Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

Short Stories for Kids

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The Jelly Bean Tree

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

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Once upon a time, in a fantastical land, there was a little girl named Mia who loved sweets more than anything in the world. She was always on the lookout for new and delicious treats to try. One day, as Mia was exploring the enchanted forest near her home, she stumbled upon a magnificent tree unlike any she had ever seen before – a Jelly Bean Tree! Each branch bore colorful jelly beans of all flavors and sizes, sparkling under the sun. Mia’s eyes grew wide with amazement. She had to get her hands on those tasty treasures.

Without any hesitation, Mia reached up to pluck one of the jelly beans from the tree, but as soon as she touched it, something extraordinary happened. The tree shook violently, and Mia found herself being lifted off the ground. In a dizzying whirlwind, the tree transformed into a massive creature with a beaming smile. “Hello, little one,” the Jelly Bean Tree spoke with a booming voice. “You have awakened me from a long slumber. Since you touched my jelly beans, you shall embark on an adventure like no other!”

Mia’s heart raced with excitement as she held tight to one of the jelly beans for stability. The Jelly Bean Tree transformed into a magical carriage, with branches curling into wheels and vines for reins. “Hop on, Mia!” it exclaimed. “We shall travel through the Candy Kingdom, but beware, there are challenges along the way!” With a flick of its branches, the carriage leaped into motion, gliding through the candy cane forest and the licorice swamps.

Mia’s journey was filled with unexpected twists and turns. She encountered tricky gummy bears and mischievous cotton candy clouds that showered her with sticky sweetness. She laughed and squealed with joy as she tasted candies she had never even dreamt of. But the sweetest surprise awaited her at the end – the Jelly Bean Castle, where the ruler of the Candy Kingdom awaited them. The king, an enormous chocolate bar, greeted Mia with a warm smile and thanked her for bringing joy to the Jelly Bean Tree.

As Mia departed the Candy Kingdom, she understood the message embedded in her whimsical adventure. The Jelly Bean Tree taught her that life can be full of delightful surprises, just like the unexpected journey she had taken. It reminded her that sharing joy and laughter with others brings happiness that is sweeter than any candy. And so, with a grateful heart, Mia returned home, forever cherishing the memories of her extraordinary encounter with the Jelly Bean Tree and the valuable lesson it had taught her.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

1fantasticalImaginary and having a magical quality or feel
2magnificentExtremely beautiful or impressive, especially in a grand way
3amazementA feeling of great surprise or wonder
4extraordinaryBeyond what is usual, regular, or established
5violentlyWith great force or in a fierce manner
6dizzyingCausing a feeling of spinning and loss of balance
7embarkTo begin a journey or venture
8reinsStraps used to control and guide a horse or other animal
9glidingMoving in a smooth, effortless, or continuous way
10encounteredCame across or met, especially unexpectedly
11mischievousPlayfully causing minor trouble or annoyance
12squealedMade a high-pitched sound, typically to express excitement or delight
13whimsicalPlayful or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way
14embeddedPlaced firmly within something else
15cherishingHolding dear and feeling gratitude for something

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What did Mia love more than anything in the world?
2. What did Mia stumble upon in the enchanted forest?
3. What happened when Mia touched one of the jelly beans from the tree?
4. How did the Jelly Bean Tree transform after Mia touched it?
5. What did the Jelly Bean Tree transform into?
6. What were some of the challenges Mia encountered on her journey through the Candy Kingdom?
7. Who greeted Mia at the Jelly Bean Castle?
8. What lesson did Mia learn from her encounter with the Jelly Bean Tree?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time, in a fantastical land, there was a little girl named Mia who loved sweets more than anything in the world. She was always on the (1)______ for new and (2)______ treats to try. One day, as Mia was exploring the enchanted forest near her home, she (3)______ upon a magnificent tree unlike any she had ever seen before – a Jelly Bean Tree! Each branch bore colorful jelly beans of all flavors and sizes, sparkling under the sun. Mia’s eyes grew wide with amazement. She had to get her hands on those tasty (4)______.

Without any hesitation, Mia reached up to pluck one of the jelly beans from the tree, but as soon as she (5)______ it, something extraordinary (6)______. The tree shook violently, and Mia found herself being lifted off the ground. In a dizzying whirlwind, the tree transformed into a massive (7)______ with a beaming smile. “Hello, little one,” the Jelly Bean Tree spoke with a booming voice. “You have awakened me from a long slumber. Since you touched my (8)______ beans, you shall embark on an adventure like no other!”

Mia’s heart raced with excitement as she held tight to one of the jelly beans for stability. The Jelly Bean Tree transformed into a magical carriage, with branches curling into wheels and vines for reins. “Hop on, Mia!” it exclaimed. “We shall travel through the Candy Kingdom, but beware, there are challenges along the way!” With a flick of its branches, the carriage (9)______ into motion, (10)______ through the candy cane forest and the licorice swamps.

Mia’s journey was filled with (11)______ twists and turns. She encountered tricky gummy bears and mischievous cotton candy clouds that showered her with sticky sweetness. She laughed and squealed with joy as she tasted candies she had never even dreamt of. But the sweetest surprise awaited her at the end – the Jelly Bean (12)______, where the ruler of the Candy Kingdom awaited them. The king, an enormous chocolate bar, greeted Mia with a warm smile and thanked her for (13)______ joy to the (14)______ Bean Tree.

As Mia departed the Candy Kingdom, she understood the message embedded in her whimsical adventure. The Jelly Bean Tree taught her that life can be full of (15)______ surprises, just like the unexpected journey she had taken. It reminded her that sharing joy and laughter with others brings happiness that is sweeter than any candy. And so, with a grateful heart, Mia returned home, forever cherishing the (16)______ of her extraordinary encounter with the Jelly Bean Tree and the valuable lesson it had taught her.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your favorite type of sweet or candy?
2. How would you feel if you discovered a magical tree that turned into a carriage?
3. Do you think it’s important to try new and different types of food? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever had an unexpected adventure or experience? Can you tell us about it?
5. What is something that brings you joy and laughter?
6. How do you think Mia felt when she tasted candies she had never even dreamt of?
7. Do you think it’s important to share joy and happiness with others? Why or why not?
8. What is a valuable lesson that you have learned from a personal experience?
9. How do you think Mia’s life changed after her encounter with the Jelly Bean Tree?
10. Do you believe in magical or fantastical creatures? Why or why not?
11. What is something that you cherish and hold dear to your heart?
12. If you could have any magical power, what would it be and why?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. fantastical
2. magnificent
3. amazement
4. extraordinary
5. violently
6. dizzying
7. embark
8. reins
9. gliding
10. encountered
11. mischievous
12. squealed
13. whimsical
14. embedded
15. cherishing

Meanings:
(A) To begin a journey or venture
(B) Imaginary and having a magical quality or feel
(C) A feeling of great surprise or wonder
(D) Extremely beautiful or impressive, especially in a grand way
(E) Made a high-pitched sound, typically to express excitement or delight
(F) Playful or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way
(G) With great force or in a fierce manner
(H) Placed firmly within something else
(I) Causing a feeling of spinning and loss of balance
(J) Beyond what is usual, regular, or established
(K) Holding dear and feeling gratitude for something
(L) Playfully causing minor trouble or annoyance
(M) Came across or met, especially unexpectedly
(N) Straps used to control and guide a horse or other animal
(O) Moving in a smooth, effortless, or continuous way
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What did Mia love more than anything in the world?
(a) Books
(b) Animals
(c) Sweets
(d) Sports

2. What did Mia find in the enchanted forest?
(a) A Chocolate Fountain
(b) A Jelly Bean Tree
(c) A Magic Wand
(d) A Treasure Chest

3. What happened when Mia touched one of the jelly beans?
(a) Mia turned into a jelly bean
(b) Mia was transported to another world
(c) The jelly bean disappeared
(d) The tree transformed into a creature

4. What did the Jelly Bean Tree transform into?
(a) A flying carpet
(b) A magical carriage
(c) A giant lollipop
(d) A talking animal

5. What did Mia encounter in the Candy Kingdom?
(a) Friendly unicorns and fluffy marshmallow bunnies
(b) Sour lemon drops and spicy cinnamon candies
(c) Crunchy chocolate bars and chewy caramel squares
(d) Tricky gummy bears and mischievous cotton candy clouds

6. Who greeted Mia at the Jelly Bean Castle?
(a) The ruler of the Candy Kingdom, an enormous chocolate bar
(b) The queen of the Candy Kingdom, a giant lollipop
(c) The prince of the Candy Kingdom, a talking animal
(d) The princess of the Candy Kingdom, a magical fairy

7. What lesson did Mia learn from her adventure?
(a) Sharing joy and laughter brings happiness
(b) Sweets are the most important thing in life
(c) Adventures are dangerous and should be avoided
(d) Jelly beans are the key to unlocking magic

8. How did Mia feel as she returned home?
(a) Sad and longing for more sweets
(b) Anxious and worried about the Jelly Bean Tree
(c) Grateful and cherishing the memories of her adventure
(d) Excited and ready for her next adventure

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Mia faces no challenges and surprises on her journey through the Candy Kingdom.
2. Mia does not learn any lesson about sharing joy and laughter.
3. The Jelly Bean Tree speaks to Mia and tells her she will embark on an adventure.
4. Mia accidentally finds a Jelly Bean Tree in the enchanted forest.
5. Mia is a little girl who loves sweets.
6. Mia reaches the Jelly Bean Castle and meets the ruler, an enormous chocolate bar.
7. The Jelly Bean Tree transforms into a magical carriage for Mia to ride in.
8. When Mia touches the jelly bean, the tree remains the same.
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 Mia love more than anything in the world?
Sweets or candies.

2. What did Mia stumble upon in the enchanted forest?
A Jelly Bean Tree.

3. What happened when Mia touched one of the jelly beans from the tree?
The tree transformed into a massive creature and Mia was lifted off the ground.

4. How did the Jelly Bean Tree transform after Mia touched it?
It transformed into a magical carriage.

5. What did the Jelly Bean Tree transform into?
A magical carriage with branches as wheels and vines as reins.

6. What were some of the challenges Mia encountered on her journey through the Candy Kingdom?
Tricky gummy bears and mischievous cotton candy clouds.

7. Who greeted Mia at the Jelly Bean Castle?
The ruler of the Candy Kingdom, an enormous chocolate bar.

8. What lesson did Mia learn from her encounter with the Jelly Bean Tree?
That life can be full of delightful surprises and sharing joy brings happiness.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) lookout
(2) delicious
(3) stumbled
(4) treasures
(5) touched
(6) happened
(7) creature
(8) jelly
(9) leaped
(10) gliding
(11) unexpected
(12) Castle
(13) bringing
(14) Jelly
(15) delightful
(16) memories
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. fantastical
Answer: (B) Imaginary and having a magical quality or feel

2. magnificent
Answer: (D) Extremely beautiful or impressive, especially in a grand way

3. amazement
Answer: (C) A feeling of great surprise or wonder

4. extraordinary
Answer: (J) Beyond what is usual, regular, or established

5. violently
Answer: (G) With great force or in a fierce manner

6. dizzying
Answer: (I) Causing a feeling of spinning and loss of balance

7. embark
Answer: (A) To begin a journey or venture

8. reins
Answer: (N) Straps used to control and guide a horse or other animal

9. gliding
Answer: (O) Moving in a smooth, effortless, or continuous way

10. encountered
Answer: (M) Came across or met, especially unexpectedly

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

12. squealed
Answer: (E) Made a high-pitched sound, typically to express excitement or delight

13. whimsical
Answer: (F) Playful or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way

14. embedded
Answer: (H) Placed firmly within something else

15. cherishing
Answer: (K) Holding dear and feeling gratitude for something
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What did Mia love more than anything in the world?
Answer: (c) Sweets

2. What did Mia find in the enchanted forest?
Answer: (b) A Jelly Bean Tree

3. What happened when Mia touched one of the jelly beans?
Answer: (d) The tree transformed into a creature

4. What did the Jelly Bean Tree transform into?
Answer: (b) A magical carriage

5. What did Mia encounter in the Candy Kingdom?
Answer: (d) Tricky gummy bears and mischievous cotton candy clouds

6. Who greeted Mia at the Jelly Bean Castle?
Answer: (a) The ruler of the Candy Kingdom, an enormous chocolate bar

7. What lesson did Mia learn from her adventure?
Answer: (a) Sharing joy and laughter brings happiness

8. How did Mia feel as she returned home?
Answer: (c) Grateful and cherishing the memories of her adventure
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Mia faces no challenges and surprises on her journey through the Candy Kingdom. (Answer: False)
2. Mia does not learn any lesson about sharing joy and laughter. (Answer: False)
3. The Jelly Bean Tree speaks to Mia and tells her she will embark on an adventure. (Answer: True)
4. Mia accidentally finds a Jelly Bean Tree in the enchanted forest. (Answer: False)
5. Mia is a little girl who loves sweets. (Answer: True)
6. Mia reaches the Jelly Bean Castle and meets the ruler, an enormous chocolate bar. (Answer: True)
7. The Jelly Bean Tree transforms into a magical carriage for Mia to ride in. (Answer: True)
8. When Mia touches the jelly bean, the tree remains the same. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 4 stories?

Penelope, the brave pirate princess, embarks on daring adventures, outsmarting sea monsters, cunning pirates, and even making a wish with a magical Golden Mermaid.

The Pirate Princess

Penelope, the brave pirate princess, embarks on daring adventures, outsmarting sea monsters, cunning pirates, and even making a wish with a magical Golden Mermaid.

A mischievous squirrel named Benny embarks on an unexpected journey after stealing a tangerine.

The Tangerine Thief

A mischievous squirrel named Benny embarks on an unexpected journey after stealing a tangerine.

In a small village nestled deep in a magical forest, a little girl named Lily discovers a talking teapot with the power to grant wishes.

The Talking Teapot

In a small village nestled deep in a magical forest, a little girl named Lily discovers a talking teapot with the power to grant wishes.

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