Once upon a time in a small fishing village called Windy Cove, there was a tale that sent shivers down the spines of children and adults alike: the tale of the Phantom Ship. According to local legend, this mysterious vessel roamed the foggy seas at night, its haunted glow lighting up the water. Fishermen claimed to have heard strange laughter coming from the ship, which only made the stories more exciting but also a little scary. As the full moon rose, adventurous kids gathered by the dock, eagerly whispering about the ship’s legendary sailor, Captain McGuffin, who seemed to enjoy playing pranks on anyone who dared to cross his path.

One particularly stormy night, three brave friends—Tommy, Bella, and Max—decided they would uncover the truth behind the legend of the Phantom Ship. They armed themselves with a telescope, a big flashlight, and a pie that Bella had baked earlier. “If we find the Phantom Ship,” she said confidently, “we can make a treaty with Captain McGuffin over this delicious pie!” With laughter and excitement, they set off into the swirling mist, not realizing that they were about to embark on the wildest adventure of their lives.

As they reached the edge of the dock, a thick fog suddenly enveloped them. “Do you see that light?” whispered Tommy, pointing to a flickering glow in the distance. The friends squinted and saw the phantom-like shape of a ship approaching, its tattered sails looking like the laundry on a windy day. Suddenly, a ghostly figure appeared at the helm, waving his arms wildly. It was Captain McGuffin! But instead of being terrifying, he looked like a very confused old man whose hat had blown away in the wind.

“Ahoy there, kids!” the captain shouted, his voice booming over the crashing waves. “You thought I was a terrifying ghost? Well, I’m just trying to find my sock! It keeps disappearing!” The friends burst into laughter, realizing that the legendary ghost was simply a humorous sailor who had lost track of his laundry. They couldn’t resist and offered him Bella’s delicious pie as a peace offering. Captain McGuffin’s eyes widened, and he exclaimed, “Pie? Now that’s a treasure worth finding!”

As they sat on the dock with the captain, sharing the pie and telling jokes, the children learned the truth behind the Phantom Ship. “You see,” Captain McGuffin explained, “I used to sail the seas looking for treasures, but what I found was even better—friendships, laughter, and delightful treats! That’s why my ship roams at night; I’m searching for someone to share it with.” The kids realized that legends could be more than just scary stories, and sometimes they held valuable life lessons cloaked in mystery.

Before leaving, Captain McGuffin gave each of them a small silver coin. “These are coins of good fortune! Remember, it’s not just about treasure; it’s about the friends you make along the way.” As the friends waved goodbye, they felt their hearts warm with the spirit of adventure and friendship. From that day on, they would tell the tale of the Phantom Ship, not as a terrifying legend, but as a fun story about a slapstick sailor and how laughter and friendship truly make life’s journey worthwhile.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What was the main legend that the children were excited to explore in Windy Cove?
2. Who were the three friends that decided to uncover the truth behind the Phantom Ship?
3. What items did the friends bring with them on their adventure to find the Phantom Ship?
4. How did the friends react when they first encountered Captain McGuffin?
5. What did Captain McGuffin reveal about his true intentions while sailing at night?
6. What lesson did the children learn from their encounter with Captain McGuffin?
7. How did the children feel after sharing the pie with Captain McGuffin?
8. In what way did the story of the Phantom Ship change for the children after meeting the captain?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time in a small fishing village called Windy Cove, there was a tale that sent shivers down the spines of children and adults alike: the tale of the Phantom Ship. According to local legend, this mysterious vessel (1)______ the foggy seas at night, its haunted glow (2)______ up the water. Fishermen (3)______ to have heard strange laughter coming from the ship, which only made the stories more exciting but also a little scary. As the full moon rose, adventurous kids gathered by the dock, eagerly whispering about the ship’s legendary sailor, (4)______ McGuffin, who seemed to enjoy playing pranks on anyone who dared to cross his path.

One particularly stormy night, three brave friends—Tommy, Bella, and Max—decided they would uncover the truth behind the legend of the Phantom Ship. They armed themselves with a (5)______, a big flashlight, and a pie that (6)______ had (7)______ earlier. “If we find the Phantom Ship,” she said confidently, “we can make a treaty with Captain McGuffin over this delicious pie!” With laughter and excitement, they set off into the swirling mist, not realizing that they were about to embark on the wildest adventure of their lives.

As they reached the edge of the dock, a thick fog suddenly enveloped them. “Do you see that light?” whispered Tommy, pointing to a flickering glow in the distance. The friends squinted and saw the phantom-like shape of a ship approaching, its tattered sails looking like the laundry on a windy day. Suddenly, a ghostly (8)______ appeared at the helm, waving his arms wildly. It was Captain McGuffin! But instead of being terrifying, he looked like a very confused old man whose hat had blown away in the wind.

“Ahoy there, kids!” the captain shouted, his voice booming over the crashing waves. “You thought I was a terrifying ghost? Well, I’m just trying to find my sock! It keeps (9)______!” The friends burst into laughter, realizing that the legendary ghost was simply a humorous sailor who had lost track of his laundry. They couldn’t (10)______ and offered him Bella’s delicious pie as a peace offering. Captain McGuffin’s eyes widened, and he exclaimed, “Pie? Now that’s a (11)______ worth finding!”

As they sat on the dock with the captain, sharing the pie and (12)______ jokes, the children learned the truth behind the Phantom Ship. “You see,” Captain McGuffin explained, “I used to sail the seas looking for treasures, but what I found was even better—friendships, (13)______, and delightful (14)______! That’s why my ship roams at night; I’m searching for someone to share it with.” The kids realized that (15)______s could be more than just (16)______ stories, and sometimes they held valuable life lessons cloaked in mystery.

Before leaving, Captain McGuffin gave each of them a small silver coin. “These are coins of good fortune! Remember, it’s not just about treasure; it’s about the friends you make along the way.” As the friends waved goodbye, they felt their hearts warm with the spirit of adventure and friendship. From that day on, they would tell the tale of the Phantom Ship, not as a terrifying legend, but as a fun story about a slapstick sailor and how laughter and friendship truly make life’s journey worthwhile.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your favorite childhood legend or story, and why does it resonate with you?

2. How would you feel if you encountered a ghost that turned out to be friendly, like Captain McGuffin?

3. Do you think it’s important for legends and myths to have a moral lesson? Why or why not?

4. What is a memorable adventure you’ve had with friends, and what did you learn from it?

5. How do you think the children felt when they realized the Phantom Ship was not what they expected?

6. Do you like sharing food with others as a way to build friendships? Why or why not?

7. What is a time when you faced a fear that turned out to be unfounded, similar to the children’s experience with the Phantom Ship?

8. How would you feel if you were given a token of good fortune, like the silver coins from Captain McGuffin?

9. Do you think storytelling can change the way we perceive fear? Why or why not?

10. What is a lesson you’ve learned from a story or legend that has stayed with you over time?

11. How would you react if you discovered a hidden treasure, and what would you do with it?

12. Do you think it’s more important to seek adventure or to build lasting friendships? Why?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. shivers
2. vessel
3. haunted
4. adventurous
5. pranks
6. telescope
7. enveloped
8. flickering
9. tattered
10. helm
11. booming
12. exclaim
13. treasure
14. cloaked
15. fortune

Meanings:
(A) A large boat or ship
(B) Torn or ragged
(C) An optical instrument designed to make distant objects appear nearer
(D) Loud and resonant
(E) Valuable items, often in the form of precious metals, gems, or money
(F) Luck or good outcomes, often related to wealth or success
(G) To cry out suddenly, especially in surprise or strong emotion
(H) Trembling or shaking, often from fear or cold
(I) Tricks or practical jokes
(J) Willing to take risks or try out new methods, ideas, or experiences
(K) Covered or concealed
(L) Burning or shining in an unsteady way
(M) The steering wheel or control station of a ship
(N) Inhabited or visited by ghosts or spirits
(O) Completely surrounded or covered
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the village where the tale of the Phantom Ship takes place?
(a) Sunny Bay
(b) Windy Cove
(c) Stormy Harbor
(d) Misty Shores

2. Who are the three brave friends that set out to uncover the truth about the Phantom Ship?
(a) Jack, Jill, and Joe
(b) Sam, Ella, and Tim
(c) Lucy, Mia, and Ben
(d) Tommy, Bella, and Max

3. What did Bella bring with her as a peace offering to Captain McGuffin?
(a) A sandwich
(b) A cake
(c) A pie
(d) A drink

4. What did Captain McGuffin claim to be searching for when the children encountered him?
(a) His sock
(b) His treasure
(c) His ship
(d) His hat

5. What lesson did the children learn from their encounter with Captain McGuffin?
(a) Friendship is more valuable than treasure
(b) Always be afraid of ghosts
(c) Never trust a sailor
(d) Fog is dangerous at night

6. What did Captain McGuffin give to each of the children before they left?
(a) A piece of treasure
(b) A map
(c) A piece of candy
(d) A small silver coin

7. How did the children feel about the Phantom Ship after their adventure with Captain McGuffin?
(a) They were still scared of it
(b) They saw it as a fun story
(c) They wanted to avoid it
(d) They wanted to capture it

8. What was the atmosphere like when Tommy, Bella, and Max set out to find the Phantom Ship?
(a) Bright and sunny
(b) Calm and clear
(c) Stormy and foggy
(d) Windy and chilly

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The legend of the Phantom Ship involves a mysterious vessel that roams the foggy seas at night.
2. Captain McGuffin is depicted as a frightening ghost instead of a comical sailor.
3. Three friends named Tommy, Bella, and Max decide to investigate the legend of the Phantom Ship.
4. Bella bakes a pie to offer as a peace offering to Captain McGuffin.
5. The children do not learn important life lessons about friendship and laughter from their encounter with the captain.
6. Captain McGuffin gives each of the children a small silver coin as a token of good fortune.
7. The setting is a bustling city called Windy Cove rather than a small fishing village.
8. The story ends with the friends agreeing not to share the Phantom Ship tale, as it is too scary to be considered a fun story.
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 the main legend that the children were excited to explore in Windy Cove?
The main legend was the tale of the Phantom Ship, a mysterious vessel that roamed the foggy seas at night.

2. Who were the three friends that decided to uncover the truth behind the Phantom Ship?
The three friends were Tommy, Bella, and Max.

3. What items did the friends bring with them on their adventure to find the Phantom Ship?
The friends brought a telescope, a big flashlight, and a pie that Bella had baked.

4. How did the friends react when they first encountered Captain McGuffin?
The friends burst into laughter when they realized Captain McGuffin was a humorous sailor looking for his lost sock, instead of being terrifying.

5. What did Captain McGuffin reveal about his true intentions while sailing at night?
Captain McGuffin revealed that he sailed at night searching for someone to share friendships, laughter, and delightful treats with.

6. What lesson did the children learn from their encounter with Captain McGuffin?
The children learned that legends could hold valuable life lessons and that it’s not just about treasure, but about the friends you make along the way.

7. How did the children feel after sharing the pie with Captain McGuffin?
The children felt their hearts warm with the spirit of adventure and friendship after sharing the pie.

8. In what way did the story of the Phantom Ship change for the children after meeting the captain?
The story changed from being a terrifying legend to a fun story about a slapstick sailor, emphasizing that laughter and friendship make life’s journey worthwhile.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) roamed
(2) lighting
(3) claimed
(4) Captain
(5) telescope
(6) Bella
(7) baked
(8) figure
(9) disappearing
(10) resist
(11) treasure
(12) telling
(13) laughter
(14) treats
(15) legend
(16) scary
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. shivers
Answer: (H) Trembling or shaking, often from fear or cold

2. vessel
Answer: (A) A large boat or ship

3. haunted
Answer: (N) Inhabited or visited by ghosts or spirits

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

5. pranks
Answer: (I) Tricks or practical jokes

6. telescope
Answer: (C) An optical instrument designed to make distant objects appear nearer

7. enveloped
Answer: (O) Completely surrounded or covered

8. flickering
Answer: (L) Burning or shining in an unsteady way

9. tattered
Answer: (B) Torn or ragged

10. helm
Answer: (M) The steering wheel or control station of a ship

11. booming
Answer: (D) Loud and resonant

12. exclaim
Answer: (G) To cry out suddenly, especially in surprise or strong emotion

13. treasure
Answer: (E) Valuable items, often in the form of precious metals, gems, or money

14. cloaked
Answer: (K) Covered or concealed

15. fortune
Answer: (F) Luck or good outcomes, often related to wealth or success
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the village where the tale of the Phantom Ship takes place?
Answer: (b) Windy Cove

2. Who are the three brave friends that set out to uncover the truth about the Phantom Ship?
Answer: (d) Tommy, Bella, and Max

3. What did Bella bring with her as a peace offering to Captain McGuffin?
Answer: (c) A pie

4. What did Captain McGuffin claim to be searching for when the children encountered him?
Answer: (a) His sock

5. What lesson did the children learn from their encounter with Captain McGuffin?
Answer: (a) Friendship is more valuable than treasure

6. What did Captain McGuffin give to each of the children before they left?
Answer: (d) A small silver coin

7. How did the children feel about the Phantom Ship after their adventure with Captain McGuffin?
Answer: (b) They saw it as a fun story

8. What was the atmosphere like when Tommy, Bella, and Max set out to find the Phantom Ship?
Answer: (c) Stormy and foggy
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The legend of the Phantom Ship involves a mysterious vessel that roams the foggy seas at night. (Answer: True)
2. Captain McGuffin is depicted as a frightening ghost instead of a comical sailor. (Answer: False)
3. Three friends named Tommy, Bella, and Max decide to investigate the legend of the Phantom Ship. (Answer: True)
4. Bella bakes a pie to offer as a peace offering to Captain McGuffin. (Answer: True)
5. The children do not learn important life lessons about friendship and laughter from their encounter with the captain. (Answer: False)
6. Captain McGuffin gives each of the children a small silver coin as a token of good fortune. (Answer: True)
7. The setting is a bustling city called Windy Cove rather than a small fishing village. (Answer: False)
8. The story ends with the friends agreeing not to share the Phantom Ship tale, as it is too scary to be considered a fun story. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧