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 Dazzling Doughnut

A dazzling doughnut brings magic and happiness to a sleepy town, teaching the power of kindness.

Try this story at a different level?

 

Once upon a time, in a small and sleepy town called Sugarville, there was a magical bakery called Sweet Delights. The bakery was famous for its scrumptious pastries and cakes, but the star of the show was a doughnut called Mr. Sprinkles. Mr. Sprinkles was no ordinary doughnut; he had a sprinkling of magical dust that made him glitter and shine.

One sunny day, while the baker, Mrs. Jellyroll, was whipping up a batch of doughnuts, a mischievous gust of wind blew the dazzling doughnut away. Mr. Sprinkles tumbled and rolled, bouncing past fences and gardens, leaving a trail of glitter in his wake. Word spread like wildfire, and soon everyone in Sugarville was in search of the runaway doughnut.

Amongst the chaos, a young girl named Lily, known for her adventurous spirit, caught sight of the dazzling doughnut and chased after it. With each step, she could feel the magic in the air. The doughnut led her through a maze of colorful houses until it finally came to a stop in front of a lonely old man named Mr. Whiskers.

Mr. Whiskers, not one to resist the temptation of a sweet treat, picked up Mr. Sprinkles and took a big bite. Suddenly, a burst of colorful sparkles filled the air, revealing a magical woodland behind his house. Astonished, Mr. Whiskers couldn’t believe his eyes. With his newfound magic, he could bring joy and excitement to his once dull and lonely life.

Lily, realizing the magic within the dazzling doughnut, convinced Mr. Whiskers to share the magic with the rest of Sugarville. Together, they organized a grand celebration and invited all the townspeople. As each person took a bite of the magical doughnut, laughter filled the air, and people’s faces sparkled with happiness.

From that day on, the people of Sugarville understood the value of sharing and bringing joy to others. They realized that magic can be found in the simplest of things, just like a dazzling doughnut. Mrs. Jellyroll renamed her bakery “Sweet Harmony” to signify the unity and happiness that the dazzling doughnut brought to their town.

Forever grateful, Sugarville thrived as a place where people supported and celebrated each other. And every year, on the anniversary of the magical doughnut’s discovery, they held a grand parade, where children shared doughnuts and laughter, affirming the lesson that a sprinkle of kindness is all it takes to make the world a brighter place.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

1scrumptiousDelicious and mouth-watering
2mischievousPlayfully causing trouble or annoyance
3dazzlingExtremely bright, impressive, or attractive
4tumbledFell and rolled about clumsily
5fencesBarriers or enclosures that mark boundaries
6chaosComplete disorder and confusion
7adventurousWilling to take risks or to try out new methods, ideas, or experiences
8mazeA complex network of paths or passages
9astonishedGreatly surprised or amazed
10temptationA strong desire or urge to do something
11sparklesSmall flashes of light or shiny particles
12celebrationA joyful or festive event
13laughterThe sound of people chuckling or giggling
14unityThe state of being united or joined as a whole
15gratefulFeeling or expressing thanks or appreciation

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What made Mr. Sprinkles different from other doughnuts?
2. How did the people of Sugarville react when they heard about the runaway doughnut?
3. What did Lily feel as she chased after the dazzling doughnut?
4. Where did the doughnut lead Lily?
5. How did Mr. Whiskers react when he discovered the magic in the doughnut?
6. What did Lily convince Mr. Whiskers to do with the magic?
7. How did the people of Sugarville feel after taking a bite of the magical doughnut?
8. What did the people of Sugarville learn from the magical doughnut?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time, in a small and sleepy town called Sugarville, there was a magical bakery called Sweet Delights. The bakery was famous for its scrumptious (1)______ and (2)______, but the star of the show was a doughnut called Mr. Sprinkles. Mr. Sprinkles was no ordinary doughnut; he had a sprinkling of magical dust that made him (3)______ and shine.

One sunny day, while the baker, Mrs. Jellyroll, was whipping up a (4)______ of doughnuts, a mischievous gust of wind blew the dazzling doughnut away. Mr. Sprinkles tumbled and rolled, bouncing past fences and gardens, leaving a trail of glitter in his wake. Word spread like wildfire, and soon everyone in Sugarville was in search of the runaway (5)______.

Amongst the chaos, a young girl (6)______ Lily, known for her adventurous spirit, caught sight of the dazzling doughnut and chased after it. With each step, she could feel the magic in the air. The doughnut led her through a maze of colorful houses until it finally came to a stop in front of a (7)______ old man named Mr. Whiskers.

Mr. Whiskers, not one to resist the temptation of a sweet (8)______, picked up Mr. Sprinkles and took a big bite. Suddenly, a burst of colorful sparkles filled the air, revealing a (9)______al woodland behind his house. Astonished, Mr. (10)______ couldn’t believe his eyes. With his newfound magic, he could bring joy and excitement to his once dull and lonely life.

Lily, realizing the magic within the dazzling doughnut, convinced Mr. Whiskers to (11)______ the magic with the rest of Sugarville. Together, they organized a grand celebration and invited all the (12)______. As each person took a bite of the magical doughnut, laughter filled the air, and people’s faces sparkled with happiness.

From that day on, the people of Sugarville understood the value of sharing and bringing joy to others. They realized that magic can be found in the simplest of things, just like a dazzling doughnut. Mrs. Jellyroll renamed her (13)______ “Sweet Harmony” to (14)______ the unity and happiness that the dazzling doughnut brought to their town.

Forever grateful, Sugarville thrived as a place where (15)______ supported and celebrated each other. And every year, on the anniversary of the (16)______ doughnut’s discovery, they held a grand parade, where children shared doughnuts and laughter, affirming the lesson that a sprinkle of kindness is all it takes to make the world a brighter place.
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 magical doughnut in the story?
2. How would you feel if you found a magical doughnut like Mr. Sprinkles? Why?
3. Do you like stories with magical elements like this one? Why or why not?
4. Do you think the townspeople’s lives would have been different if they hadn’t found the magical doughnut? Why or why not?
5. What do you think the lesson of the story is? Why?
6. How do you think Lily felt when she discovered the magical doughnut? Why?
7. Have you ever had a magical or special experience in your life? Can you share it with us?
8. Do you think it’s important to share joy and happiness with others? Why or why not?
9. How do you think the townspeople’s lives changed after they discovered the magical doughnut? Why?
10. What would you do if you found a magical doughnut that could bring joy to others? Why?
11. Have you ever organized or been a part of a grand celebration like the one in the story? How did it make you feel?
12. Do you believe that a sprinkle of kindness can make the world a brighter place? Why or why not?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. scrumptious
2. mischievous
3. dazzling
4. tumbled
5. fences
6. chaos
7. adventurous
8. maze
9. astonished
10. temptation
11. sparkles
12. celebration
13. laughter
14. unity
15. grateful

Meanings:
(A) Complete disorder and confusion
(B) The sound of people chuckling or giggling
(C) Delicious and mouth-watering
(D) A complex network of paths or passages
(E) Feeling or expressing thanks or appreciation
(F) The state of being united or joined as a whole
(G) Willing to take risks or to try out new methods, ideas, or experiences
(H) Barriers or enclosures that mark boundaries
(I) Greatly surprised or amazed
(J) Fell and rolled about clumsily
(K) Small flashes of light or shiny particles
(L) Playfully causing trouble or annoyance
(M) Extremely bright, impressive, or attractive
(N) A strong desire or urge to do something
(O) A joyful or festive event
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the magical bakery in Sugarville?
(a) Sugarville Sweets
(b) Doughnut Delights
(c) Sweet Delights
(d) Magic Bakery

2. What is the name of the dazzling doughnut?
(a) Mr. Sprinkles
(b) Glitter Delight
(c) Sparkle Magic
(d) Sweet Dream

3. Who is the baker of Sweet Delights?
(a) Mr. Whiskers
(b) Lily
(c) Sherlock
(d) Mrs. Jellyroll

4. What did the mischievous gust of wind do to Mr. Sprinkles?
(a) Made him disappear
(b) Turned him into a cupcake
(c) Blew him away
(d) Covered him in frosting

5. Where did the doughnut lead Lily?
(a) To the magical woodland
(b) To the town square
(c) To the bakery
(d) To Mr. Whiskers’ house

6. What did Mr. Whiskers do when he found Mr. Sprinkles?
(a) Threw it away
(b) Took a big bite
(c) Shared it with Lily
(d) Put it back in the bakery

7. What did the burst of colorful sparkles reveal?
(a) A hidden treasure
(b) A magical woodland
(c) A secret recipe book
(d) A talking cat

8. What did the people of Sugarville learn from the magical doughnut?
(a) The value of sharing and bringing joy to others
(b) The importance of eating doughnuts every day
(c) The secret to baking delicious pastries
(d) The power of magic in everyday life

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The magical bakery in Sugarville is called Sour Disappointments.
2. The people of Sugarville learn the value of sharing and bringing joy to others through the magical doughnut.
3. The star of the bakery is a doughnut named Mr. Sprinkles.
4. Lily, a young girl known for her adventurous spirit, chases after the runaway doughnut.
5. The doughnut leads Lily to a joyful young woman named Mr. Whiskers.
6. A gentle gust of wind blows Mr. Sprinkles away from the bakery.
7. Mr. Whiskers takes a bite of the doughnut and discovers a magical woodland behind his house.
8. Mr. Sprinkles has a sprinkling of ordinary dust that makes him dull and fade.
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 made Mr. Sprinkles different from other doughnuts?
Mr. Sprinkles had a sprinkling of magical dust that made him glitter and shine.

2. How did the people of Sugarville react when they heard about the runaway doughnut?
The people of Sugarville became excited and started searching for the runaway doughnut.

3. What did Lily feel as she chased after the dazzling doughnut?
Lily felt the magic in the air as she chased after the dazzling doughnut.

4. Where did the doughnut lead Lily?
The doughnut led Lily to a lonely old man named Mr. Whiskers.

5. How did Mr. Whiskers react when he discovered the magic in the doughnut?
Mr. Whiskers was astonished and couldn’t believe his eyes when he discovered the magic in the doughnut.

6. What did Lily convince Mr. Whiskers to do with the magic?
Lily convinced Mr. Whiskers to share the magic with the rest of Sugarville.

7. How did the people of Sugarville feel after taking a bite of the magical doughnut?
The people of Sugarville felt joyful and their faces sparkled with happiness after taking a bite of the magical doughnut.

8. What did the people of Sugarville learn from the magical doughnut?
The people of Sugarville learned the value of sharing and bringing joy to others. They realized that magic can be found in the simplest of things and that a sprinkle of kindness is all it takes to make the world a brighter place.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) pastries
(2) cakes
(3) glitter
(4) batch
(5) doughnut
(6) named
(7) lonely
(8) treat
(9) magic
(10) Whiskers
(11) share
(12) townspeople
(13) bakery
(14) signify
(15) people
(16) magical
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. scrumptious
Answer: (C) Delicious and mouth-watering

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

3. dazzling
Answer: (M) Extremely bright, impressive, or attractive

4. tumbled
Answer: (J) Fell and rolled about clumsily

5. fences
Answer: (H) Barriers or enclosures that mark boundaries

6. chaos
Answer: (A) Complete disorder and confusion

7. adventurous
Answer: (G) Willing to take risks or to try out new methods, ideas, or experiences

8. maze
Answer: (D) A complex network of paths or passages

9. astonished
Answer: (I) Greatly surprised or amazed

10. temptation
Answer: (N) A strong desire or urge to do something

11. sparkles
Answer: (K) Small flashes of light or shiny particles

12. celebration
Answer: (O) A joyful or festive event

13. laughter
Answer: (B) The sound of people chuckling or giggling

14. unity
Answer: (F) The state of being united or joined as a whole

15. grateful
Answer: (E) Feeling or expressing thanks or appreciation
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the magical bakery in Sugarville?
Answer: (c) Sweet Delights

2. What is the name of the dazzling doughnut?
Answer: (a) Mr. Sprinkles

3. Who is the baker of Sweet Delights?
Answer: (d) Mrs. Jellyroll

4. What did the mischievous gust of wind do to Mr. Sprinkles?
Answer: (c) Blew him away

5. Where did the doughnut lead Lily?
Answer: (d) To Mr. Whiskers’ house

6. What did Mr. Whiskers do when he found Mr. Sprinkles?
Answer: (b) Took a big bite

7. What did the burst of colorful sparkles reveal?
Answer: (b) A magical woodland

8. What did the people of Sugarville learn from the magical doughnut?
Answer: (a) The value of sharing and bringing joy to others
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The magical bakery in Sugarville is called Sour Disappointments. (Answer: False)
2. The people of Sugarville learn the value of sharing and bringing joy to others through the magical doughnut. (Answer: True)
3. The star of the bakery is a doughnut named Mr. Sprinkles. (Answer: True)
4. Lily, a young girl known for her adventurous spirit, chases after the runaway doughnut. (Answer: True)
5. The doughnut leads Lily to a joyful young woman named Mr. Whiskers. (Answer: False)
6. A gentle gust of wind blows Mr. Sprinkles away from the bakery. (Answer: False)
7. Mr. Whiskers takes a bite of the doughnut and discovers a magical woodland behind his house. (Answer: True)
8. Mr. Sprinkles has a sprinkling of ordinary dust that makes him dull and fade. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 4 stories?

Three friends stumble upon a magical peach palace filled with talking animals and enchanted treasures, unlocking their own creativity and joy.

The Peculiar Peach Palace

Three friends stumble upon a magical peach palace filled with talking animals and enchanted treasures, unlocking their own creativity and joy.

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

The Jelly Bean Tree

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

The Friendly Dragon

A friendly dragon named Fred defies stereotypes and spreads kindness, changing perceptions one act at a time.

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.

Feedback