, became a beloved legend whose story inspired others to uncover their own treasures, big or small.

And so, dear friends, remember that the true treasures in life are not always material riches but the lessons learned and the joy shared. Like Dara, let us remain daring, embrace challenges with zest, and celebrate the whimsy and beauty that surround us every day.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

1magicalHaving a special, mysterious, or supernatural charm or quality
2daringHaving the courage to do something that is risky or difficult
3curiosityA strong desire to know or learn something
4piquedStimulated or excited, especially by a new or interesting fact or discovery
5embarkTo begin a journey or venture
6guidanceAdvice or information aimed at resolving a problem or difficulty
7inhabitedOccupied or lived in by people or animals
8sneakyBeing cunning or deceitful, often in a secretive manner
9unsuspectingNot aware of the potential danger or harm that may occur
10skillfullyIn a way that shows great expertise or precision
11disorientedConfused and unable to think clearly
12triumphantFeeling or expressing victory or success
13perseveranceSteadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success
14vibrantFull of energy and life; bright and colorful
15whimsyPlayful or fanciful behavior or humor

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What did Dara find inside the hollow tree trunk?
2. Who did Dara go to for guidance before starting her quest?
3. What did Oscar warn Dara about in the canyon?
4. How did Dara avoid getting trapped in the spiders’ webs?
5. What obstacle did Dara encounter after dodging the spiders’ webs?
6. How did Dara manage to confuse and disorient the bees?
7. What did Dara find at the spot indicated on the map?
8. What did Dara learn from her quest and what did she decide to do with her newfound wisdom?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time, in a magical (1)______, there lived a daring dragonfly named Dara. Dara was no ordinary dragonfly. She was bold, adventurous, and loved to explore. One day, as she zoomed through the forest, she stumbled upon a secret map hidden inside a hollow tree trunk. (2)______ piqued, Dara’s heart fluttered with excitement, and she (3)______ to embark on a daring quest to uncover the (4)______s indicated on the map.

Before she set off, Dara buzzed over to her friend Oscar, the wise old owl, for guidance. Oscar squinted at the map and advised, “To reach the first treasure, you must fly through a narrow, winding canyon inhabited by sneaky spiders. Beware, for they are known to spin sticky webs and trap unsuspecting insects!” Undeterred, Dara thanked (5)______ and swooped into action.

As she flew through the canyon, Dara skillfully (6)______ the spiders’ webs. Suddenly, a gust of wind blew her off course, and she found herself surrounded by a swarm of buzzing bees. Thinking quickly, she zigzagged through the air, performing daring mid-air acrobatics that left the bees (7)______ and (8)______. With a triumphant smile, Dara continued on her quest.

After many thrilling adventures, Dara finally reached the spot on the map where the first treasure was hidden. To her surprise, instead of finding gold or jewels, she discovered a (9)______ watering hole. Confused but (10)______, Dara realized there was something far more valuable at stake than material (11)______. She had learned the importance of perseverance, the joy of embracing challenges, and the beauty of the world around her.

With newfound (12)______, Dara decided to share her experiences with the other creatures of the forest. She taught them to embrace their own daring sides, celebrate their unique qualities, and approach every challenge as an opportunity for growth. The forest transformed into a vibrant community (13)______ with joy, (14)______, and a spirit of adventure. And from that day on, Dara, the daring dragonfly, became a (15)______ legend whose story inspired others to uncover their own treasures, big or small.

And so, dear friends, remember that the true treasures in life are not always material riches but the lessons (16)______ and the joy shared. Like Dara, let us remain daring, embrace challenges with zest, and celebrate the whimsy and beauty that surround us every day.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What qualities do you think make someone bold and adventurous?
2. How do you feel when you discover something unexpected?
3. Have you ever had a mentor or wise friend like Oscar? How did they help you?
4. What challenges have you faced in your life that required quick thinking and problem-solving skills?
5. Do you think it’s important to have a sense of humor when facing challenges? Why or why not?
6. How do you define perseverance? Can you think of a time when you had to persevere through a difficult situation?
7. What do you think Dara means when she says there is something more valuable at stake than material riches? Do you agree?
8. Have you ever learned an important life lesson from an unexpected source? Can you share your experience?
9. How do you think the forest community changed after Dara shared her experiences? Can you think of a time when you inspired others?
10. Do you agree with the idea that the true treasures in life are not material riches? Why or why not?
11. How do you personally embrace challenges and approach them as opportunities for growth?
12. What whimsical and beautiful things do you notice in your everyday life?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. magical
2. daring
3. curiosity
4. piqued
5. embark
6. guidance
7. inhabited
8. sneaky
9. unsuspecting
10. skillfully
11. disoriented
12. triumphant
13. perseverance
14. vibrant
15. whimsy

Meanings:
(A) A strong desire to know or learn something
(B) Stimulated or excited, especially by a new or interesting fact or discovery
(C) In a way that shows great expertise or precision
(D) Playful or fanciful behavior or humor
(E) Full of energy and life; bright and colorful
(F) Feeling or expressing victory or success
(G) Not aware of the potential danger or harm that may occur
(H) Confused and unable to think clearly
(I) Advice or information aimed at resolving a problem or difficulty
(J) To begin a journey or venture
(K) Having a special, mysterious, or supernatural charm or quality
(L) Steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success
(M) Being cunning or deceitful, often in a secretive manner
(N) Having the courage to do something that is risky or difficult
(O) Occupied or lived in by people or animals
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What did Dara find inside the hollow tree trunk?
(a) Gold and jewels
(b) A watering hole
(c) Sticky spider webs
(d) A secret map

2. Who did Dara seek guidance from before embarking on her quest?
(a) Oscar the owl
(b) Sally the squirrel
(c) Max the mouse
(d) Benny the bear

3. What did Oscar warn Dara about in the narrow, winding canyon?
(a) Sneaky spiders
(b) Buzzing bees
(c) Tricky trolls
(d) Slithering snakes

4. How did Dara escape from the swarm of buzzing bees?
(a) By hiding in a hollow tree trunk
(b) By performing mid-air acrobatics
(c) By flying higher into the sky
(d) By pretending to be a flower

5. What did Dara find at the spot where the first treasure was hidden?
(a) Gold and jewels
(b) A secret passage
(c) A humble watering hole
(d) Sticky spider webs

6. What did Dara learn from her adventures?
(a) The joy of embracing challenges
(b) The beauty of the world around her
(c) All of the above
(d) The importance of perseverance

7. What did Dara decide to do after her quest?
(a) Keep the treasures for herself
(b) Fly to a different forest
(c) Share her experiences with the other creatures of the forest
(d) Forget about her adventures

8. What did the forest transform into after Dara shared her experiences?
(a) A dark and gloomy place
(b) A vibrant community filled with joy and laughter
(c) A treasure-filled paradise
(d) A quiet and peaceful sanctuary

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Oscar warned Dara about the sneaky spiders in the narrow, winding canyon.
2. Dara avoided guidance from Oscar, the wise old owl.
3. Dara discovered a humble watering hole instead of the expected treasure.
4. Dara found a public map hidden inside a hollow tree trunk.
5. Dara clumsily dodged the spiders’ webs as she flew through the canyon.
6. Dara encountered a swarm of buzzing bees but managed to outsmart them.
7. Dara’s experiences inspired the other creatures of the forest to embrace their daring sides.
8. Dara, the butterfly, lived in a mundane forest.
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 Dara find inside the hollow tree trunk?
Dara found a secret map hidden inside the hollow tree trunk.

2. Who did Dara go to for guidance before starting her quest?
Dara went to her friend Oscar, the wise old owl, for guidance before starting her quest.

3. What did Oscar warn Dara about in the canyon?
Oscar warned Dara about sneaky spiders that spin sticky webs to trap unsuspecting insects in the canyon.

4. How did Dara avoid getting trapped in the spiders’ webs?
Dara skillfully dodged the spiders’ webs as she flew through the canyon.

5. What obstacle did Dara encounter after dodging the spiders’ webs?
After dodging the spiders’ webs, Dara encountered a swarm of buzzing bees.

6. How did Dara manage to confuse and disorient the bees?
Dara managed to confuse and disorient the bees by zigzagging through the air and performing daring mid-air acrobatics.

7. What did Dara find at the spot indicated on the map?
At the spot indicated on the map, Dara found a humble watering hole instead of gold or jewels.

8. What did Dara learn from her quest and what did she decide to do with her newfound wisdom?
From her quest, Dara learned the importance of perseverance, the joy of embracing challenges, and the beauty of the world around her. With her newfound wisdom, she decided to share her experiences and inspire others to uncover their own treasures.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) forest
(2) Curiosity
(3) decided
(4) treasure
(5) Oscar
(6) dodged
(7) dizzy
(8) disoriented
(9) humble
(10) undeterred
(11) riches
(12) wisdom
(13) filled
(14) laughter
(15) beloved
(16) learned
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. magical
Answer: (K) Having a special, mysterious, or supernatural charm or quality

2. daring
Answer: (N) Having the courage to do something that is risky or difficult

3. curiosity
Answer: (A) A strong desire to know or learn something

4. piqued
Answer: (B) Stimulated or excited, especially by a new or interesting fact or discovery

5. embark
Answer: (J) To begin a journey or venture

6. guidance
Answer: (I) Advice or information aimed at resolving a problem or difficulty

7. inhabited
Answer: (O) Occupied or lived in by people or animals

8. sneaky
Answer: (M) Being cunning or deceitful, often in a secretive manner

9. unsuspecting
Answer: (G) Not aware of the potential danger or harm that may occur

10. skillfully
Answer: (C) In a way that shows great expertise or precision

11. disoriented
Answer: (H) Confused and unable to think clearly

12. triumphant
Answer: (F) Feeling or expressing victory or success

13. perseverance
Answer: (L) Steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success

14. vibrant
Answer: (E) Full of energy and life; bright and colorful

15. whimsy
Answer: (D) Playful or fanciful behavior or humor
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What did Dara find inside the hollow tree trunk?
Answer: (d) A secret map

2. Who did Dara seek guidance from before embarking on her quest?
Answer: (a) Oscar the owl

3. What did Oscar warn Dara about in the narrow, winding canyon?
Answer: (a) Sneaky spiders

4. How did Dara escape from the swarm of buzzing bees?
Answer: (b) By performing mid-air acrobatics

5. What did Dara find at the spot where the first treasure was hidden?
Answer: (c) A humble watering hole

6. What did Dara learn from her adventures?
Answer: (d) The importance of perseverance

7. What did Dara decide to do after her quest?
Answer: (c) Share her experiences with the other creatures of the forest

8. What did the forest transform into after Dara shared her experiences?
Answer: (b) A vibrant community filled with joy and laughter
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Oscar warned Dara about the sneaky spiders in the narrow, winding canyon. (Answer: True)
2. Dara avoided guidance from Oscar, the wise old owl. (Answer: False)
3. Dara discovered a humble watering hole instead of the expected treasure. (Answer: True)
4. Dara found a public map hidden inside a hollow tree trunk. (Answer: False)
5. Dara clumsily dodged the spiders’ webs as she flew through the canyon. (Answer: False)
6. Dara encountered a swarm of buzzing bees but managed to outsmart them. (Answer: True)
7. Dara’s experiences inspired the other creatures of the forest to embrace their daring sides. (Answer: True)
8. Dara, the butterfly, lived in a mundane forest. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 4 stories?

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A little girl named Mia embarks on a magical adventure through the Candy Kingdom after awakening a Jelly Bean Tree.

A jolly jellyfish named Finley gets lost in the deep sea but finds new friends along the way.

The Jolly Jellyfish

A jolly jellyfish named Finley gets lost in the deep sea but finds new friends along the way.

A mischievous penguin named Percy and a wise snow owl named Oliver form an unbreakable friendship on their journey to the legendary "Penguin Parade."

The Penguin Parade

A mischievous penguin named Percy and a wise snow owl named Oliver form an unbreakable friendship on their journey to the legendary “Penguin Parade.”

Jack and Emma's lives are forever changed when they discover a tiny dinosaur in an enormous egg.

The Dinosaur Egg

Jack and Emma’s lives are forever changed when they discover a tiny dinosaur in an enormous egg.

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