Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

Short Stories for Kids

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The Peculiar Peach Palace

Three friends stumble upon a magical peach palace filled with talking animals and enchanted treasures, unlocking their own creativity and joy.

Try this story at a different level?

 

Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there stood a peculiar peach palace. This palace was like no other; it was filled with magical inhabitants and enchanting surprises. One sunny morning, three adventurous friends named Max, Sam, and Mia stumbled upon the palace while exploring the nearby forest. Excitedly, they pushed open the palace’s giant doors and found themselves in a world full of wonder and whimsy.

As they ventured deeper into the palace, they encountered talking animals wearing fabulous outfits and mischievous fairies spreading laughter everywhere. The trio soon discovered that this magical place turned ordinary fruits into extraordinary treasures. In one room, they found glowing strawberries that gave hugs when you picked them, and in another, dancing pineapples that could tell jokes. The children giggled as they tasted a banana slice that made them burst into uncontrollable laughter.

However, all was not perfect inside the peach palace. There was one room that remained locked shut. The friends were determined to find the key and unlock the mystery. After hours of searching and asking the palace’s inhabitants for clues, they stumbled upon a riddle etched onto the palace walls. “In the realm of dreams, where fantasies come true, lay the key to the secret, wait for the morning dew.” Puzzled yet determined, they gathered their things and set out on an overnight sleepover adventure in the palace.

As the morning sun rose, the children woke to find a delicate spider hanging from a dew-soaked web. Excitedly, they raced to the locked room and marveled at the beauty inside. The room was filled with paintings of distant lands, poetry books, and musical instruments. It was a place for creativity and inspiration. The trio realized that the palace wanted to remind them of the magic within themselves – that they had the power to create and bring joy to the world.

The friends spent the rest of their day in the peach palace, dancing with the fairies, painting the walls with their imaginations, and even learning how to play the guitar from a wise old turtle. As the sunset, they bid farewell to their new friends and promised to return soon with more stories and laughter. Back in the real world, Max, Sam, and Mia found themselves forever changed by the peculiar peach palace. They carried its magic in their hearts, remembering that anyone can find the extraordinary in the ordinary, if only they have the courage to believe.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

1peculiarStrange or odd; unusual
2enchantedFilled with or influenced by magic
3venturedWent into an area or situation, usually with some risk or uncertainty involved
4mischievousPlayfully causing minor trouble or annoyance
5extraordinaryFar beyond what is usual, normal, or standard
6determinedHaving made a firm decision and being resolved not to change it
7riddleA question or statement intentionally phrased so as to require ingenuity in ascertaining its answer or meaning
8puzzledConfused or bewildered
9delicateVery fine in texture or structure; of intricate workmanship or quality
10marveledFelt great wonder or astonishment
11creativityThe use of the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work
12inspirationThe process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative
13imaginationThe faculty or action of forming new ideas, or images or concepts of external objects not present to the senses
14farewellA goodbye or departure, especially after a significant event or time
15courageThe ability to do something that frightens one; bravery

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Who were the three adventurous friends who stumbled upon the peach palace?
2. What made the peach palace different from other palaces?
3. What were some of the magical inhabitants and enchanting surprises the trio encountered in the palace?
4. What were some of the extraordinary treasures the trio found in the palace?
5. What was the riddle that the friends found on the palace walls?
6. How did the friends eventually find the key to the locked room?
7. What did the locked room in the palace contain?
8. How did the experience in the peach palace change Max, Sam, and Mia?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there stood a peculiar peach palace. This palace was like no other; it was filled with magical inhabitants and enchanting (1)______. One sunny morning, three adventurous friends named Max, Sam, and Mia stumbled upon the palace while exploring the nearby forest. Excitedly, they pushed open the palace’s (2)______ doors and found themselves in a world full of wonder and whimsy.

As they ventured deeper into the palace, they (3)______ talking animals wearing (4)______ outfits and mischievous fairies spreading laughter everywhere. The trio soon discovered that this magical place turned ordinary (5)______ into extraordinary treasures. In one room, they found glowing strawberries that gave hugs when you picked them, and in another, dancing pineapples that could tell jokes. The children giggled as they tasted a banana slice that made them burst into uncontrollable laughter.

However, all was not perfect inside the (6)______ palace. There was one room that remained locked shut. The friends were determined to find the key and unlock the mystery. After hours of searching and (7)______ the palace’s (8)______ for clues, they stumbled upon a riddle etched onto the palace walls. “In the realm of dreams, where fantasies come true, lay the key to the (9)______, wait for the morning dew.” Puzzled yet (10)______, they gathered their things and set out on an overnight sleepover adventure in the (11)______.

As the morning sun rose, the children woke to find a delicate spider hanging from a dew-soaked web. Excitedly, they raced to the locked room and marveled at the beauty inside. The room was filled with paintings of distant (12)______, poetry books, and musical instruments. It was a place for creativity and inspiration. The trio realized that the palace wanted to remind them of the magic within themselves – that they had the power to create and bring joy to the world.

The friends spent the rest of their day in the peach palace, dancing with the fairies, painting the walls with their imaginations, and even learning how to play the (13)______ from a wise old turtle. As the sunset, they bid farewell to their new friends and promised to return soon with more stories and laughter. Back in the real world, Max, Sam, and Mia found themselves forever (14)______ by the peculiar peach palace. They (15)______ its (16)______ in their hearts, remembering that anyone can find the extraordinary in the ordinary, if only they have the courage to believe.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your favorite magical creature from the story? Why?
2. How would you feel if you stumbled upon a palace filled with magical inhabitants and enchanting surprises?
3. Do you like the idea of fruits turning into extraordinary treasures? Why or why not?
4. Do you think it’s important to have a sense of wonder and whimsy in life? Why or why not?
5. How would you feel if you were one of the children in the story and discovered the locked room? Why?
6. What do you think the riddle means? Why?
7. Have you ever had a sleepover adventure? If so, can you share your experience?
8. How do you think the children felt when they woke up and saw the delicate spider with the dew-soaked web? Why?
9. If you could have a room filled with creativity and inspiration, what would you include in it? Why?
10. Have you ever had a life-changing experience? If so, can you share it?
11. What do you think the phrase “finding the extraordinary in the ordinary” means? Why?
12. Do you believe that anyone can find magic in their lives? Why or why not?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. peculiar
2. enchanted
3. ventured
4. mischievous
5. extraordinary
6. determined
7. riddle
8. puzzled
9. delicate
10. marveled
11. creativity
12. inspiration
13. imagination
14. farewell
15. courage

Meanings:
(A) Strange or odd; unusual
(B) A question or statement intentionally phrased so as to require ingenuity in ascertaining its answer or meaning
(C) The faculty or action of forming new ideas, or images or concepts of external objects not present to the senses
(D) Filled with or influenced by magic
(E) Very fine in texture or structure; of intricate workmanship or quality
(F) Playfully causing minor trouble or annoyance
(G) Far beyond what is usual, normal, or standard
(H) The use of the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work
(I) Having made a firm decision and being resolved not to change it
(J) The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative
(K) A goodbye or departure, especially after a significant event or time
(L) The ability to do something that frightens one; bravery
(M) Confused or bewildered
(N) Went into an area or situation, usually with some risk or uncertainty involved
(O) Felt great wonder or astonishment
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What did the children find in the peach palace?
(a) Magical inhabitants and enchanting surprises
(b) Talking animals wearing fabulous outfits
(c) Glowing strawberries that gave hugs
(d) All of the above

2. What did the banana slice do to the children?
(a) Made them cry
(b) Made them fall asleep
(c) Made them sneeze
(d) Made them burst into uncontrollable laughter

3. What did the riddle say about the key to the locked room?
(a) It could be found in the morning dew
(b) It could be found in the realm of dreams
(c) It could be found in the palace walls
(d) All of the above

4. How did the children find the key to the locked room?
(a) They asked the palace’s inhabitants for clues
(b) They found it hidden in a painting
(c) They found it in a treasure chest
(d) They found a delicate spider hanging from a dew-soaked web

5. What did the locked room in the peach palace contain?
(a) Talking animals wearing fabulous outfits
(b) Glowing strawberries that gave hugs
(c) Paintings of distant lands, poetry books, and musical instruments
(d) Dancing pineapples that could tell jokes

6. What did the children learn from their experience in the peach palace?
(a) They had the power to create and bring joy to the world
(b) Anyone can find the extraordinary in the ordinary
(c) The magic within themselves
(d) All of the above

7. How did the children spend their day in the peach palace?
(a) Painting the walls with their imaginations
(b) Learning how to play the guitar from a wise old turtle
(c) Dancing with fairies
(d) All of the above

8. How did the children feel about their experience in the peach palace?
(a) Frustrated
(b) Forever changed
(c) Disappointed
(d) Confused

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Max, Sam, and Mia intentionally seek out the palace while exploring the nearby forest.
2. Inside the locked room, they find paintings of distant lands, poetry books, and musical instruments.
3. The palace turns ordinary fruits into extraordinary treasures.
4. The peach palace is filled with magical inhabitants and enchanting surprises.
5. Max, Sam, and Mia are forever changed by their experience in the peach palace.
6. They find a map etched onto the palace walls that leads them to the key.
7. The trio learns that the palace wants them to forget about the magic within themselves.
8. The trio stumbles upon an unlocked room in the palace and decides to leave it be.
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. Who were the three adventurous friends who stumbled upon the peach palace?
Max, Sam, and Mia.

2. What made the peach palace different from other palaces?
The peach palace was filled with magical inhabitants and enchanting surprises.

3. What were some of the magical inhabitants and enchanting surprises the trio encountered in the palace?
Talking animals wearing fabulous outfits, mischievous fairies spreading laughter, glowing strawberries that gave hugs, dancing pineapples that could tell jokes, and a banana slice that made them burst into uncontrollable laughter.

4. What were some of the extraordinary treasures the trio found in the palace?
Glowing strawberries that gave hugs, dancing pineapples that could tell jokes, and a banana slice that made them burst into uncontrollable laughter.

5. What was the riddle that the friends found on the palace walls?
“In the realm of dreams, where fantasies come true, lay the key to the secret, wait for the morning dew.”

6. How did the friends eventually find the key to the locked room?
They found a delicate spider hanging from a dew-soaked web in the morning.

7. What did the locked room in the palace contain?
The locked room contained paintings of distant lands, poetry books, and musical instruments. It was a place for creativity and inspiration.

8. How did the experience in the peach palace change Max, Sam, and Mia?
The experience in the peach palace reminded them of the magic within themselves and that they had the power to create and bring joy to the world. They carried the palace’s magic in their hearts and were forever changed by it.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) surprises
(2) giant
(3) encountered
(4) fabulous
(5) fruits
(6) peach
(7) asking
(8) inhabitants
(9) secret
(10) determined
(11) palace
(12) lands
(13) guitar
(14) changed
(15) carried
(16) magic
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. peculiar
Answer: (A) Strange or odd; unusual

2. enchanted
Answer: (D) Filled with or influenced by magic

3. ventured
Answer: (N) Went into an area or situation, usually with some risk or uncertainty involved

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

5. extraordinary
Answer: (G) Far beyond what is usual, normal, or standard

6. determined
Answer: (I) Having made a firm decision and being resolved not to change it

7. riddle
Answer: (B) A question or statement intentionally phrased so as to require ingenuity in ascertaining its answer or meaning

8. puzzled
Answer: (M) Confused or bewildered

9. delicate
Answer: (E) Very fine in texture or structure; of intricate workmanship or quality

10. marveled
Answer: (O) Felt great wonder or astonishment

11. creativity
Answer: (H) The use of the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work

12. inspiration
Answer: (J) The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative

13. imagination
Answer: (C) The faculty or action of forming new ideas, or images or concepts of external objects not present to the senses

14. farewell
Answer: (K) A goodbye or departure, especially after a significant event or time

15. courage
Answer: (L) The ability to do something that frightens one; bravery
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What did the children find in the peach palace?
Answer: (a) Magical inhabitants and enchanting surprises

2. What did the banana slice do to the children?
Answer: (d) Made them burst into uncontrollable laughter

3. What did the riddle say about the key to the locked room?
Answer: (b) It could be found in the realm of dreams

4. How did the children find the key to the locked room?
Answer: (d) They found a delicate spider hanging from a dew-soaked web

5. What did the locked room in the peach palace contain?
Answer: (c) Paintings of distant lands, poetry books, and musical instruments

6. What did the children learn from their experience in the peach palace?
Answer: (a) They had the power to create and bring joy to the world

7. How did the children spend their day in the peach palace?
Answer: (c) Dancing with fairies

8. How did the children feel about their experience in the peach palace?
Answer: (b) Forever changed
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Max, Sam, and Mia intentionally seek out the palace while exploring the nearby forest. (Answer: False)
2. Inside the locked room, they find paintings of distant lands, poetry books, and musical instruments. (Answer: True)
3. The palace turns ordinary fruits into extraordinary treasures. (Answer: True)
4. The peach palace is filled with magical inhabitants and enchanting surprises. (Answer: True)
5. Max, Sam, and Mia are forever changed by their experience in the peach palace. (Answer: True)
6. They find a map etched onto the palace walls that leads them to the key. (Answer: False)
7. The trio learns that the palace wants them to forget about the magic within themselves. (Answer: False)
8. The trio stumbles upon an unlocked room in the palace and decides to leave it be. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 4 stories?

Penelope, the brave pirate princess, embarks on daring adventures, outsmarting sea monsters, cunning pirates, and even making a wish with a magical Golden Mermaid.

The Pirate Princess

Penelope, the brave pirate princess, embarks on daring adventures, outsmarting sea monsters, cunning pirates, and even making a wish with a magical Golden Mermaid.

The Land of Flying Pancakes

In the magical land of Pancakeland, a brave girl named Lily embarks on a quest to find the legendary Pancake Mountain and teaches the importance of sharing and gratitude.

In a small village nestled deep in a magical forest, a little girl named Lily discovers a talking teapot with the power to grant wishes.

The Talking Teapot

In a small village nestled deep in a magical forest, a little girl named Lily discovers a talking teapot with the power to grant wishes.

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