Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

Short Stories for Kids

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The Patchwork Path

A little girl named Lily embarks on a magical adventure along the Patchwork Path.

Try this story at a different level?

 

Once upon a time, in a small village surrounded by lush green fields, there lived a little girl named Lily. Lily was a curious and imaginative child who loved exploring the world around her. One day, while rummaging through her grandmother’s trunk in the attic, she discovered a colorful patchwork blanket. Intrigued, she asked her grandmother about its origin. Her grandmother smiled and said that it was a special path, made from different scraps of fabric, that would lead her on a wonderful adventure.

With the blanket wrapped around her shoulders, Lily stepped onto the Patchwork Path. Instantly, she felt a surge of excitement and the path began to twist and turn before her eyes. It led her through enchanting forests, across sparkling rivers, and up majestic mountains. Lily giggled with joy as she met friendly talking animals, discovered hidden treasures, and solved riddles along the way.

But as the days passed, the path became more challenging, and Lily found herself facing obstacles that tested her courage and determination. One day, she encountered a deep chasm blocking her path. Just as she was about to give up, a mischievous squirrel named Sammy appeared and offered to help. He tied a rope to a nearby tree trunk and swung across the chasm, urging Lily to follow. With a deep breath, she swung across, clinging tightly to the rope and safely made it to the other side.

As Lily continued her journey, she stumbled upon a mysterious cave. Inside, she could hear haunting whispers and see eerie shadows dancing on the walls. Fear gripped her heart, but she remembered her grandmother’s words – “The Patchwork Path will only lead you to greatness if you have faith in yourself.” Encouraged, Lily bravely stepped forward into the darkness, lighting her path with her own strength and courage.

Finally, after many twists and turns, Lily reached the end of the Patchwork Path. Standing on top of a hill, she looked out and saw a breathtaking view of her village. She realized that the Patchwork Path had led her right back to where she started, but she was not the same little girl anymore. She had grown in countless ways during her grand adventure.

Lily hurried back home, bursting with stories to share with her family. As she told them of the talking animals, hidden treasures, and the challenges she had overcome, her family listened in awe. Lily’s younger sister, Sophie, was particularly inspired. She vowed to embark on her own adventure someday, knowing that the Patchwork Path held endless possibilities for those who had the courage to believe in themselves.

And so, the Patchwork Path remained in the attic, patiently waiting for the next curious child to discover its magic and embark on an extraordinary journey of their own.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

1curiousHaving a strong desire to know or learn something
2rummagingSearching unsystematically and untidily through a mass or receptacle
3patchworkMade up of an assortment of pieces or fragments sewn together
4enchantingCaptivating and charming, often in a seemingly magical way
5majesticHaving an impressively beautiful or dignified appearance
6riddlesPuzzles or conundrums that require ingenuity to solve
7obstaclesDifficulties that impede progress or movement
8chasmA deep fissure in the earth’s surface
9mischievousPlayfully causing minor trouble or annoyance
10eerieStrange and frightening, especially because of seeming unworldly
11determinationFirmness of purpose and the will to achieve a particular goal
12greatnessThe quality of being very good and deserving admiration
13breathtakingSo beautiful or impressive that it takes one’s breath away
14inspiredFilled with the urge or ability to do something creative or constructive
15embarkTo begin a journey or venture

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What did Lily find in her grandmother’s trunk in the attic?
2. How did Lily feel when she stepped onto the Patchwork Path?
3. What kind of obstacles did Lily face on her journey?
4. How did Sammy help Lily cross the chasm?
5. What did Lily remember when she entered the mysterious cave?
6. Where did Lily end up after following the Patchwork Path?
7. What did Lily’s family think of her stories?
8. What did Sophie vow to do after hearing Lily’s stories?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time, in a small village surrounded by lush green fields, there lived a little girl named Lily. Lily was a curious and imaginative child who loved exploring the world around her. One day, while rummaging through her grandmother’s trunk in the attic, she discovered a colorful patchwork (1)______. Intrigued, she asked her grandmother about its origin. Her grandmother smiled and said that it was a special path, made from different (2)______ of fabric, that would lead her on a wonderful adventure.

With the blanket wrapped around her shoulders, Lily stepped onto the Patchwork Path. Instantly, she felt a surge of (3)______ and the path (4)______ to twist and turn before her eyes. It led her through (5)______ forests, across sparkling rivers, and up majestic mountains. Lily giggled with joy as she met friendly talking animals, discovered hidden treasures, and solved riddles along the way.

But as the days passed, the path became more challenging, and Lily found herself facing obstacles that tested her courage and (6)______. One day, she (7)______ a deep chasm blocking her path. Just as she was about to give up, a mischievous squirrel named Sammy appeared and offered to help. He tied a rope to a nearby tree trunk and swung across the chasm, urging Lily to (8)______. With a deep breath, she swung across, clinging tightly to the rope and safely made it to the other side.

As Lily continued her journey, she (9)______ upon a mysterious cave. Inside, she could hear haunting whispers and see eerie shadows dancing on the (10)______. Fear gripped her heart, but she remembered her grandmother’s words – “The Patchwork Path will only lead you to greatness if you have faith in yourself.” Encouraged, Lily bravely stepped forward into the darkness, lighting her path with her own strength and courage.

Finally, after many (11)______ and (12)______, Lily reached the end of the Patchwork Path. Standing on top of a hill, she looked out and saw a breathtaking view of her village. She realized that the Patchwork Path had led her right back to where she started, but she was not the same little girl anymore. She had grown in countless ways during her grand adventure.

Lily hurried back home, bursting with (13)______ to share with her family. As she told them of the talking animals, hidden treasures, and the challenges she had overcome, her family listened in awe. Lily’s younger sister, Sophie, was particularly inspired. She (14)______ to embark on her own adventure someday, knowing that the Patchwork Path held endless possibilities for those who had the courage to (15)______ in themselves.

And so, the Patchwork Path remained in the (16)______, patiently waiting for the next curious child to discover its magic and embark on an extraordinary journey of their own.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your favorite childhood memory of exploring the world around you?
2. How would you feel if you found a magical object that could take you on an adventure?
3. Do you believe in the power of imagination? Why or why not?
4. What do you think the Patchwork Path symbolizes in the story?
5. How would you react if you encountered talking animals on your own adventure?
6. Do you think it’s important to face challenges in order to grow as a person? Why or why not?
7. What would you do if you were faced with a seemingly impossible obstacle like a deep chasm?
8. Have you ever had to overcome a fear in order to achieve something? Can you share your experience?
9. Do you think it’s possible to find greatness within yourself? Why or why not?
10. How would you describe the feeling of accomplishment after completing a difficult journey?
11. Do you think it’s important to share your experiences and stories with others? Why or why not?
12. If you were to embark on your own adventure, where would you go and what would you hope to discover?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. curious
2. rummaging
3. patchwork
4. enchanting
5. majestic
6. riddles
7. obstacles
8. chasm
9. mischievous
10. eerie
11. determination
12. greatness
13. breathtaking
14. inspired
15. embark

Meanings:
(A) The quality of being very good and deserving admiration
(B) To begin a journey or venture
(C) Puzzles or conundrums that require ingenuity to solve
(D) Captivating and charming, often in a seemingly magical way
(E) Firmness of purpose and the will to achieve a particular goal
(F) Having an impressively beautiful or dignified appearance
(G) Difficulties that impede progress or movement
(H) Playfully causing minor trouble or annoyance
(I) Strange and frightening, especially because of seeming unworldly
(J) Having a strong desire to know or learn something
(K) Searching unsystematically and untidily through a mass or receptacle
(L) Filled with the urge or ability to do something creative or constructive
(M) A deep fissure in the earth’s surface
(N) Made up of an assortment of pieces or fragments sewn together
(O) So beautiful or impressive that it takes one’s breath away
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What did Lily find in her grandmother’s trunk?
(a) A secret map
(b) A treasure chest
(c) A dusty old book
(d) A colorful patchwork blanket

2. What did Lily feel when she stepped onto the Patchwork Path?
(a) Excitement
(b) Fear
(c) Boredom
(d) Confusion

3. Who helped Lily cross the deep chasm?
(a) A friendly deer
(b) Her grandmother
(c) Sammy the squirrel
(d) A talking bird

4. What did Lily use to light her way in the mysterious cave?
(a) A flashlight
(b) Her own strength and courage
(c) A lantern
(d) A magical crystal

5. Where did Lily end up after following the Patchwork Path?
(a) Back in her village
(b) In a different country
(c) In a magical kingdom
(d) In a hidden cave

6. How did Lily’s family react when she shared her stories?
(a) They didn’t believe her
(b) They were bored
(c) They listened in awe
(d) They laughed at her

7. Who was inspired by Lily’s adventure?
(a) Her grandmother
(b) Her best friend
(c) Sammy the squirrel
(d) Sophie, her younger sister

8. What did the Patchwork Path do while waiting in the attic?
(a) It disappeared
(b) It patiently waited for the next curious child
(c) It turned into a regular blanket
(d) It started to unravel

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Sammy, a mischievous squirrel, helps Lily cross a deep chasm blocking her path.
2. The patchwork blanket is actually a special path that leads to an adventure.
3. Lily discovers a plain patchwork blanket in her grandmother’s trunk in the attic.
4. Lily nervously enters a mysterious cave despite her fear, relying on her own strength and courage.
5. The Patchwork Path takes Lily through ordinary forests, murky rivers, and mediocre mountains.
6. The Patchwork Path leads Lily back to her village, but she has grown and changed from her grand adventure.
7. Lily meets friendly talking animals, discovers hidden treasures, and solves riddles along the way.
8. The path becomes less challenging as Lily continues her journey.
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 did Lily find in her grandmother’s trunk in the attic?
Lily found a colorful patchwork blanket.

2. How did Lily feel when she stepped onto the Patchwork Path?
Lily felt a surge of excitement.

3. What kind of obstacles did Lily face on her journey?
Lily faced obstacles such as a deep chasm and a mysterious cave.

4. How did Sammy help Lily cross the chasm?
Sammy tied a rope to a nearby tree trunk and swung across the chasm, urging Lily to follow.

5. What did Lily remember when she entered the mysterious cave?
Lily remembered her grandmother’s words – “The Patchwork Path will only lead you to greatness if you have faith in yourself.”

6. Where did Lily end up after following the Patchwork Path?
Lily ended up back in her village, on top of a hill with a breathtaking view.

7. What did Lily’s family think of her stories?
Lily’s family listened in awe to her stories.

8. What did Sophie vow to do after hearing Lily’s stories?
Sophie vowed to embark on her own adventure someday, knowing that the Patchwork Path held endless possibilities for those who had the courage to believe in themselves.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) blanket
(2) scraps
(3) excitement
(4) began
(5) enchanting
(6) determination
(7) encountered
(8) follow
(9) stumbled
(10) walls
(11) twists
(12) turns
(13) stories
(14) vowed
(15) believe
(16) attic
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. curious
Answer: (J) Having a strong desire to know or learn something

2. rummaging
Answer: (K) Searching unsystematically and untidily through a mass or receptacle

3. patchwork
Answer: (N) Made up of an assortment of pieces or fragments sewn together

4. enchanting
Answer: (D) Captivating and charming, often in a seemingly magical way

5. majestic
Answer: (F) Having an impressively beautiful or dignified appearance

6. riddles
Answer: (C) Puzzles or conundrums that require ingenuity to solve

7. obstacles
Answer: (G) Difficulties that impede progress or movement

8. chasm
Answer: (M) A deep fissure in the earth’s surface

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

10. eerie
Answer: (I) Strange and frightening, especially because of seeming unworldly

11. determination
Answer: (E) Firmness of purpose and the will to achieve a particular goal

12. greatness
Answer: (A) The quality of being very good and deserving admiration

13. breathtaking
Answer: (O) So beautiful or impressive that it takes one’s breath away

14. inspired
Answer: (L) Filled with the urge or ability to do something creative or constructive

15. embark
Answer: (B) To begin a journey or venture
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What did Lily find in her grandmother’s trunk?
Answer: (d) A colorful patchwork blanket

2. What did Lily feel when she stepped onto the Patchwork Path?
Answer: (a) Excitement

3. Who helped Lily cross the deep chasm?
Answer: (c) Sammy the squirrel

4. What did Lily use to light her way in the mysterious cave?
Answer: (b) Her own strength and courage

5. Where did Lily end up after following the Patchwork Path?
Answer: (a) Back in her village

6. How did Lily’s family react when she shared her stories?
Answer: (c) They listened in awe

7. Who was inspired by Lily’s adventure?
Answer: (d) Sophie, her younger sister

8. What did the Patchwork Path do while waiting in the attic?
Answer: (b) It patiently waited for the next curious child
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Sammy, a mischievous squirrel, helps Lily cross a deep chasm blocking her path. (Answer: True)
2. The patchwork blanket is actually a special path that leads to an adventure. (Answer: True)
3. Lily discovers a plain patchwork blanket in her grandmother’s trunk in the attic. (Answer: False)
4. Lily nervously enters a mysterious cave despite her fear, relying on her own strength and courage. (Answer: False)
5. The Patchwork Path takes Lily through ordinary forests, murky rivers, and mediocre mountains. (Answer: False)
6. The Patchwork Path leads Lily back to her village, but she has grown and changed from her grand adventure. (Answer: True)
7. Lily meets friendly talking animals, discovers hidden treasures, and solves riddles along the way. (Answer: True)
8. The path becomes less challenging as Lily continues her journey. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 4 stories?

Four adventurous children discover a magical orchard filled with fruits that grant them extraordinary abilities.

The Orchard of Oddities

Four adventurous children discover a magical orchard filled with fruits that grant them extraordinary abilities.

A young princess named Isabella embarks on a quest, armed with a magical crown and a talking parrot, to find an enchanted crystal and discovers that true strength lies within herself.

The Curious Case of the Crooked Crown

A young princess named Isabella embarks on a quest, armed with a magical crown and a talking parrot, to find an enchanted crystal and discovers that true strength lies within herself.

The Friendly Dragon

A friendly dragon named Fred defies stereotypes and spreads kindness, changing perceptions one act at a time.

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