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 Marshmallow Mountains

Lily conquers the Marshmallow Mountains, learns the secret recipe, and shares everlasting marshmallows with the world.

Try this story at a different level?

 

Once upon a time, in a land not too far away, there existed a magical place called the Marshmallow Mountains. This wondrous land was filled with hills that were as fluffy and squishy as marshmallows. People from all around would come to climb these edible mounts, hoping to taste their sugary goodness. However, the Marshmallow Mountains were not your ordinary hills; they possessed a unique power that granted anyone who conquered them the ability to speak to animals.

One day, a brave and curious girl named Lily set off on a grand adventure to conquer the Marshmallow Mountains. Along her journey, she encountered a mischievous rabbit named Oliver, who revealed a great secret. “If you can reach the very top of the tallest mountain,” he said, “you’ll discover the secret recipe for everlasting marshmallows!” With this tantalizing information, Lily’s determination to reach the peak grew stronger.

As she ventured deeper into the sugar-coated wilderness, she stumbled upon a friendly squirrel named Nutmeg. Nutmeg had lost her acorn and was feeling sad. Seeing an opportunity to put her newfound gift to good use, Lily convinced the animals of the Marshmallow Mountains to help Nutmeg search for her precious acorn. Working together, they scoured the hills until they found the acorn hidden within a fluffy mound. The animals were overjoyed, and Lily learned the value of teamwork and lending a helping hand.

Pressing on, Lily faced various challenges. She encountered a wise owl who tested her knowledge and a fast-talking fox who challenged her problem-solving skills. With each obstacle, Lily grew wiser, realizing the importance of perseverance and thinking outside the box. Finally, after days of climbing and solving puzzles, she reached the highest peak.

At the mountain’s summit, Lily found a small door that led to a hidden chamber. There she discovered the sacred recipe guarded by a magical unicorn. The unicorn, sensing Lily’s pure heart, gifted her the recipe, along with a message of kindness. With this newfound treasure, Lily descended the Marshmallow Mountains, eager to share the secret of everlasting marshmallows with the world.

Upon returning home, Lily transformed her discovery into a business, using the recipe to create marshmallows that never melted or grew stale. With her success, she built a factory that employed people from all walks of life, reminding them of the values she had learned – teamwork, perseverance, and kindness. The Marshmallow Mountains became a symbol for the sweetness of life, where dreams could be achieved through hard work and a dash of magic. And so, the story of Lily and the Marshmallow Mountains lived on, inspiring countless others to climb their own hills, conquer their own challenges, and savor the sweetness that life has to offer.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

1wondrousInspiring a feeling of wonder or amazement
2edibleFit to be eaten
3conqueredSuccessfully climbed or overcome
4mischievousPlayfully causing trouble or annoyance
5tantalizingTempting or provoking desire
6determinationFirmness of purpose; resoluteness
7venturedSet out on a risky or daring journey
8scouredSearched thoroughly or vigorously
9overjoyedExtremely happy or delighted
10perseveranceSteadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay
11summitThe highest point or top of a mountain
12sacredRegarded with great respect and reverence
13descendedMoved downward from a higher to a lower level
14transformedChanged in form, character, or function
15inspiringMotivating or encouraging others to take action or create something

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What was the special power of the Marshmallow Mountains?
2. What did Oliver tell Lily she would find at the top of the tallest mountain?
3. How did Lily use her ability to speak to animals to help Nutmeg?
4. What lessons did Lily learn from the wise owl and the fast-talking fox?
5. What did Lily find at the highest peak of the Marshmallow Mountains?
6. What message did the magical unicorn give to Lily?
7. How did Lily use her discovery to create a successful business?
8. What did the Marshmallow Mountains symbolize in the story?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time, in a land not too far away, there existed a magical place (1)______ the Marshmallow Mountains. This wondrous land was filled with hills that were as fluffy and squishy as marshmallows. People from all around would come to (2)______ these edible mounts, hoping to taste their sugary goodness. However, the Marshmallow Mountains were not your ordinary hills; they possessed a unique power that granted anyone who conquered them the ability to speak to animals.

One day, a brave and curious girl named Lily set off on a grand adventure to conquer the Marshmallow Mountains. Along her (3)______, she encountered a mischievous (4)______ named Oliver, who revealed a great secret. “If you can reach the very top of the tallest mountain,” he said, “you’ll discover the secret recipe for everlasting marshmallows!” With this tantalizing information, Lily’s determination to (5)______ the peak grew stronger.

As she ventured deeper into the sugar-coated (6)______, she stumbled upon a friendly squirrel (7)______ Nutmeg. Nutmeg had lost her acorn and was feeling sad. Seeing an opportunity to put her newfound gift to good use, Lily (8)______ the animals of the Marshmallow Mountains to help Nutmeg search for her precious acorn. Working together, they scoured the hills until they found the acorn hidden within a fluffy mound. The animals were overjoyed, and Lily learned the value of teamwork and lending a helping hand.

(9)______ on, Lily faced various challenges. She encountered a wise owl who (10)______ her knowledge and a fast-talking fox who challenged her problem-solving skills. With each obstacle, Lily grew wiser, realizing the importance of perseverance and thinking outside the box. Finally, after days of climbing and solving puzzles, she reached the highest peak.

At the mountain’s summit, Lily found a small door that led to a hidden chamber. There she discovered the sacred recipe guarded by a magical unicorn. The unicorn, sensing Lily’s pure heart, gifted her the recipe, along with a (11)______ of (12)______. With this newfound treasure, Lily descended the Marshmallow Mountains, eager to share the secret of everlasting marshmallows with the world.

Upon returning home, Lily transformed her discovery into a business, using the recipe to create marshmallows that never melted or grew stale. With her (13)______, she built a factory that employed people from all walks of life, reminding them of the values she had (14)______ – teamwork, perseverance, and kindness. The Marshmallow Mountains became a symbol for the sweetness of life, where (15)______ could be achieved through hard work and a dash of magic. And so, the story of Lily and the Marshmallow Mountains lived on, inspiring (16)______ others to climb their own hills, conquer their own challenges, and savor the sweetness that life has to offer.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What do you think it would be like to climb a mountain made of marshmallows?
2. Have you ever had an experience where you had to work together with others to achieve a goal? How did it make you feel?
3. Do you believe in the power of perseverance? Why or why not?
4. How do you think Lily felt when she finally reached the top of the Marshmallow Mountains?
5. What values do you think are important for achieving success in life?
6. Have you ever encountered a challenge that required you to think outside the box? How did you handle it?
7. Do you think it’s important to help others in need? Why or why not?
8. How would you feel if you had the ability to speak to animals? What would you ask them?
9. Do you like marshmallows? Why or why not?
10. What do you think the message of kindness from the magical unicorn meant?
11. If you had the secret recipe for everlasting marshmallows, what would you do with it?
12. Do you believe that dreams can be achieved through hard work and a dash of magic? Why or why not?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. wondrous
2. edible
3. conquered
4. mischievous
5. tantalizing
6. determination
7. ventured
8. scoured
9. overjoyed
10. perseverance
11. summit
12. sacred
13. descended
14. transformed
15. inspiring

Meanings:
(A) Firmness of purpose; resoluteness
(B) Successfully climbed or overcome
(C) Set out on a risky or daring journey
(D) Inspiring a feeling of wonder or amazement
(E) Tempting or provoking desire
(F) Regarded with great respect and reverence
(G) The highest point or top of a mountain
(H) Playfully causing trouble or annoyance
(I) Moved downward from a higher to a lower level
(J) Fit to be eaten
(K) Changed in form, character, or function
(L) Extremely happy or delighted
(M) Motivating or encouraging others to take action or create something
(N) Searched thoroughly or vigorously
(O) Steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What was the unique power possessed by the Marshmallow Mountains?
(a) The ability to speak to animals
(b) The ability to fly
(c) The ability to grant wishes
(d) The ability to turn into chocolate

2. Who did Lily encounter on her journey to the Marshmallow Mountains?
(a) Watson the dog and Nutella the cat
(b) Oliver the rabbit and Nutmeg the squirrel
(c) Robert the bird and Nutmeg the squirrel
(d) Jones the fox and Oliver the rabbit

3. What did Oliver reveal to Lily about reaching the top of the tallest mountain?
(a) The location of hidden treasure
(b) The ability to fly
(c) The secret recipe for everlasting marshmallows
(d) The secret to speaking to animals

4. How did Lily help Nutmeg the squirrel?
(a) By teaching her how to climb mountains
(b) By giving her a magical potion
(c) By helping her find her lost acorn
(d) By turning her into a marshmallow

5. What did Lily learn from her encounters with the wise owl and the fast-talking fox?
(a) The importance of perseverance and thinking outside the box
(b) The secret recipe for everlasting marshmallows
(c) The ability to speak to animals
(d) The location of hidden treasure

6. What did Lily find at the summit of the Marshmallow Mountains?
(a) A magical unicorn
(b) The secret recipe for everlasting marshmallows
(c) All of the above
(d) A small door that led to a hidden chamber

7. What did the magical unicorn gift Lily?
(a) A message of kindness
(b) The secret recipe for everlasting marshmallows
(c) The ability to fly
(d) A magical potion

8. What did Lily do with her discovery of the secret recipe for everlasting marshmallows?
(a) She kept it a secret and never shared it with anyone
(b) She turned it into a magical potion
(c) She gave it to the animals of the Marshmallow Mountains
(d) She transformed it into a business and created marshmallows that never melted or grew stale

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Lily faces challenges from a wise owl and a fast-talking fox during her climb.
2. The unicorn steals Lily’s sacred recipe for everlasting marshmallows and imparts a message of selfishness.
3. Lily uses the recipe to create marshmallows that never melt or grow stale, building a successful business and inspiring others.
4. Lily meets a mischievous rabbit named Oliver who hides the secret recipe for everlasting marshmallows.
5. Lily convinces the animals of the Marshmallow Mountains to ignore a squirrel named Nutmeg looking for her lost acorn.
6. Lily embarks on a journey to conquer the Marshmallow Mountains.
7. The Marshmallow Mountains have the power to grant the ability to speak to animals.
8. At the base of the Marshmallow Mountains, Lily discovers a hidden chamber guarded by a terrifying unicorn.
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 special power of the Marshmallow Mountains?
The special power of the Marshmallow Mountains was granting anyone who conquered them the ability to speak to animals.

2. What did Oliver tell Lily she would find at the top of the tallest mountain?
Oliver told Lily that she would find the secret recipe for everlasting marshmallows at the top of the tallest mountain.

3. How did Lily use her ability to speak to animals to help Nutmeg?
Lily used her ability to speak to animals to rally the animals of the Marshmallow Mountains to help Nutmeg search for her lost acorn.

4. What lessons did Lily learn from the wise owl and the fast-talking fox?
From the wise owl, Lily learned the value of knowledge and the importance of learning. From the fast-talking fox, she learned the importance of problem-solving and thinking outside the box.

5. What did Lily find at the highest peak of the Marshmallow Mountains?
At the highest peak of the Marshmallow Mountains, Lily found a small door that led to a hidden chamber where she discovered the sacred recipe for everlasting marshmallows.

6. What message did the magical unicorn give to Lily?
The magical unicorn gave Lily a message of kindness, reminding her of the importance of treating others with compassion and empathy.

7. How did Lily use her discovery to create a successful business?
Lily used the secret recipe for everlasting marshmallows to create a business that produced marshmallows that never melted or grew stale. She built a factory and employed people from all walks of life, sharing the sweetness of her discovery with the world.

8. What did the Marshmallow Mountains symbolize in the story?
The Marshmallow Mountains symbolized the sweetness of life and the idea that dreams can be achieved through hard work, perseverance, and a touch of magic.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) called
(2) climb
(3) journey
(4) rabbit
(5) reach
(6) wilderness
(7) named
(8) convinced
(9) Pressing
(10) tested
(11) message
(12) kindness
(13) success
(14) learned
(15) dreams
(16) countless
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. wondrous
Answer: (D) Inspiring a feeling of wonder or amazement

2. edible
Answer: (J) Fit to be eaten

3. conquered
Answer: (B) Successfully climbed or overcome

4. mischievous
Answer: (H) Playfully causing trouble or annoyance

5. tantalizing
Answer: (E) Tempting or provoking desire

6. determination
Answer: (A) Firmness of purpose; resoluteness

7. ventured
Answer: (C) Set out on a risky or daring journey

8. scoured
Answer: (N) Searched thoroughly or vigorously

9. overjoyed
Answer: (L) Extremely happy or delighted

10. perseverance
Answer: (O) Steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay

11. summit
Answer: (G) The highest point or top of a mountain

12. sacred
Answer: (F) Regarded with great respect and reverence

13. descended
Answer: (I) Moved downward from a higher to a lower level

14. transformed
Answer: (K) Changed in form, character, or function

15. inspiring
Answer: (M) Motivating or encouraging others to take action or create something
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What was the unique power possessed by the Marshmallow Mountains?
Answer: (a) The ability to speak to animals

2. Who did Lily encounter on her journey to the Marshmallow Mountains?
Answer: (b) Oliver the rabbit and Nutmeg the squirrel

3. What did Oliver reveal to Lily about reaching the top of the tallest mountain?
Answer: (c) The secret recipe for everlasting marshmallows

4. How did Lily help Nutmeg the squirrel?
Answer: (c) By helping her find her lost acorn

5. What did Lily learn from her encounters with the wise owl and the fast-talking fox?
Answer: (a) The importance of perseverance and thinking outside the box

6. What did Lily find at the summit of the Marshmallow Mountains?
Answer: (d) A small door that led to a hidden chamber

7. What did the magical unicorn gift Lily?
Answer: (b) The secret recipe for everlasting marshmallows

8. What did Lily do with her discovery of the secret recipe for everlasting marshmallows?
Answer: (d) She transformed it into a business and created marshmallows that never melted or grew stale
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Lily faces challenges from a wise owl and a fast-talking fox during her climb. (Answer: True)
2. The unicorn steals Lily’s sacred recipe for everlasting marshmallows and imparts a message of selfishness. (Answer: False)
3. Lily uses the recipe to create marshmallows that never melt or grow stale, building a successful business and inspiring others. (Answer: True)
4. Lily meets a mischievous rabbit named Oliver who hides the secret recipe for everlasting marshmallows. (Answer: False)
5. Lily convinces the animals of the Marshmallow Mountains to ignore a squirrel named Nutmeg looking for her lost acorn. (Answer: False)
6. Lily embarks on a journey to conquer the Marshmallow Mountains. (Answer: True)
7. The Marshmallow Mountains have the power to grant the ability to speak to animals. (Answer: True)
8. At the base of the Marshmallow Mountains, Lily discovers a hidden chamber guarded by a terrifying unicorn. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 4 stories?

Daisy the dinosaur detective and her mischievous sidekick Benny solve mysteries and teach valuable life lessons.

The Dinosaur Detective

Daisy the dinosaur detective and her mischievous sidekick Benny solve mysteries and teach valuable life lessons.

A jolly jellyfish named Finley gets lost in the deep sea but finds new friends along the way.

The Jolly Jellyfish

A jolly jellyfish named Finley gets lost in the deep sea but finds new friends along the way.

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

The Jelly Bean Tree

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

The Giant’s Garden

A giant named Greg and his mischievous kitten, Whiskers, team up to outsmart jealous goblins and restore the magic to their garden.

Captain Pete, the Polka-Dot Pirate, embarks on a treasure hunt and discovers the true meaning of sharing.

The Polka-Dot Pirate

Captain Pete, the Polka-Dot Pirate, embarks on a treasure hunt and discovers the true meaning of sharing.

A mischievous penguin named Percy and a wise snow owl named Oliver form an unbreakable friendship on their journey to the legendary "Penguin Parade."

The Penguin Parade

A mischievous penguin named Percy and a wise snow owl named Oliver form an unbreakable friendship on their journey to the legendary “Penguin Parade.”

Feedback