Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there lived a brave and fearless pirate princess named Penelope. Despite her royal bloodline, Penelope had always dreamt of a life of adventure on the high seas. With a heart full of courage, she set sail on her very own pirate ship, the Jolly Seahorse, determined to find hidden treasures and outsmart any rival pirates that dared to cross her path.

On one sunny day, as Penelope and her crew were sailing through the choppy waters, they spotted a giant sea monster lurking beneath the waves. The crew trembled with fear, but Penelope knew that bravery was the key to conquering any challenge. With a mischievous smirk, she devised a clever plan. Using her quick thinking, she ordered her crew to gather seashells, and with a loud boom, they fired them into the water. The sea monster, mistaking the shells for rocks, swam away in search of an easier meal. The Jolly Seahorse rejoiced, grateful for their brave and resourceful captain.

As the pirate princess continued her quest for treasure, she stumbled upon a mysterious island known for its hidden caves filled with diamonds and gold. The island was guarded by a fearsome tribe of pirates who were notorious for their cunning tricks and booby traps. Undeterred, Penelope disguised herself as a fruit vendor and charmed her way into the heart of their leader, Captain Jackal. With her silver tongue, she convinced the pirates that she had valuable information about an even greater treasure hidden on another island. While Captain Jackal and his crew set off, Penelope sneaked into the caves and collected a handsome bounty, leaving them empty-handed upon their return.

Feeling invincible, Penelope set her eyes on the grandest treasure of all – the legendary Golden Mermaid. According to tales, finding this precious artifact would grant its possessor one wish. With her shipmates by her side, they sailed across treacherous waters to reach the fabled creature. But just as they were about to lay their hands on the Golden Mermaid, a mighty storm brewed. The waves crashed against the Jolly Seahorse, threatening to swallow it whole. In a desperate bid to save her crew, Penelope made her wish – not for riches, but for their safe return home.

In an instant, the storm ceased, and a magical glow enveloped the pirate princess and her ship. The Golden Mermaid transformed into a shimmering guardian angel, guiding them back to safety. As Penelope and her crew returned to their land, a newfound understanding had dawned upon them – that the most precious treasure of all was the love and loyalty they shared. From that day forward, Penelope continued to sail the seas, not just as a fierce pirate princess, but also as a shining example of strength, bravery, and compassion.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What did Penelope dream of instead of a life of royalty?
2. How did Penelope outsmart the sea monster?
3. What was the island known for?
4. How did Penelope convince Captain Jackal to leave the island?
5. What did Penelope wish for when they were about to reach the Golden Mermaid?
6. How did the Golden Mermaid help Penelope and her crew?
7. What did Penelope and her crew realize was the most precious treasure?
8. How did Penelope continue to be a shining example after their adventure?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there lived a brave and fearless pirate princess named Penelope. Despite her royal bloodline, Penelope had always dreamt of a life of (1)______ on the high seas. With a heart full of courage, she set sail on her very own pirate ship, the Jolly Seahorse, determined to find hidden treasures and outsmart any rival (2)______ that dared to cross her path.

On one sunny day, as Penelope and her crew were sailing through the choppy waters, they spotted a giant sea monster lurking beneath the waves. The crew trembled with fear, but Penelope knew that bravery was the key to (3)______ any challenge. With a (4)______ smirk, she devised a clever plan. Using her quick thinking, she ordered her crew to gather (5)______, and with a loud boom, they fired them into the water. The sea monster, mistaking the shells for rocks, swam away in search of an easier meal. The Jolly (6)______ rejoiced, grateful for their brave and resourceful captain.

As the pirate princess continued her quest for treasure, she stumbled upon a mysterious island known for its hidden caves filled with diamonds and gold. The island was guarded by a fearsome tribe of pirates who were notorious for their (7)______ tricks and booby (8)______. Undeterred, Penelope disguised herself as a fruit vendor and charmed her way into the heart of their leader, Captain Jackal. With her silver tongue, she convinced the pirates that she had valuable information about an even greater treasure hidden on another island. While Captain Jackal and his crew set off, Penelope sneaked into the caves and collected a handsome (9)______, leaving them empty-handed upon their return.

Feeling invincible, Penelope set her eyes on the grandest treasure of all – the legendary Golden Mermaid. According to tales, finding this precious artifact would (10)______ its possessor one wish. With her (11)______ by her side, they sailed across treacherous waters to reach the fabled creature. But just as they were about to lay their hands on the Golden Mermaid, a mighty storm brewed. The waves (12)______ against the Jolly Seahorse, threatening to (13)______ it whole. In a desperate bid to save her crew, Penelope made her wish – not for (14)______, but for their safe return home.

In an instant, the storm ceased, and a magical glow (15)______ the pirate princess and her ship. The Golden Mermaid transformed into a shimmering guardian angel, guiding them back to safety. As Penelope and her crew returned to their land, a newfound understanding had (16)______ upon them – that the most precious treasure of all was the love and loyalty they shared. From that day forward, Penelope continued to sail the seas, not just as a fierce pirate princess, but also as a shining example of strength, bravery, and compassion.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What do you think it means to be a “brave and fearless” person?
2. Have you ever dreamt of a life of adventure? If so, what kind of adventures did you imagine?
3. How would you feel if you were faced with a giant sea monster? What would you do?
4. Do you think quick thinking is an important skill to have? Why or why not?
5. Have you ever had to disguise yourself or pretend to be someone else? How did it make you feel?
6. What do you think it means to have a “silver tongue”? Do you think it’s a useful skill to have?
7. If you could have one wish, what would you wish for? Why?
8. How do you think the pirate princess felt when she made her wish for her crew’s safe return home?
9. Do you believe in guardian angels or supernatural beings? Why or why not?
10. What do you think is the most precious treasure in life? Why?
11. How do you think the pirate princess changed as a person throughout the story?
12. If you were to write your own adventure story, what kind of character would you create and what kind of adventures would they have?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. adventure
2. fearless
3. treasure
4. lurking
5. trembled
6. mischievous
7. resourceful
8. notorious
9. cunning
10. disguised
11. booby traps
12. invincible
13. treacherous
14. artifact
15. loyalty

Meanings:
(A) Having no fear; brave
(B) Dangerous or hazardous; deceitfully tricky
(C) Changed one’s appearance or dress to conceal one’s identity
(D) Devices or setups designed to catch or surprise an unwary person
(E) An object made by a human being, typically one of cultural or historical interest
(F) Shook involuntarily, typically as a result of fear or anxiety
(G) Incapable of being conquered, defeated, or subdued
(H) Able to deal skillfully and promptly with new situations
(I) Showing skill in achieving one’s ends by deceit or evasion
(J) Playfully naughty or troublesome
(K) Present but hidden; waiting in secret or ambush
(L) Valuable items such as gold, silver, or precious stones
(M) Well known for some bad quality or deed
(N) An exciting and risky journey or experience
(O) The quality of being faithful and devoted to someone or something
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What was the name of Penelope’s pirate ship?
(a) The Brave Buccaneer
(b) The Fearless Falcon
(c) The Daring Dolphin
(d) The Jolly Seahorse

2. How did Penelope scare away the sea monster?
(a) By singing a lullaby
(b) By throwing her crown at it
(c) By firing seashells into the water
(d) By hiding in a barrel

3. How did Penelope trick Captain Jackal and his crew?
(a) By challenging them to a duel
(b) By stealing their treasure map
(c) By disguising herself as a fruit vendor
(d) By offering them a fake treasure map

4. What did Penelope wish for when she found the Golden Mermaid?
(a) For unlimited wealth and riches
(b) For the safe return of her crew
(c) For the power to control the seas
(d) For the ability to fly

5. What did Penelope learn was the most precious treasure of all?
(a) The love and loyalty she shared with her crew
(b) The Golden Mermaid
(c) The diamonds and gold in the hidden caves
(d) The sea monster lurking beneath the waves

6. What did Penelope’s crew think of her after their adventure?
(a) They were jealous of her treasure
(b) They admired her strength, bravery, and compassion
(c) They thought she was a terrible captain
(d) They didn’t trust her anymore

7. What did Penelope use to guide her ship safely back home?
(a) The Golden Mermaid, transformed into a guardian angel
(b) A treasure map she found on the mysterious island
(c) Her intuition and navigational skills
(d) A magical compass

8. How did Penelope continue to sail the seas after her adventure?
(a) As a humble fisherman
(b) As a treasure hunter, searching for more riches
(c) As a captain of a merchant ship
(d) As a fierce pirate princess and a shining example of strength, bravery, and compassion

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Penelope sets her sights on finding a regular Mermaid, which grants one wish to its possessor.
2. The Golden Mermaid transforms into a demon and misleads Penelope and her crew into danger, teaching them the true value of deceit and betrayal.
3. Penelope disguises herself as a fruit vendor to gain access to a mysterious island guarded by cunning pirates.
4. A mighty storm threatens Penelope and her crew as they are about to reach the Golden Mermaid, but Penelope makes a wish for their safe return home.
5. Penelope sets sail on her own pirate ship, the Jolly Seahorse, in search of ordinary treasures.
6. Penelope tricks the pirates into leaving the island empty-handed and collects a handsome bounty of diamonds and gold.
7. Penelope encounters a sea monster while sailing and cleverly scares it away with seashells.
8. Penelope is a princess who dreams of a life of adventure on the high seas.
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 Penelope dream of instead of a life of royalty?
Penelope dreamt of a life of adventure on the high seas.

2. How did Penelope outsmart the sea monster?
Penelope ordered her crew to gather seashells and they fired them into the water, tricking the sea monster into thinking they were rocks.

3. What was the island known for?
The island was known for its hidden caves filled with diamonds and gold.

4. How did Penelope convince Captain Jackal to leave the island?
Penelope disguised herself as a fruit vendor and charmed her way into the heart of Captain Jackal, convincing him that she had valuable information about an even greater treasure on another island.

5. What did Penelope wish for when they were about to reach the Golden Mermaid?
Penelope wished for the safe return home of her crew.

6. How did the Golden Mermaid help Penelope and her crew?
The Golden Mermaid transformed into a shimmering guardian angel and guided them back to safety during a storm.

7. What did Penelope and her crew realize was the most precious treasure?
They realized that the most precious treasure was the love and loyalty they shared.

8. How did Penelope continue to be a shining example after their adventure?
Penelope continued to sail the seas, not just as a fierce pirate princess, but also as a shining example of strength, bravery, and compassion.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) adventure
(2) pirates
(3) conquering
(4) mischievous
(5) seashells
(6) Seahorse
(7) cunning
(8) traps
(9) bounty
(10) grant
(11) shipmates
(12) crashed
(13) swallow
(14) riches
(15) enveloped
(16) dawned
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. adventure
Answer: (N) An exciting and risky journey or experience

2. fearless
Answer: (A) Having no fear; brave

3. treasure
Answer: (L) Valuable items such as gold, silver, or precious stones

4. lurking
Answer: (K) Present but hidden; waiting in secret or ambush

5. trembled
Answer: (F) Shook involuntarily, typically as a result of fear or anxiety

6. mischievous
Answer: (J) Playfully naughty or troublesome

7. resourceful
Answer: (H) Able to deal skillfully and promptly with new situations

8. notorious
Answer: (M) Well known for some bad quality or deed

9. cunning
Answer: (I) Showing skill in achieving one’s ends by deceit or evasion

10. disguised
Answer: (C) Changed one’s appearance or dress to conceal one’s identity

11. booby traps
Answer: (D) Devices or setups designed to catch or surprise an unwary person

12. invincible
Answer: (G) Incapable of being conquered, defeated, or subdued

13. treacherous
Answer: (B) Dangerous or hazardous; deceitfully tricky

14. artifact
Answer: (E) An object made by a human being, typically one of cultural or historical interest

15. loyalty
Answer: (O) The quality of being faithful and devoted to someone or something
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What was the name of Penelope’s pirate ship?
Answer: (d) The Jolly Seahorse

2. How did Penelope scare away the sea monster?
Answer: (c) By firing seashells into the water

3. How did Penelope trick Captain Jackal and his crew?
Answer: (c) By disguising herself as a fruit vendor

4. What did Penelope wish for when she found the Golden Mermaid?
Answer: (b) For the safe return of her crew

5. What did Penelope learn was the most precious treasure of all?
Answer: (a) The love and loyalty she shared with her crew

6. What did Penelope’s crew think of her after their adventure?
Answer: (b) They admired her strength, bravery, and compassion

7. What did Penelope use to guide her ship safely back home?
Answer: (a) The Golden Mermaid, transformed into a guardian angel

8. How did Penelope continue to sail the seas after her adventure?
Answer: (d) As a fierce pirate princess and a shining example of strength, bravery, and compassion
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Penelope sets her sights on finding a regular Mermaid, which grants one wish to its possessor. (Answer: False)
2. The Golden Mermaid transforms into a demon and misleads Penelope and her crew into danger, teaching them the true value of deceit and betrayal. (Answer: False)
3. Penelope disguises herself as a fruit vendor to gain access to a mysterious island guarded by cunning pirates. (Answer: True)
4. A mighty storm threatens Penelope and her crew as they are about to reach the Golden Mermaid, but Penelope makes a wish for their safe return home. (Answer: True)
5. Penelope sets sail on her own pirate ship, the Jolly Seahorse, in search of ordinary treasures. (Answer: False)
6. Penelope tricks the pirates into leaving the island empty-handed and collects a handsome bounty of diamonds and gold. (Answer: True)
7. Penelope encounters a sea monster while sailing and cleverly scares it away with seashells. (Answer: True)
8. Penelope is a princess who dreams of a life of adventure on the high seas. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧