Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

Short Stories for Kids

Complete lesson plans, including stories, listening, classroom activities, quiz questions and more!

The Lighthouse Keeper’s Secret

Mr. Wilson's quest to retrieve a stolen crystal leads to a hilarious chase through the village.

Try this story at a different level?

 

Once upon a time, in a little coastal village, there lived a lighthouse keeper named Mr. Wilson. He was known for his cheerful nature and his knack for keeping the lighthouse in tip-top shape. But little did the villagers know, Mr. Wilson had a secret. Hidden within the lighthouse was a magical crystal that possessed the power to grant any wish.

One day, a mischievous seagull named Sammy accidentally discovered the secret. Unable to resist the temptation, Sammy flew into the lighthouse and snatched the crystal. As soon as he took off, the lighthouse became dim, causing confusion amongst the villagers. They had no idea what happened to their beloved lighthouse.

Without a moment’s delay, Mr. Wilson set out on a quest to retrieve the crystal and restore the lighthouse’s light. Armed with determination and a handful of breadcrumbs, he embarked on a hilarious chase to catch the crafty seagull.

As Mr. Wilson pursued Sammy through the village, the townspeople couldn’t help but burst into laughter. They watched in amazement as their usually composed lighthouse keeper dashed around, leaving a trail of crumbs. The chase continued through bumpy streets, over gardens, and even into a fish market, causing quite a commotion.

Eventually, Mr. Wilson managed to outwit Sammy and reclaim the crystal. The village rejoiced as the lighthouse beamed its light brightly once more. The villagers gathered to celebrate and showed their gratitude to Mr. Wilson, thanking him for his unwavering spirit and perseverance.

The moral of the story is that it’s important to find joy and humor in even the most challenging situations. Mr. Wilson’s determination, coupled with his ability to laugh at himself, allowed him to overcome obstacles and make the village a happier place. In the end, he not only restored the lighthouse but also brought people together through laughter and shared experiences.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

1coastalRelating to the area where the land meets the sea
2lighthouseA tower with a bright light at the top, located at an important or dangerous place regarding navigation (especially at sea)
3cheerfulNoticeably happy and optimistic
4knackA special skill or talent for doing something well
5mischievousPlayfully causing trouble or annoyance
6snatchedQuickly and forcefully grabbed something
7dimNot bright or clear; lacking in light
8confusionA state of being bewildered or unclear in one’s mind about something
9questA long and difficult search for something
10determinationFirmness of purpose; resoluteness
11embarkedBegan a journey or venture
12amazementA feeling of great surprise or wonder
13composedCalm and in control of one’s emotions
14outwitDefeat or get the better of someone by being clever or cunning
15perseveranceSteadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What was Mr. Wilson known for in the village?
2. How did Sammy discover the secret of the crystal?
3. Why did the lighthouse become dim when Sammy took the crystal?
4. What did Mr. Wilson use to try and catch Sammy?
5. How did the townspeople react to Mr. Wilson’s chase?
6. Where did the chase take place?
7. How did Mr. Wilson manage to outwit Sammy?
8. What was the outcome of Mr. Wilson’s quest?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time, in a little coastal village, there lived a (1)______ keeper named Mr. Wilson. He was known for his cheerful (2)______ and his knack for keeping the lighthouse in tip-top shape. But little did the villagers know, Mr. Wilson had a secret. Hidden within the lighthouse was a magical crystal that possessed the power to (3)______ any wish.

One day, a mischievous seagull named (4)______ accidentally discovered the secret. Unable to resist the temptation, Sammy flew into the (5)______house and snatched the crystal. As soon as he took off, the lighthouse became dim, causing confusion amongst the villagers. They had no idea what happened to their beloved lighthouse.

Without a moment’s delay, Mr. (6)______ set out on a quest to retrieve the crystal and (7)______ the lighthouse’s light. Armed with (8)______ and a handful of breadcrumbs, he embarked on a hilarious chase to catch the crafty seagull.

As Mr. Wilson pursued Sammy through the village, the townspeople couldn’t help but burst into (9)______. They watched in amazement as their usually composed lighthouse keeper dashed around, leaving a trail of crumbs. The chase continued through bumpy streets, over gardens, and even into a fish market, causing quite a commotion.

Eventually, Mr. Wilson managed to (10)______ Sammy and reclaim the crystal. The village rejoiced as the lighthouse beamed its light brightly once more. The villagers (11)______ to (12)______ and showed their gratitude to Mr. Wilson, thanking him for his unwavering spirit and perseverance.

The moral of the story is that it’s important to find joy and humor in even the most challenging situations. Mr. Wilson’s determination, coupled with his (13)______ to (14)______ at himself, (15)______ him to overcome (16)______ and make the village a happier place. In the end, he not only restored the lighthouse but also brought people together through laughter and shared experiences.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is the importance of finding joy and humor in challenging situations?
2. How would you feel if you discovered a magical crystal that could grant any wish?
3. Do you think it’s important to have a sense of humor? Why or why not?
4. What would you wish for if you had a magical crystal that could grant any wish? Why?
5. How do you think Mr. Wilson’s determination helped him overcome obstacles?
6. Have you ever had a situation where you had to persevere and not give up? Can you share your experience?
7. Do you think laughter can bring people together? Why or why not?
8. What are some ways that you find joy and humor in your own life?
9. How do you think the villagers’ perception of Mr. Wilson changed after witnessing his chase with Sammy?
10. Can you think of a time when you had to chase after something or someone? How did it make you feel?
11. Do you think it’s important to have a positive attitude in difficult situations? Why or why not?
12. What lessons can we learn from Mr. Wilson’s story about the power of perseverance and laughter?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. coastal
2. lighthouse
3. cheerful
4. knack
5. mischievous
6. snatched
7. dim
8. confusion
9. quest
10. determination
11. embarked
12. amazement
13. composed
14. outwit
15. perseverance

Meanings:
(A) A long and difficult search for something
(B) A tower with a bright light at the top, located at an important or dangerous place regarding navigation (especially at sea)
(C) Not bright or clear; lacking in light
(D) A state of being bewildered or unclear in one’s mind about something
(E) Noticeably happy and optimistic
(F) A feeling of great surprise or wonder
(G) Relating to the area where the land meets the sea
(H) Defeat or get the better of someone by being clever or cunning
(I) Calm and in control of one’s emotions
(J) A special skill or talent for doing something well
(K) Steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success
(L) Playfully causing trouble or annoyance
(M) Began a journey or venture
(N) Quickly and forcefully grabbed something
(O) Firmness of purpose; resoluteness
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What was the name of the lighthouse keeper in the story?
(a) Mr. Smith
(b) Mr. Wilson
(c) Mr. Jones
(d) Mr. Brown

2. What did Sammy the seagull accidentally discover in the lighthouse?
(a) A magical crystal
(b) A hidden treasure
(c) A secret passage
(d) A map to a hidden island

3. What happened to the lighthouse when Sammy took the crystal?
(a) It started to spin
(b) It became dim
(c) It disappeared
(d) It turned into gold

4. How did Mr. Wilson try to catch Sammy?
(a) By setting a trap
(b) By calling for help
(c) By leaving a trail of breadcrumbs
(d) By flying after him

5. What did the villagers do when they saw Mr. Wilson chasing Sammy?
(a) They ran away in fear
(b) They tried to help Mr. Wilson
(c) They called the police
(d) They burst into laughter

6. Where did the chase between Mr. Wilson and Sammy take place?
(a) The beach
(b) The forest
(c) The village
(d) The mountains

7. How did Mr. Wilson eventually outwit Sammy?
(a) By tricking him with a decoy crystal
(b) By catching him in a net
(c) By bribing him with fish
(d) By calling for backup

8. What did the villagers do to show their gratitude to Mr. Wilson?
(a) They gave him a medal
(b) They threw a party in his honor
(c) They built a statue of him
(d) They gathered to celebrate

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Mr. Wilson is a fisherman in a coastal village.
2. The lighthouse becomes dim after Sammy takes the crystal.
3. The chase between Mr. Wilson and Sammy through the village causes laughter and amusement among the townspeople.
4. Mr. Wilson ultimately outsmarts Sammy and regains possession of the crystal.
5. Mr. Wilson sets off on a mission to retrieve the crystal and revive the lighthouse’s light.
6. Mr. Wilson has a secret magical crystal hidden in the lighthouse.
7. Mr. Wilson’s perseverance and knack for finding amusement in difficult circumstances brings happiness and harmony to the village.
8. A mischievous seagull named Sammy discovers the secret and steals the crystal.
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 Mr. Wilson known for in the village?
Mr. Wilson was known for being cheerful and keeping the lighthouse in good condition.

2. How did Sammy discover the secret of the crystal?
Sammy, the seagull, accidentally discovered the crystal when he flew into the lighthouse.

3. Why did the lighthouse become dim when Sammy took the crystal?
The lighthouse became dim because the crystal possessed the power to provide light, and without it, the lighthouse couldn’t shine.

4. What did Mr. Wilson use to try and catch Sammy?
Mr. Wilson used a handful of breadcrumbs to try and catch Sammy.

5. How did the townspeople react to Mr. Wilson’s chase?
The townspeople found the chase hilarious and burst into laughter as they watched Mr. Wilson running around the village.

6. Where did the chase take place?
The chase took place through the village, including bumpy streets, gardens, and even a fish market.

7. How did Mr. Wilson manage to outwit Sammy?
Mr. Wilson managed to outwit Sammy and retrieve the crystal, but the story does not specify how he did it.

8. What was the outcome of Mr. Wilson’s quest?
Mr. Wilson successfully retrieved the crystal and restored the lighthouse’s light. The village celebrated, and Mr. Wilson was thanked for his perseverance and ability to bring joy to the village.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) lighthouse
(2) nature
(3) grant
(4) Sammy
(5) light
(6) Wilson
(7) restore
(8) determination
(9) laughter
(10) outwit
(11) gathered
(12) celebrate
(13) ability
(14) laugh
(15) allowed
(16) obstacles
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. coastal
Answer: (G) Relating to the area where the land meets the sea

2. lighthouse
Answer: (B) A tower with a bright light at the top, located at an important or dangerous place regarding navigation (especially at sea)

3. cheerful
Answer: (E) Noticeably happy and optimistic

4. knack
Answer: (J) A special skill or talent for doing something well

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

6. snatched
Answer: (N) Quickly and forcefully grabbed something

7. dim
Answer: (C) Not bright or clear; lacking in light

8. confusion
Answer: (D) A state of being bewildered or unclear in one’s mind about something

9. quest
Answer: (A) A long and difficult search for something

10. determination
Answer: (O) Firmness of purpose; resoluteness

11. embarked
Answer: (M) Began a journey or venture

12. amazement
Answer: (F) A feeling of great surprise or wonder

13. composed
Answer: (I) Calm and in control of one’s emotions

14. outwit
Answer: (H) Defeat or get the better of someone by being clever or cunning

15. perseverance
Answer: (K) Steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What was the name of the lighthouse keeper in the story?
Answer: (b) Mr. Wilson

2. What did Sammy the seagull accidentally discover in the lighthouse?
Answer: (a) A magical crystal

3. What happened to the lighthouse when Sammy took the crystal?
Answer: (b) It became dim

4. How did Mr. Wilson try to catch Sammy?
Answer: (c) By leaving a trail of breadcrumbs

5. What did the villagers do when they saw Mr. Wilson chasing Sammy?
Answer: (d) They burst into laughter

6. Where did the chase between Mr. Wilson and Sammy take place?
Answer: (c) The village

7. How did Mr. Wilson eventually outwit Sammy?
Answer: (a) By tricking him with a decoy crystal

8. What did the villagers do to show their gratitude to Mr. Wilson?
Answer: (d) They gathered to celebrate
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Mr. Wilson is a fisherman in a coastal village. (Answer: False)
2. The lighthouse becomes dim after Sammy takes the crystal. (Answer: True)
3. The chase between Mr. Wilson and Sammy through the village causes laughter and amusement among the townspeople. (Answer: True)
4. Mr. Wilson ultimately outsmarts Sammy and regains possession of the crystal. (Answer: False)
5. Mr. Wilson sets off on a mission to retrieve the crystal and revive the lighthouse’s light. (Answer: False)
6. Mr. Wilson has a secret magical crystal hidden in the lighthouse. (Answer: True)
7. Mr. Wilson’s perseverance and knack for finding amusement in difficult circumstances brings happiness and harmony to the village. (Answer: False)
8. A mischievous seagull named Sammy discovers the secret and steals the crystal. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 4 stories?

Dara the daring dragonfly embarks on a quest, only to discover that the true treasure is within.

The Daring Dragonfly

Dara the daring dragonfly embarks on a quest, only to discover that the true treasure is within.

A lonely turtle named Timothy embarks on an adventure to find friends and discovers a hidden cove.

The Lonely Turtle

A lonely turtle named Timothy embarks on an adventure to find friends and discovers a hidden cove.

The Ice Cream Island

A boy named Johnny wins a lifetime supply of ice cream and shares it with everyone on the Ice Cream Island, spreading joy and kindness.

Stella the unicorn uses her magical rainbow to spread happiness and love to all creatures.

The Rainbow Bridge

Stella the unicorn uses her magical rainbow to spread happiness and love to all creatures.

Feedback