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 Day the Donuts Danced

A small town bakery becomes famous when its donuts come to life and dance.

Try this story at a different level?

 

Once upon a time in a small town, there was a little bakery called Sweet Delights. The bakery was known for its delicious cakes, muffins, and especially their mouthwatering donuts. Every day, people from all over town would gather at Sweet Delights to enjoy their favorite treats. But little did they know, something extraordinary was about to happen.

One sunny morning, the bakery owner, Mr. Baker, received a mysterious package on his doorstep. Curious, he opened it to find a note that read, “Sprinkle some magic sugar on your donuts, and watch them come to life!” Mr. Baker couldn’t believe his eyes; it must be some kind of joke. Nevertheless, he decided to give it a try and sprinkled the magic sugar over a tray of freshly baked donuts.

To his astonishment, as soon as the sugar touched the warm donuts, they began wiggling and jiggling. The donuts sprouted tiny arms and legs, and suddenly, they were dancing all around the bakery! The customers, who were just about to take their first bites, dropped their jaws in amazement. The donuts were tap dancing, pirouetting, and even performing somersaults!

The town soon caught wind of the dancing donuts, and people flocked to Sweet Delights to witness the spectacle. News spread like wildfire, and soon, donut enthusiasts from neighboring towns were making the journey to see the extraordinary donuts. The bakery turned into a full-blown theater, with people cheering and clapping as the donuts performed their colorful dance routines.

Days turned into weeks, and Sweet Delights became the talk of the country. However, fame and fortune never changed Mr. Baker. He reminded himself that it was the love and care put into creating his treats that made them so special. With the dancing donuts, he taught everyone about the importance of sharing joy and spreading happiness.

One evening, as the donuts were twirling gracefully, twinkle-eyed children started joining in the dance. The donuts choreographed a joyful routine that left everyone in awe. It was a magical sight that warmed not only their hearts but also reminded them of their own inner child. Mr. Baker realized that the dancing donuts were not just delicious treats but also a symbol of togetherness and the joy of simple pleasures.

As the story goes, the dancing donuts eventually retired, but they left behind a legacy of laughter, smiles, and lasting memories for the townspeople. Sweet Delights continued to flourish, with people always cherishing the magical moment when the donuts came to life. And in the spirit of the dancing donuts, the people of the town vowed to fill their lives with happiness and sprinkle love wherever they went, just like the magic sugar that made the donuts dance.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

1extraordinaryBeyond what is usual, ordinary, or regular
2mysteriousDifficult to understand, explain, or identify
3astonishmentGreat surprise or amazement
4wigglingMoving with short, quick movements from side to side or up and down
5pirouettingPerforming a ballet spin or whirl
6spectacleAn event or scene regarded in terms of its visual impact
7enthusiastsPeople with a strong interest in or admiration for a particular activity or subject
8neighboringSituated or existing nearby or adjacent
9fortuneA large amount of wealth or success
10choreographedPlanned or arranged in a sequence of movements or steps
11twirlingSpinning around quickly
12magicalPossessing qualities of enchantment or special charm
13togethernessThe state of being close or working together with others
14legacySomething handed down from an ancestor or a predecessor or from the past
15cherishTo hold dear and feel affection for

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What was the name of the bakery in the story?
2. What did Mr. Baker find in the mysterious package?
3. How did the donuts react when Mr. Baker sprinkled the magic sugar on them?
4. How did the customers at Sweet Delights react to the dancing donuts?
5. How did the news of the dancing donuts spread?
6. What did Mr. Baker believe made his treats special?
7. Who joined in the dance with the donuts one evening?
8. What did the dancing donuts symbolize to Mr. Baker and the townspeople?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time in a small town, there was a (1)______ bakery called Sweet Delights. The bakery was known for its (2)______ cakes, muffins, and especially their mouthwatering donuts. Every day, people from all over town would (3)______ at Sweet Delights to enjoy their favorite treats. But little did they know, something extraordinary was about to happen.

One sunny morning, the bakery owner, Mr. Baker, received a mysterious package on his doorstep. Curious, he opened it to find a note that read, “Sprinkle some magic sugar on your donuts, and watch them come to life!” Mr. Baker couldn’t (4)______ his eyes; it must be some kind of joke. Nevertheless, he decided to give it a try and sprinkled the magic sugar over a tray of freshly (5)______ donuts.

To his astonishment, as soon as the sugar touched the warm donuts, they began wiggling and jiggling. The donuts sprouted tiny arms and legs, and suddenly, they were dancing all around the bakery! The customers, who were just about to take their first bites, dropped their jaws in amazement. The donuts were tap dancing, pirouetting, and even performing somersaults!

The town soon caught wind of the dancing donuts, and people (6)______ to (7)______ Delights to witness the spectacle. News (8)______ like wildfire, and soon, donut enthusiasts from neighboring towns were making the journey to see the extraordinary donuts. The bakery turned into a full-blown theater, with people cheering and clapping as the donuts performed their colorful (9)______ routines.

Days turned into weeks, and Sweet Delights became the talk of the country. However, fame and fortune never changed Mr. Baker. He reminded himself that it was the love and care put into creating his treats that made them so (10)______. With the dancing donuts, he taught everyone about the importance of sharing joy and spreading happiness.

One (11)______, as the donuts were twirling gracefully, twinkle-eyed children started (12)______ in the dance. The donuts choreographed a joyful routine that left everyone in awe. It was a magical sight that warmed not only their hearts but also reminded them of their own inner child. Mr. Baker realized that the dancing donuts were not just delicious treats but also a (13)______ of togetherness and the joy of simple pleasures.

As the story goes, the dancing donuts eventually retired, but they left behind a legacy of laughter, smiles, and lasting memories for the townspeople. Sweet Delights (14)______ to flourish, with people always cherishing the magical (15)______ when the donuts came to life. And in the spirit of the dancing donuts, the people of the town vowed to fill their (16)______ with happiness and sprinkle love wherever they went, just like the magic sugar that made the donuts dance.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your favorite treat from a bakery? Why?
2. How would you feel if you received a mysterious package with a note like Mr. Baker did? Why?
3. Do you think it’s important for food to bring joy and happiness? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever witnessed something extraordinary or magical? Can you share your experience?
5. How do you think the townspeople felt when they saw the donuts come to life? Why?
6. Do you believe that simple pleasures can bring lasting memories? Why or why not?
7. Have you ever been to a bakery that was known for something special? What was it and how did it make you feel?
8. How would you react if you saw donuts dancing and performing in a bakery? Why?
9. Do you think it’s important for people to share joy and spread happiness? Why or why not?
10. How do you think the dancing donuts brought the town together? Why?
11. What do you think the legacy of the dancing donuts represents? Why?
12. Do you think it’s possible for food to have a deeper meaning beyond just being delicious? Why or why not?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. extraordinary
2. mysterious
3. astonishment
4. wiggling
5. pirouetting
6. spectacle
7. enthusiasts
8. neighboring
9. fortune
10. choreographed
11. twirling
12. magical
13. togetherness
14. legacy
15. cherish

Meanings:
(A) An event or scene regarded in terms of its visual impact
(B) Possessing qualities of enchantment or special charm
(C) The state of being close or working together with others
(D) Performing a ballet spin or whirl
(E) To hold dear and feel affection for
(F) Planned or arranged in a sequence of movements or steps
(G) Great surprise or amazement
(H) Spinning around quickly
(I) Difficult to understand, explain, or identify
(J) Beyond what is usual, ordinary, or regular
(K) A large amount of wealth or success
(L) Something handed down from an ancestor or a predecessor or from the past
(M) People with a strong interest in or admiration for a particular activity or subject
(N) Situated or existing nearby or adjacent
(O) Moving with short, quick movements from side to side or up and down
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What was the name of the bakery in the story?
(a) Sugar Sprinkles
(b) Magic Treats
(c) Delightful Donuts
(d) Sweet Delights

2. What did the mysterious package contain?
(a) A note from Mr. Baker
(b) Freshly baked donuts
(c) A joke
(d) Magic sugar

3. What happened when Mr. Baker sprinkled the magic sugar on the donuts?
(a) They turned into different flavors
(b) They disappeared
(c) They came to life and started dancing
(d) They became stale

4. How did the townspeople react when they saw the dancing donuts?
(a) They were amazed and gathered at the bakery
(b) They were scared and ran away
(c) They didn’t believe it and ignored it
(d) They were angry and demanded an explanation

5. What did the dancing donuts teach people?
(a) The importance of sharing joy and spreading happiness
(b) The art of baking delicious treats
(c) How to become professional dancers
(d) The history of donuts

6. How did the donuts retire?
(a) They were eaten by the townspeople
(b) They stopped dancing
(c) They moved to a different bakery
(d) They went on a vacation

7. What did the people of the town vow to do after the dancing donuts retired?
(a) Stop eating donuts altogether
(b) Open their own bakeries
(c) Fill their lives with happiness and sprinkle love wherever they went
(d) Forget about the magical moment

8. What did the dancing donuts symbolize?
(a) The power of magic sugar
(b) Togetherness and the joy of simple pleasures
(c) The importance of eating donuts every day
(d) The need for more bakeries in town

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The news of the dancing donuts spreads quickly, attracting people from neighboring towns.
2. The bakery is known for its cakes, muffins, and donuts.
3. The donuts in the story do not sprout arms and legs and start dancing.
4. The bakery in the story is called Sweet Delights.
5. The package contains regular sugar that cannot make the donuts come to life.
6. Mr. Baker is boastful and discourages others about the importance of spreading joy.
7. The dancing donuts eventually retire, but leave behind a legacy of laughter and happiness.
8. The bakery owner, Mr. Baker, ignores a mysterious package.
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 name of the bakery in the story?
The name of the bakery was Sweet Delights.

2. What did Mr. Baker find in the mysterious package?
Mr. Baker found a note in the mysterious package.

3. How did the donuts react when Mr. Baker sprinkled the magic sugar on them?
The donuts started wiggling and jiggling. They sprouted tiny arms and legs and began dancing all around the bakery.

4. How did the customers at Sweet Delights react to the dancing donuts?
The customers dropped their jaws in amazement and were in awe of the dancing donuts.

5. How did the news of the dancing donuts spread?
The news of the dancing donuts spread like wildfire, with people from neighboring towns making the journey to see the spectacle.

6. What did Mr. Baker believe made his treats special?
Mr. Baker believed that it was the love and care put into creating his treats that made them special.

7. Who joined in the dance with the donuts one evening?
Twinkle-eyed children joined in the dance with the donuts one evening.

8. What did the dancing donuts symbolize to Mr. Baker and the townspeople?
The dancing donuts symbolized togetherness, the joy of simple pleasures, and the importance of spreading happiness.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) little
(2) delicious
(3) gather
(4) believe
(5) baked
(6) flocked
(7) Sweet
(8) spread
(9) dance
(10) special
(11) evening
(12) joining
(13) symbol
(14) continued
(15) moment
(16) lives
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. extraordinary
Answer: (J) Beyond what is usual, ordinary, or regular

2. mysterious
Answer: (I) Difficult to understand, explain, or identify

3. astonishment
Answer: (G) Great surprise or amazement

4. wiggling
Answer: (O) Moving with short, quick movements from side to side or up and down

5. pirouetting
Answer: (D) Performing a ballet spin or whirl

6. spectacle
Answer: (A) An event or scene regarded in terms of its visual impact

7. enthusiasts
Answer: (M) People with a strong interest in or admiration for a particular activity or subject

8. neighboring
Answer: (N) Situated or existing nearby or adjacent

9. fortune
Answer: (K) A large amount of wealth or success

10. choreographed
Answer: (F) Planned or arranged in a sequence of movements or steps

11. twirling
Answer: (H) Spinning around quickly

12. magical
Answer: (B) Possessing qualities of enchantment or special charm

13. togetherness
Answer: (C) The state of being close or working together with others

14. legacy
Answer: (L) Something handed down from an ancestor or a predecessor or from the past

15. cherish
Answer: (E) To hold dear and feel affection for
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What was the name of the bakery in the story?
Answer: (d) Sweet Delights

2. What did the mysterious package contain?
Answer: (d) Magic sugar

3. What happened when Mr. Baker sprinkled the magic sugar on the donuts?
Answer: (c) They came to life and started dancing

4. How did the townspeople react when they saw the dancing donuts?
Answer: (a) They were amazed and gathered at the bakery

5. What did the dancing donuts teach people?
Answer: (a) The importance of sharing joy and spreading happiness

6. How did the donuts retire?
Answer: (b) They stopped dancing

7. What did the people of the town vow to do after the dancing donuts retired?
Answer: (c) Fill their lives with happiness and sprinkle love wherever they went

8. What did the dancing donuts symbolize?
Answer: (b) Togetherness and the joy of simple pleasures
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The news of the dancing donuts spreads quickly, attracting people from neighboring towns. (Answer: True)
2. The bakery is known for its cakes, muffins, and donuts. (Answer: True)
3. The donuts in the story do not sprout arms and legs and start dancing. (Answer: False)
4. The bakery in the story is called Sweet Delights. (Answer: True)
5. The package contains regular sugar that cannot make the donuts come to life. (Answer: False)
6. Mr. Baker is boastful and discourages others about the importance of spreading joy. (Answer: False)
7. The dancing donuts eventually retire, but leave behind a legacy of laughter and happiness. (Answer: True)
8. The bakery owner, Mr. Baker, ignores a mysterious package. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 4 stories?

Oliver, the tiniest elf, surprises everyone with his clever strategies and magical find at the Great Elf Games.

The Littlest Elf

Oliver, the tiniest elf, surprises everyone with his clever strategies and magical find at the Great Elf Games.

Lily conquers the Marshmallow Mountains, learns the secret recipe, and shares everlasting marshmallows with the world.

The Marshmallow Mountains

Lily conquers the Marshmallow Mountains, learns the secret recipe, and shares everlasting marshmallows with the world.

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.

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.

Four adventurous children discover a magical orchard filled with fruits that grant them extraordinary abilities.

The Orchard of Oddities

Four adventurous children discover a magical orchard filled with fruits that grant them extraordinary abilities.

Feedback