Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

Short Stories for Kids

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The Dragon’s Dream

A dragon and a squirrel team up to find an enchanted treasure, but the squirrel has a secret plan.

Try this story at a different level?

 

Once upon a time in a faraway land, there lived a dragon named Dillon. Unlike other dragons, Dillon didn’t breathe fire. Instead, he had an extraordinary ability to see the future in his dreams. Every night, he would eagerly fall asleep, hoping for visions that would lead to exciting adventures.

One night, as Dillon drifted off to sleep, he dreamt of an enchanted treasure hidden deep in a mysterious cave. The treasure was said to hold great power and could bring peace to their land. Filled with excitement, Dillon woke up determined to find this treasure and fulfill his dragon destiny.

As Dillon embarked on his journey, he soon found himself lost in a dense and perplexing forest. Suddenly, he stumbled upon a mischievous squirrel named Sam, who offered to guide him to the cave. But little did Dillon know, Sam had a secret plan of his own. As they continued, Sam led Dillon in circles, making him even more lost!

Feeling hopeless, Dillon decided to try a different approach. He patiently sat down and closed his eyes. Soon enough, a new vision appeared in his dreams. It revealed that the magical cave was just behind him! Dillon followed the dream’s guidance and found himself standing in front of the magnificent treasure cave.

Filled with anticipation, Dillon took the first step inside, only to be greeted by another dragon, Daisy. To his surprise, Daisy had also dreamt of the treasure. They quickly realized that their dreams complemented each other. United, they used their unique abilities to unlock the treasure’s power, bringing peace and happiness to their land.

The adventure taught Dillon an important lesson about trust and friendship. He learned that working together and sharing dreams can help overcome any obstacle. From that day on, Dillon and Daisy became the best of friends, embarking on many new adventures throughout the kingdom, protecting their land from any evil that threatened it.

And so, their tale of bravery, dreams, and companionship became famous in the kingdom, reminding everyone that sometimes, all you need is a little faith, a good friend, and a dragon’s dream to realize the power that lies within.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

1extraordinaryBeyond what is usual, ordinary, or regular
2enchantedMagical or charmed, often in a way that seems too perfect
3destinyA predetermined course of events often seen as something beyond human control
4perplexingConfusing or difficult to understand
5mischievousPlayfully causing trouble or acting in a deceitful manner
6anticipationThe feeling of excited expectation or waiting for something to happen
7magnificentExtremely beautiful or impressive; splendid
8complementedTo make something complete or perfect by adding to it
9uniqueBeing the only one of its kind; unlike anything else
10unlockTo open or make something accessible that was previously closed or difficult to enter
11happinessThe state of being content, joyful, and satisfied
12braveryCourageous behavior or character
13companionshipThe relationship between friends; fellowship
14faithComplete trust or confidence in someone or something
15realizeTo become aware of or come to understand something

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What was Dillon’s extraordinary ability?
2. What did Dillon dream about one night?
3. What did the treasure in the cave hold?
4. Who did Dillon meet in the forest?
5. What was Sam’s secret plan?
6. How did Dillon find the cave?
7. Who did Dillon meet inside the cave?
8. What lesson did Dillon learn from his adventure?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time in a (1)______ land, there lived a dragon named (2)______. Unlike other dragons, Dillon didn’t breathe fire. Instead, he had an extraordinary ability to see the future in his dreams. Every night, he would eagerly fall asleep, hoping for visions that would lead to exciting (3)______.

One night, as Dillon (4)______ off to sleep, he dreamt of an enchanted treasure hidden deep in a mysterious cave. The treasure was said to hold great power and could bring peace to their land. Filled with excitement, Dillon woke up determined to find this treasure and (5)______ his dragon destiny.

As Dillon (6)______ on his journey, he soon found himself lost in a dense and perplexing forest. Suddenly, he (7)______ upon a mischievous squirrel named Sam, who offered to guide him to the cave. But little did Dillon know, Sam had a secret plan of his own. As they continued, Sam led Dillon in circles, making him even more lost!

Feeling hopeless, Dillon decided to try a different approach. He patiently sat down and closed his eyes. Soon enough, a new (8)______ appeared in his dreams. It revealed that the magical cave was just behind him! Dillon followed the dream’s guidance and found himself (9)______ in front of the magnificent treasure cave.

(10)______ with anticipation, Dillon took the first step inside, only to be (11)______ by another dragon, Daisy. To his surprise, Daisy had also dreamt of the treasure. They quickly realized that their dreams complemented each other. United, they used their (12)______ abilities to unlock the treasure’s power, bringing peace and happiness to their land.

The adventure taught Dillon an important lesson about trust and friendship. He (13)______ that working together and sharing (14)______ can help overcome any obstacle. From that day on, Dillon and (15)______ became the best of friends, embarking on many new adventures throughout the kingdom, protecting their land from any evil that threatened it.

And so, their tale of bravery, dreams, and companionship became famous in the kingdom, reminding everyone that sometimes, all you need is a little (16)______, a good friend, and a dragon’s dream to realize the power that lies within.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is the significance of Dillon’s ability to see the future in his dreams?
2. How would you feel if you had the power to see the future in your dreams?
3. Do you think it’s important to have dreams and goals in life? Why or why not?
4. What do you think the message of the story is?
5. How do you think Dillon felt when he realized that Sam had been leading him in circles?
6. Have you ever felt hopeless or lost? How did you handle it?
7. Do you believe in the power of dreams? Why or why not?
8. How do you think Dillon and Daisy’s unique abilities complemented each other?
9. Have you ever had a dream that felt like it had a special meaning or message?
10. How do you think the story would have been different if Dillon had not trusted Sam?
11. Do you think it’s important to have friends who support and believe in your dreams? Why or why not?
12. Have you ever overcome an obstacle or achieved a goal with the help of a friend? Share your experience.

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. extraordinary
2. enchanted
3. destiny
4. perplexing
5. mischievous
6. anticipation
7. magnificent
8. complemented
9. unique
10. unlock
11. happiness
12. bravery
13. companionship
14. faith
15. realize

Meanings:
(A) Extremely beautiful or impressive; splendid
(B) Courageous behavior or character
(C) Beyond what is usual, ordinary, or regular
(D) Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else
(E) To open or make something accessible that was previously closed or difficult to enter
(F) The feeling of excited expectation or waiting for something to happen
(G) To make something complete or perfect by adding to it
(H) Confusing or difficult to understand
(I) Complete trust or confidence in someone or something
(J) To become aware of or come to understand something
(K) Playfully causing trouble or acting in a deceitful manner
(L) A predetermined course of events often seen as something beyond human control
(M) The relationship between friends; fellowship
(N) The state of being content, joyful, and satisfied
(O) Magical or charmed, often in a way that seems too perfect
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What was Dillon’s extraordinary ability?
(a) Breathing fire
(b) Flying
(c) Seeing the future in his dreams
(d) Swimming

2. Who did Dillon meet in the forest?
(a) Daisy the dragon
(b) Robert the rabbit
(c) Emily the elf
(d) Sam the squirrel

3. What was Sam’s secret plan?
(a) To find the treasure together
(b) To steal the treasure for himself
(c) To lead Dillon in circles
(d) To help Dillon find his way out of the forest

4. How did Dillon finally find the treasure cave?
(a) By asking for directions from a passerby
(b) By following the guidance of his dream
(c) By using a map he found in the forest
(d) By guessing and stumbling upon it

5. Who did Dillon meet inside the treasure cave?
(a) Daisy the dragon
(b) Sam the squirrel
(c) Robert the rabbit
(d) Emily the elf

6. What did Dillon and Daisy do together?
(a) Unlock the treasure’s power
(b) Fight each other for the treasure
(c) Run away from the cave
(d) Fall asleep and dream

7. What was the lesson Dillon learned from his adventure?
(a) Dreams are not to be trusted
(b) Dragons are the most powerful creatures
(c) Treasure is not worth pursuing
(d) Trust and friendship are important

8. What did Dillon and Daisy become after their adventure?
(a) Enemies
(b) Best friends
(c) Treasure hunters
(d) Dreamers

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Unbeknownst to Dillon, Sam had a secret plan to mislead him and make him more lost.
2. Dillon’s impatience and impulsiveness led him to discover that the cave was actually behind him.
3. Dillon, the dragon, lacked the ability to see the future in his dreams.
4. The treasure was believed to possess great power and could bring peace to the land.
5. Inside the cave, Dillon encountered another dragon named Daisy, who had never dreamt of the treasure.
6. Dillon and Daisy clashed over their abilities and failed to unlock the power of the treasure, causing chaos in their land.
7. Dillon encountered a mischievous squirrel named Sam, who offered to guide him to the cave.
8. Dillon’s dream revealed the existence of an enchanted treasure hidden in a cave.
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 Dillon’s extraordinary ability?
Dillon had the ability to see the future in his dreams.

2. What did Dillon dream about one night?
Dillon dreamt about an enchanted treasure hidden deep in a mysterious cave.

3. What did the treasure in the cave hold?
The treasure in the cave held great power and could bring peace to their land.

4. Who did Dillon meet in the forest?
Dillon met a mischievous squirrel named Sam in the forest.

5. What was Sam’s secret plan?
Sam’s secret plan was to lead Dillon in circles and make him even more lost in the forest.

6. How did Dillon find the cave?
Dillon found the cave by following the guidance of a new vision that appeared in his dreams.

7. Who did Dillon meet inside the cave?
Dillon met another dragon named Daisy inside the cave.

8. What lesson did Dillon learn from his adventure?
Dillon learned the importance of trust and friendship, and that working together and sharing dreams can help overcome any obstacle.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) faraway
(2) Dillon
(3) adventures
(4) drifted
(5) fulfill
(6) embarked
(7) stumbled
(8) vision
(9) standing
(10) Filled
(11) greeted
(12) unique
(13) learned
(14) dreams
(15) Daisy
(16) faith
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

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

2. enchanted
Answer: (O) Magical or charmed, often in a way that seems too perfect

3. destiny
Answer: (L) A predetermined course of events often seen as something beyond human control

4. perplexing
Answer: (H) Confusing or difficult to understand

5. mischievous
Answer: (K) Playfully causing trouble or acting in a deceitful manner

6. anticipation
Answer: (F) The feeling of excited expectation or waiting for something to happen

7. magnificent
Answer: (A) Extremely beautiful or impressive; splendid

8. complemented
Answer: (G) To make something complete or perfect by adding to it

9. unique
Answer: (D) Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else

10. unlock
Answer: (E) To open or make something accessible that was previously closed or difficult to enter

11. happiness
Answer: (N) The state of being content, joyful, and satisfied

12. bravery
Answer: (B) Courageous behavior or character

13. companionship
Answer: (M) The relationship between friends; fellowship

14. faith
Answer: (I) Complete trust or confidence in someone or something

15. realize
Answer: (J) To become aware of or come to understand something
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What was Dillon’s extraordinary ability?
Answer: (c) Seeing the future in his dreams

2. Who did Dillon meet in the forest?
Answer: (d) Sam the squirrel

3. What was Sam’s secret plan?
Answer: (c) To lead Dillon in circles

4. How did Dillon finally find the treasure cave?
Answer: (b) By following the guidance of his dream

5. Who did Dillon meet inside the treasure cave?
Answer: (a) Daisy the dragon

6. What did Dillon and Daisy do together?
Answer: (a) Unlock the treasure’s power

7. What was the lesson Dillon learned from his adventure?
Answer: (d) Trust and friendship are important

8. What did Dillon and Daisy become after their adventure?
Answer: (b) Best friends
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Unbeknownst to Dillon, Sam had a secret plan to mislead him and make him more lost. (Answer: True)
2. Dillon’s impatience and impulsiveness led him to discover that the cave was actually behind him. (Answer: False)
3. Dillon, the dragon, lacked the ability to see the future in his dreams. (Answer: False)
4. The treasure was believed to possess great power and could bring peace to the land. (Answer: True)
5. Inside the cave, Dillon encountered another dragon named Daisy, who had never dreamt of the treasure. (Answer: False)
6. Dillon and Daisy clashed over their abilities and failed to unlock the power of the treasure, causing chaos in their land. (Answer: False)
7. Dillon encountered a mischievous squirrel named Sam, who offered to guide him to the cave. (Answer: True)
8. Dillon’s dream revealed the existence of an enchanted treasure hidden in a cave. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 4 stories?

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