Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

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Short Stories for Kids

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The Legend of the Laughing Llama

In Llamalandia, the Laughing Llama embarks on a quest to find a hidden treasure that spreads joy.

Try this story at a different level?

 

Once upon a time, in a faraway land called Llamalandia, there lived a peculiar llama named Lulu. Lulu was not your ordinary llama; she had a rare and magical gift. Whenever she laughed, the sound of her laughter carried far and wide, spreading joy and happiness to all who heard it. This was why Lulu was famously known as “The Laughing Llama.”

One sunny morning, as Lulu frolicked through the Golden Meadow, she stumbled upon a mysterious map hidden amongst the tall grass. The map appeared to lead to a hidden treasure at the peak of Mount Giggle. Overwhelmed with excitement, Lulu set off on an adventure to find the treasure and share its joyous wonders with the world.

On her way up the mountain, Lulu encountered many obstacles and had to face tricky riddles. However, her infectious laughter helped her overcome every challenge and lighten the hearts of those she encountered. The sound of her laughter echoed through the mountain, guiding her closer to the treasure.

After climbing for what seemed like an eternity, Lulu finally reached the summit. To her surprise, she discovered not a chest full of gold, but a magical mirror that could reflect the inner laughter of every being. It had the power to heal sadness and spread laughter throughout the land. Lulu realized that the real treasure wasn’t gold, but the ability to bring joy to others.

From that day on, Lulu returned to Llamalandia, where she became a hero, spreading laughter and happiness wherever she went. People would gather, just to hear her contagious laughter, for they knew it had magical powers. The once gloomy land transformed into a place filled with laughter and joy, all thanks to the giggles of one special llama.

The legend of the Laughing Llama spread far and wide, and children from different lands would flock to Llamalandia, hoping to hear her laughter. The world learned that true treasure wasn’t something you could hold or own, but something that lives within us all – the power to make others happy.

And so, the Laughing Llama taught everyone the important lesson that laughter is the best medicine, and that a smile can brighten even the darkest of days.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

1peculiarStrange or unusual in a way that is surprising or difficult to understand
2magicalPossessing or using supernatural powers
3frolickedMoved in a lively, playful, or energetic way
4mysteriousDifficult to understand or explain; full of secrets
5overwhelmedFeeling a strong emotional effect, to the point of being burdened
6encounteredCame across or met, especially unexpectedly
7obstaclesThings that block one’s way or prevent or hinder progress
8infectiousCapable of spreading or influencing others in a rapid manner
9summitThe highest point or top of a mountain or hill
10reflectShow a clear image of, or be evidence of something
11healTo make better or restore to health
12contagiousAble to spread quickly and affect others, as in a disease or emotion
13transformedChanged completely, especially improving in appearance or character
14flockGather or move in a crowd or group
15legendA traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but not authenticated

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What was Lulu’s special gift?
2. Where did Lulu find the map?
3. What did the map lead to?
4. How did Lulu overcome the obstacles on her way up the mountain?
5. What did Lulu find at the summit of Mount Giggle?
6. What did Lulu realize was the real treasure?
7. How did Lulu become a hero in Llamalandia?
8. What lesson did the Laughing Llama teach everyone?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time, in a faraway land called Llamalandia, there lived a peculiar llama named Lulu. Lulu was not your (1)______ llama; she had a rare and (2)______ gift. Whenever she laughed, the sound of her laughter carried far and wide, spreading joy and (3)______ to all who heard it. This was why Lulu was famously known as “The Laughing Llama.”

One sunny morning, as Lulu frolicked through the Golden (4)______, she stumbled upon a mysterious map hidden amongst the tall grass. The map appeared to lead to a hidden treasure at the peak of Mount Giggle. Overwhelmed with excitement, Lulu set off on an (5)______ to find the (6)______ and share its joyous wonders with the world.

On her way up the mountain, Lulu encountered many obstacles and had to face tricky riddles. However, her infectious laughter (7)______ her overcome every challenge and lighten the hearts of those she encountered. The sound of her laughter echoed through the mountain, (8)______ her closer to the treasure.

After climbing for what seemed like an eternity, Lulu finally reached the summit. To her surprise, she discovered not a chest full of gold, but a magical mirror that could reflect the inner laughter of every being. It had the power to heal sadness and (9)______ laughter throughout the land. Lulu realized that the real treasure wasn’t gold, but the ability to bring joy to others.

From that day on, Lulu returned to (10)______, where she became a hero, spreading laughter and happiness wherever she went. (11)______ would (12)______, just to hear her contagious laughter, for they knew it had magical powers. The once gloomy land transformed into a place filled with laughter and joy, all thanks to the giggles of one special llama.

The legend of the Laughing Llama spread far and wide, and (13)______ from different lands would flock to Llamalandia, hoping to hear her laughter. The (14)______ learned that true treasure wasn’t something you could hold or own, but something that lives within us all – the power to make (15)______ happy.

And so, the Laughing Llama taught everyone the important lesson that laughter is the best (16)______, and that a smile can brighten even the darkest of days.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is the significance of laughter in your culture? Why or why not is it important?
2. How would you feel if you had the ability to bring joy and happiness to others like Lulu? Why?
3. Do you think it’s possible for laughter to have magical powers? Why or why not?
4. What is the most important lesson you’ve learned from a story or legend? How has it impacted your life?
5. Have you ever encountered a situation where laughter helped you overcome a challenge? Can you share your experience?
6. How do you think the world would be different if everyone had the power to make others happy?
7. What do you think the hidden treasure symbolizes in the story? Why?
8. Do you believe that true treasure is something that can be held or owned? Why or why not?
9. How do you think the people in Llamalandia felt when they heard the laughter of the Laughing Llama? Why?
10. What role does laughter play in your own life? How does it affect your mood and relationships with others?
11. Do you think it’s important for children to learn about the power of laughter and happiness? Why or why not?
12. How can laughter and a smile brighten even the darkest of days? Can you think of a personal example?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. peculiar
2. magical
3. frolicked
4. mysterious
5. overwhelmed
6. encountered
7. obstacles
8. infectious
9. summit
10. reflect
11. heal
12. contagious
13. transformed
14. flock
15. legend

Meanings:
(A) Capable of spreading or influencing others in a rapid manner
(B) Came across or met, especially unexpectedly
(C) Possessing or using supernatural powers
(D) Gather or move in a crowd or group
(E) Feeling a strong emotional effect, to the point of being burdened
(F) Things that block one’s way or prevent or hinder progress
(G) Strange or unusual in a way that is surprising or difficult to understand
(H) To make better or restore to health
(I) Moved in a lively, playful, or energetic way
(J) Able to spread quickly and affect others, as in a disease or emotion
(K) Difficult to understand or explain; full of secrets
(L) The highest point or top of a mountain or hill
(M) Show a clear image of, or be evidence of something
(N) A traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but not authenticated
(O) Changed completely, especially improving in appearance or character
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What was the name of the llama in the story?
(a) Lola
(b) Lucy
(c) Lily
(d) Lulu

2. What was the special gift that Lulu had?
(a) The ability to fly
(b) The ability to talk to animals
(c) The ability to change colors
(d) The ability to spread joy through her laughter

3. Where did Lulu find the mysterious map?
(a) In the Golden Meadow
(b) In the Enchanted Forest
(c) In the Hidden Cave
(d) In the Crystal Lake

4. What did the map lead to?
(a) A secret waterfall in the Whispering Woods
(b) A hidden treasure at the peak of Mount Giggle
(c) A magical cave filled with glowing crystals
(d) A hidden garden with talking animals

5. How did Lulu overcome the challenges on her way up the mountain?
(a) By using her magical powers
(b) With her infectious laughter
(c) By solving tricky riddles
(d) By climbing and jumping

6. What did Lulu find at the summit of Mount Giggle?
(a) A magical mirror that could reflect the inner laughter of every being
(b) A chest full of gold and jewels
(c) A secret passage to another world
(d) A group of friendly mountain goats

7. What did Lulu realize was the real treasure?
(a) The chest full of gold and jewels
(b) The magical mirror
(c) The ability to bring joy to others
(d) The adventure of climbing the mountain

8. What important lesson did the Laughing Llama teach everyone?
(a) True treasure is found within ourselves
(b) A smile can brighten even the darkest of days
(c) Laughter is the best medicine
(d) All of the above

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Lulu succumbed to obstacles and struggled with solving riddles despite her laughter.
2. Lulu found a plain map hidden in the Golden Meadow that led to a hidden treasure.
3. The legend of the Laughing Llama spread far and wide, attracting children from different lands to Llamalandia.
4. Lulu left Llamalandia and became a villain, spreading misery and sadness throughout the land.
5. At the top of Mount Giggle, Lulu discovered a magical mirror that reflected the inner laughter of every being.
6. The Laughing Llama taught everyone the important lesson that laughter is the best medicine and can brighten even the darkest of days.
7. Lulu realized that the real treasure was the ability to bring joy to others, not material wealth.
8. Lulu, the llama, had a common and mundane gift of spreading joy and happiness through her laughter.
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 Lulu’s special gift?
Lulu’s special gift was the ability to spread joy and happiness through her laughter.

2. Where did Lulu find the map?
Lulu found the map hidden amongst the tall grass in the Golden Meadow.

3. What did the map lead to?
The map led to a hidden treasure at the peak of Mount Giggle.

4. How did Lulu overcome the obstacles on her way up the mountain?
Lulu overcame the obstacles by using her infectious laughter to lighten the hearts of those she encountered.

5. What did Lulu find at the summit of Mount Giggle?
At the summit of Mount Giggle, Lulu found a magical mirror that could reflect the inner laughter of every being.

6. What did Lulu realize was the real treasure?
Lulu realized that the real treasure was the ability to bring joy to others and spread laughter throughout the land.

7. How did Lulu become a hero in Llamalandia?
Lulu became a hero in Llamalandia by spreading laughter and happiness wherever she went, transforming the once gloomy land into a place filled with joy.

8. What lesson did the Laughing Llama teach everyone?
The Laughing Llama taught everyone the important lesson that laughter is the best medicine and that a smile can brighten even the darkest of days.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) ordinary
(2) magical
(3) happiness
(4) Meadow
(5) adventure
(6) treasure
(7) helped
(8) guiding
(9) spread
(10) Llamalandia
(11) People
(12) gather
(13) children
(14) world
(15) others
(16) medicine
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. peculiar
Answer: (G) Strange or unusual in a way that is surprising or difficult to understand

2. magical
Answer: (C) Possessing or using supernatural powers

3. frolicked
Answer: (I) Moved in a lively, playful, or energetic way

4. mysterious
Answer: (K) Difficult to understand or explain; full of secrets

5. overwhelmed
Answer: (E) Feeling a strong emotional effect, to the point of being burdened

6. encountered
Answer: (B) Came across or met, especially unexpectedly

7. obstacles
Answer: (F) Things that block one’s way or prevent or hinder progress

8. infectious
Answer: (A) Capable of spreading or influencing others in a rapid manner

9. summit
Answer: (L) The highest point or top of a mountain or hill

10. reflect
Answer: (M) Show a clear image of, or be evidence of something

11. heal
Answer: (H) To make better or restore to health

12. contagious
Answer: (J) Able to spread quickly and affect others, as in a disease or emotion

13. transformed
Answer: (O) Changed completely, especially improving in appearance or character

14. flock
Answer: (D) Gather or move in a crowd or group

15. legend
Answer: (N) A traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but not authenticated
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What was the name of the llama in the story?
Answer: (d) Lulu

2. What was the special gift that Lulu had?
Answer: (d) The ability to spread joy through her laughter

3. Where did Lulu find the mysterious map?
Answer: (a) In the Golden Meadow

4. What did the map lead to?
Answer: (b) A hidden treasure at the peak of Mount Giggle

5. How did Lulu overcome the challenges on her way up the mountain?
Answer: (b) With her infectious laughter

6. What did Lulu find at the summit of Mount Giggle?
Answer: (a) A magical mirror that could reflect the inner laughter of every being

7. What did Lulu realize was the real treasure?
Answer: (c) The ability to bring joy to others

8. What important lesson did the Laughing Llama teach everyone?
Answer: (c) Laughter is the best medicine
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Lulu succumbed to obstacles and struggled with solving riddles despite her laughter. (Answer: False)
2. Lulu found a plain map hidden in the Golden Meadow that led to a hidden treasure. (Answer: False)
3. The legend of the Laughing Llama spread far and wide, attracting children from different lands to Llamalandia. (Answer: True)
4. Lulu left Llamalandia and became a villain, spreading misery and sadness throughout the land. (Answer: False)
5. At the top of Mount Giggle, Lulu discovered a magical mirror that reflected the inner laughter of every being. (Answer: True)
6. The Laughing Llama taught everyone the important lesson that laughter is the best medicine and can brighten even the darkest of days. (Answer: True)
7. Lulu realized that the real treasure was the ability to bring joy to others, not material wealth. (Answer: True)
8. Lulu, the llama, had a common and mundane gift of spreading joy and happiness through her laughter. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧

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