Once upon a time in a vibrant village called Whimsytown, a group of friends decided to embark on an extraordinary adventure. Freddy the brave fox, Olga the creative owl, and Benny the bumbling bear were tired of their ordinary daily lives. One sunny morning, they gathered at the foot of the magnificent Silver Hills, their eyes sparkling with curiosity. Legend had it that beyond those hills lay a world full of amazing surprises and perhaps even a treasure hidden beneath the shimmering stars.

As they began to climb the Silver Hills, a witty squirrel named Nutty scampered by, his cheeks stuffed with acorns. He paused to grin at the trio. “Are you climbing that hill to find treasure or are you just seeking trouble?” he teased, twitching his fluffy tail. “Why not turn back and enjoy a cozy nap instead?” Benny the bear giggled, “Oh, Nutty, we’re seeking treasure and adventure! Who would want to nap when there are mysterious lands awaiting us?” Nutty chuckled and decided to join them. After all, what’s an adventure without a few puns and some extra acorns?

As they crested the first hill, they found themselves in a lush meadow filled with flowers dancing in the wind. However, right at the edge of the meadow stood a gigantic, grumpy troll named Grizzlebump. With a booming voice, he declared, “Anyone who wants to pass must first answer my riddle!” The friends exchanged nervous glances, and Freddy bravely stepped forward. “Go ahead, Grizzlebump, hit us with your best riddle!” The troll smiled, exposing more moss than teeth, and asked, “What has keys but can’t open locks?”

The friends scratched their heads, but Nutty the squirrel suddenly exclaimed, “A piano! It has keys but cannot unlock anything!” The troll blinked in surprise, then burst into laughter. “Well done, clever squirrel! You may pass, but beware of the Dancing Daisies beyond!” Relieved and giggling, the friends continued their journey, only to find the Dancing Daisies overtook the meadow with their energetic twirls. The moment they approached, the flowers began to sway and spin, forcing the friends to join in an impromptu dance-off!

The hilarious dance lasted until Benny tripped over his own paws and landed face-first into a pile of daisies. The flowers giggled and encouraged everyone to keep dancing. After a while, the friends could hardly breathe from all the laughter. Finally, they managed to peel themselves away and stumbled upon a shimmering pond that reflected the stars in the middle of the day. In awe, they realized this pond was the treasure they had sought! It radiated joy and completion that filled their hearts.

As the sun began to set, the friends lay back, gazing at the glittering pond. They realized that the true treasure wasn’t gold or jewels but the joy of friendship and laughter they had shared along the way. Nutty the squirrel grinned, “Remember, no matter how far we travel, it’s the fun we have together that truly counts!” And with that, they made their way back to Whimsytown, hearts light, spirits high, and a promise to embark on even more whimsical adventures together.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What motivated Freddy, Olga, and Benny to embark on their adventure in Whimsytown?
2. How did Nutty the squirrel contribute to the group’s adventure?
3. What challenge did the friends face when they encountered Grizzlebump the troll?
4. What was the riddle posed by Grizzlebump, and who solved it?
5. Describe the experience the friends had with the Dancing Daisies.
6. What did the friends discover at the shimmering pond, and how did it make them feel?
7. According to Nutty the squirrel, what is the true treasure of their adventure?
8. How did the friends feel as they made their way back to Whimsytown after their adventure?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time in a vibrant village called Whimsytown, a group of friends decided to embark on an extraordinary adventure. Freddy the brave fox, Olga the creative owl, and Benny the bumbling bear were tired of their ordinary daily lives. One sunny morning, they gathered at the foot of the magnificent Silver Hills, their eyes sparkling with curiosity. Legend had it that beyond those hills lay a world full of amazing surprises and perhaps even a (1)______ hidden beneath the shimmering stars.

As they began to climb the Silver Hills, a witty (2)______ named Nutty scampered by, his cheeks (3)______ with acorns. He paused to grin at the trio. “Are you climbing that hill to find treasure or are you just seeking (4)______?” he teased, twitching his fluffy tail. “Why not turn back and enjoy a cozy nap instead?” Benny the bear giggled, “Oh, (5)______, we’re seeking treasure and (6)______! Who would want to nap when there are mysterious lands awaiting us?” Nutty chuckled and decided to join them. After all, what’s an adventure without a few puns and some extra acorns?

As they crested the first hill, they found themselves in a lush meadow filled with flowers dancing in the wind. However, right at the edge of the meadow stood a gigantic, (7)______ troll named Grizzlebump. With a booming voice, he declared, “Anyone who wants to pass must first answer my riddle!” The friends exchanged nervous glances, and Freddy bravely stepped forward. “Go ahead, Grizzlebump, hit us with your best riddle!” The troll smiled, exposing more moss than (8)______, and asked, “What has keys but can’t open locks?”

The friends scratched their heads, but Nutty the squirrel suddenly (9)______, “A piano! It has keys but cannot unlock anything!” The troll blinked in (10)______, then burst into laughter. “Well done, clever squirrel! You may pass, but beware of the Dancing Daisies beyond!” Relieved and giggling, the friends continued their journey, only to find the Dancing Daisies overtook the meadow with their energetic twirls. The moment they approached, the (11)______ began to sway and spin, forcing the friends to join in an impromptu dance-off!

The (12)______ dance lasted until Benny tripped over his own paws and landed face-first into a pile of daisies. The flowers giggled and encouraged everyone to keep dancing. After a while, the friends could hardly breathe from all the (13)______. Finally, they managed to peel themselves away and stumbled upon a shimmering pond that reflected the stars in the middle of the day. In awe, they realized this pond was the treasure they had sought! It radiated joy and completion that filled their hearts.

As the sun began to set, the friends lay back, (14)______ at the glittering pond. They realized that the true treasure wasn’t gold or jewels but the joy of friendship and laughter they had (15)______ along the way. Nutty the squirrel (16)______, “Remember, no matter how far we travel, it’s the fun we have together that truly counts!” And with that, they made their way back to Whimsytown, hearts light, spirits high, and a promise to embark on even more whimsical adventures together.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your definition of a true adventure?

2. How would you feel if you were faced with a riddle from a grumpy troll?

3. Do you think friendship is more valuable than material treasures? Why or why not?

4. What is a memorable adventure you have experienced with friends?

5. How do you think laughter and joy contribute to friendships?

6. Do you like to take risks in your life, similar to the characters in the story? Why or why not?

7. What is a challenge you faced that ended up being a fun experience?

8. How would you react if you encountered a magical creature like Nutty the squirrel on your journey?

9. Do you think it’s important to embrace spontaneity, like the friends did during their dance-off? Why or why not?

10. What is a place you would like to explore that you think could hold hidden treasures or surprises?

11. How would you feel if you discovered that the most valuable part of an experience was the friendships you made along the way?

12. Do you think stories like this one can inspire people to seek adventure in their own lives? Why or why not?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. embark
2. magnificent
3. shimmering
4. scampered
5. teased
6. crested
7. lush
8. gigantic
9. declared
10. riddle
11. exclaimed
12. impromptu
13. energetic
14. radiated
15. whimsical

Meanings:
(A) Moved quickly with light steps
(B) Reached the top of something
(C) Emitted or spread out from a source
(D) Extremely beautiful or impressive
(E) Extremely large in size
(F) Playfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing way
(G) Reflecting light in a sparkling way
(H) Rich and abundant in vegetation
(I) Full of energy and enthusiasm
(J) Shouted or spoke suddenly with strong emotion
(K) A puzzling question or problem to be solved
(L) Made fun of or mocked playfully
(M) Announced something in a formal or emphatic way
(N) Done without being planned or rehearsed
(O) To begin a journey or adventure
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the village where the adventure takes place?
(a) Funville
(b) Whimsytown
(c) Joyland
(d) Happy Hollow

2. Who is the brave fox in the story?
(a) Benny
(b) Nutty
(c) Freddy
(d) Grizzlebump

3. What does the troll, Grizzlebump, require the friends to do before passing?
(a) Dance for him
(b) Sing a song
(c) Answer his riddle
(d) Share their acorns

4. What is Nutty the squirrel’s special talent?
(a) Telling jokes
(b) Solving riddles
(c) Finding treasure
(d) Climbing trees

5. What does Nutty the squirrel answer to Grizzlebump’s riddle?
(a) A treasure chest
(b) A door
(c) A map
(d) A piano

6. What do the friends encounter after passing the troll?
(a) A shimmering pond
(b) A dark cave
(c) A giant waterfall
(d) A field of mushrooms

7. What do the Dancing Daisies encourage the friends to do?
(a) Dance
(b) Sing
(c) Rest
(d) Play games

8. What do the friends realize is the true treasure at the end of their adventure?
(a) Gold and jewels
(b) A magical map
(c) A pile of acorns
(d) Friendship and laughter

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The friends are demotivated to seek treasure and adventure beyond the Silver Hills.
2. The friends spectate a dance-off with the Dancing Daisies they stumble upon in a barren meadow.
3. The main characters include Freddy the fox, Olga the owl, Benny the bear, and Nutty the squirrel.
4. They encounter a jovial troll named Grizzlebump who welcomes them with a riddle.
5. The story concludes with the friends returning to Whimsytown, cherishing the memories of their adventure together.
6. Nutty the squirrel successfully answers the troll’s riddle, allowing the group to pass.
7. The murky pond they stumble upon reflects the moonlight and symbolizes the fake treasure of friendship.
8. The story takes place in a village called Whimsytown, where a group of friends embarks on an adventure.
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 motivated Freddy, Olga, and Benny to embark on their adventure in Whimsytown?
They were tired of their ordinary daily lives and sought an extraordinary adventure filled with amazing surprises and possibly treasure.

2. How did Nutty the squirrel contribute to the group’s adventure?
Nutty added humor and fun to the adventure with his witty remarks and decided to join the group, bringing along his playful spirit and extra acorns.

3. What challenge did the friends face when they encountered Grizzlebump the troll?
They had to answer a riddle posed by Grizzlebump in order to pass.

4. What was the riddle posed by Grizzlebump, and who solved it?
The riddle was, “What has keys but can’t open locks?” Nutty the squirrel solved it by answering, “A piano!”

5. Describe the experience the friends had with the Dancing Daisies.
The friends were forced to join in an impromptu dance-off with the energetic Dancing Daisies, leading to a hilarious and laughter-filled experience until Benny tripped and landed in the daisies.

6. What did the friends discover at the shimmering pond, and how did it make them feel?
They discovered that the shimmering pond was the treasure they sought, radiating joy and a sense of completion that filled their hearts.

7. According to Nutty the squirrel, what is the true treasure of their adventure?
Nutty stated that the true treasure was the joy of friendship and laughter shared along the way, rather than gold or jewels.

8. How did the friends feel as they made their way back to Whimsytown after their adventure?
They felt light-hearted and high-spirited, filled with joy from their experiences and a promise to embark on more whimsical adventures together.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) treasure
(2) squirrel
(3) stuffed
(4) trouble
(5) Nutty
(6) adventure
(7) grumpy
(8) teeth
(9) exclaimed
(10) surprise
(11) flowers
(12) hilarious
(13) laughter
(14) gazing
(15) shared
(16) grinned
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. embark
Answer: (O) To begin a journey or adventure

2. magnificent
Answer: (D) Extremely beautiful or impressive

3. shimmering
Answer: (G) Reflecting light in a sparkling way

4. scampered
Answer: (A) Moved quickly with light steps

5. teased
Answer: (L) Made fun of or mocked playfully

6. crested
Answer: (B) Reached the top of something

7. lush
Answer: (H) Rich and abundant in vegetation

8. gigantic
Answer: (E) Extremely large in size

9. declared
Answer: (M) Announced something in a formal or emphatic way

10. riddle
Answer: (K) A puzzling question or problem to be solved

11. exclaimed
Answer: (J) Shouted or spoke suddenly with strong emotion

12. impromptu
Answer: (N) Done without being planned or rehearsed

13. energetic
Answer: (I) Full of energy and enthusiasm

14. radiated
Answer: (C) Emitted or spread out from a source

15. whimsical
Answer: (F) Playfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing way
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the village where the adventure takes place?
Answer: (b) Whimsytown

2. Who is the brave fox in the story?
Answer: (c) Freddy

3. What does the troll, Grizzlebump, require the friends to do before passing?
Answer: (c) Answer his riddle

4. What is Nutty the squirrel’s special talent?
Answer: (b) Solving riddles

5. What does Nutty the squirrel answer to Grizzlebump’s riddle?
Answer: (d) A piano

6. What do the friends encounter after passing the troll?
Answer: (a) A shimmering pond

7. What do the Dancing Daisies encourage the friends to do?
Answer: (a) Dance

8. What do the friends realize is the true treasure at the end of their adventure?
Answer: (d) Friendship and laughter
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The friends are demotivated to seek treasure and adventure beyond the Silver Hills. (Answer: False)
2. The friends spectate a dance-off with the Dancing Daisies they stumble upon in a barren meadow. (Answer: False)
3. The main characters include Freddy the fox, Olga the owl, Benny the bear, and Nutty the squirrel. (Answer: True)
4. They encounter a jovial troll named Grizzlebump who welcomes them with a riddle. (Answer: False)
5. The story concludes with the friends returning to Whimsytown, cherishing the memories of their adventure together. (Answer: True)
6. Nutty the squirrel successfully answers the troll’s riddle, allowing the group to pass. (Answer: True)
7. The murky pond they stumble upon reflects the moonlight and symbolizes the fake treasure of friendship. (Answer: False)
8. The story takes place in a village called Whimsytown, where a group of friends embarks on an adventure. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧