Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

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Short Stories for Kids

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The Polka-Dot Pirate

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

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Once upon a time, there was a pirate named Captain Pete who was known far and wide as the Polka-Dot Pirate. He was not your ordinary pirate, for he had a peculiar love for all things polka-dot. From his hat to his shoes, everything he wore was covered in colorful dots. This always made his crew, which consisted of parrots and monkeys, chuckle with amusement. They would often tease him by hiding polka-dotted treasures for him to find.

One day, Captain Pete heard a rumor about a treasure hidden on a faraway island called Dottilandia. Legend had it that this treasure was covered in the rarest polka-dots in the whole wide world. Without hesitation, the captain set sail, his heart pounding with excitement. As they reached the island, they encountered a tribe of polka-dotted monkeys who claimed to be the guardians of the treasure.

The monkeys challenged Captain Pete and his crew to solve a riddle before they would reveal the treasure’s location. Taking a deep breath, the captain and his crew put on their thinking caps. After scratching their heads for what seemed like hours, the parrot suddenly squawked the correct answer. The monkeys were so impressed by the pirate’s intelligence that they not only revealed the treasure but also awarded Captain Pete a brand new polka-dotted hat.

With the treasure in hand and his crew dancing in joy, the Polka-Dot Pirate happily headed back towards his ship. Just as they were about to set sail, a knock was heard coming from inside the treasure chest. Captain Pete hesitantly opened it and to his surprise, a tiny polka-dotted snail poked its head out. The snail, named Spotty, introduced himself as the keeper of the treasure.

Spotty explained that the treasure was not meant to be hoarded but was meant to be shared with everyone. Captain Pete understood the meaning behind Spotty’s words and decided to turn his ship into a floating polka-dotted carnival. From that day forward, the Polka-Dot Pirate sailed the seas, bringing joy and smiles to all he encountered. He taught everyone the importance of sharing and making others happy. And so, the legend of the Polka-Dot Pirate lived on, reminding us that kindness and laughter can turn any adventure into a treasure worth seeking.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

1peculiarStrange or unusual in a way that is unexpected or difficult to understand
2chuckleLaugh quietly or inwardly
3teaseTo make fun of someone in a playful or unkind way
4rumorA piece of unverified information of uncertain origin usually spread by word of mouth
5legendA traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but not authenticated
6hesitationThe action of pausing before saying or doing something
7guardiansPeople who protect or look after something
8riddleA question or statement intentionally phrased to require ingenuity in ascertaining its answer or meaning
9intelligenceThe ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills
10impressedTo feel admiration or approval for something or someone
11hesitantlyIn a reluctant or nervous manner
12hoardedAccumulated and stored away, often secretly
13carnivalA festive occasion with music, processions, and often having an element of masquerade
14encounteredCame upon or met, especially unexpectedly
15kindnessThe quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What made Captain Pete different from other pirates?
2. How did Captain Pete’s crew tease him?
3. What did Captain Pete hear about a faraway island called Dottilandia?
4. Who challenged Captain Pete and his crew to solve a riddle?
5. How did the parrot help Captain Pete and his crew solve the riddle?
6. What did the monkeys give Captain Pete as a reward for solving the riddle?
7. What surprise did Captain Pete find inside the treasure chest?
8. What did Captain Pete decide to do with the treasure after hearing Spotty’s words?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time, there was a (1)______ named Captain Pete who was known far and wide as the Polka-Dot Pirate. He was not your ordinary pirate, for he had a peculiar love for all (2)______ polka-dot. From his hat to his shoes, everything he wore was covered in colorful dots. This always made his crew, which consisted of parrots and monkeys, chuckle with (3)______. They would often tease him by (4)______ polka-dotted treasures for him to find.

One day, Captain Pete heard a rumor about a treasure hidden on a faraway island called Dottilandia. Legend had it that this treasure was covered in the rarest polka-dots in the whole wide world. Without hesitation, the (5)______ set sail, his heart pounding with excitement. As they reached the island, they encountered a tribe of polka-dotted monkeys who (6)______ to be the guardians of the treasure.

The monkeys challenged Captain Pete and his crew to solve a riddle before they would reveal the treasure’s location. Taking a deep breath, the captain and his crew put on their (7)______ caps. After scratching their heads for what seemed like hours, the parrot suddenly (8)______ the correct answer. The monkeys were so (9)______ by the pirate’s intelligence that they not only revealed the treasure but also awarded Captain Pete a brand new polka-dotted hat.

With the treasure in hand and his crew dancing in joy, the Polka-Dot Pirate happily headed back towards his ship. Just as they were about to set sail, a knock was heard coming from inside the treasure chest. Captain Pete hesitantly opened it and to his surprise, a tiny polka-dotted (10)______ poked its head out. The snail, named Spotty, (11)______ himself as the (12)______ of the treasure.

Spotty (13)______ that the treasure was not meant to be hoarded but was meant to be shared with everyone. Captain Pete understood the meaning behind Spotty’s words and decided to turn his ship into a floating polka-dotted (14)______. From that day forward, the Polka-Dot Pirate sailed the seas, (15)______ joy and smiles to all he encountered. He taught everyone the importance of sharing and making others happy. And so, the legend of the Polka-Dot Pirate lived on, reminding us that kindness and laughter can turn any adventure into a treasure (16)______ seeking.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a polka-dot? Why do you think Captain Pete loved polka-dots so much?
2. How would you feel if you were a member of Captain Pete’s crew? Would you tease him or support his love for polka-dots? Why or why not?
3. Do you think it’s important for a pirate to be intelligent? Why or why not?
4. How would you feel if you were Captain Pete and the monkeys challenged you to solve a riddle? Would you feel confident or nervous? Why?
5. Do you like the idea of a floating polka-dotted carnival? Why or why not?
6. How would you feel if you were the tiny polka-dotted snail, Spotty? Would you be happy to be the keeper of the treasure? Why or why not?
7. Do you think it’s important to share? Why or why not?
8. How would you feel if you were one of the people who encountered the Polka-Dot Pirate and his floating carnival? Would you be happy or confused? Why?
9. What do you think the treasure in the story represents? Why?
10. How would you feel if you were a polka-dotted monkey on Dottilandia? Would you be proud to be a guardian of the treasure? Why or why not?
11. Do you think it’s important to make others happy? Why or why not?
12. How would you feel if you were Captain Pete and you realized the true meaning behind the treasure? Would you be grateful or regretful? Why?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. peculiar
2. chuckle
3. tease
4. rumor
5. legend
6. hesitation
7. guardians
8. riddle
9. intelligence
10. impressed
11. hesitantly
12. hoarded
13. carnival
14. encountered
15. kindness

Meanings:
(A) Laugh quietly or inwardly
(B) The ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills
(C) People who protect or look after something
(D) To feel admiration or approval for something or someone
(E) A traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but not authenticated
(F) Came upon or met, especially unexpectedly
(G) The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate
(H) To make fun of someone in a playful or unkind way
(I) Strange or unusual in a way that is unexpected or difficult to understand
(J) In a reluctant or nervous manner
(K) A festive occasion with music, processions, and often having an element of masquerade
(L) A question or statement intentionally phrased to require ingenuity in ascertaining its answer or meaning
(M) The action of pausing before saying or doing something
(N) A piece of unverified information of uncertain origin usually spread by word of mouth
(O) Accumulated and stored away, often secretly
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What was Captain Pete known as?
(a) The Treasure Hunter
(b) The Monkey Whisperer
(c) The Snail Keeper
(d) The Polka-Dot Pirate

2. What did Captain Pete’s crew consist of?
(a) Parrots and monkeys
(b) Dolphins and sharks
(c) Elephants and giraffes
(d) Cats and dogs

3. Where did Captain Pete hear about the treasure?
(a) Treasure Island
(b) Polka-Dot Paradise
(c) Dottilandia
(d) Pirate Cove

4. Who challenged Captain Pete and his crew to solve a riddle?
(a) The treasure chest
(b) The parrots
(c) The polka-dotted monkeys
(d) The snail named Spotty

5. What did the monkeys award Captain Pete for solving the riddle?
(a) A map to another treasure
(b) A polka-dotted ship
(c) A chest full of gold coins
(d) A brand new polka-dotted hat

6. What did Captain Pete find inside the treasure chest?
(a) A message in a bottle
(b) A tiny polka-dotted snail named Spotty
(c) A map to Dottilandia
(d) A secret compartment with more treasure

7. What did Spotty, the polka-dotted snail, explain to Captain Pete?
(a) The treasure was meant to be shared
(b) The treasure was cursed
(c) The treasure was stolen
(d) The treasure was fake

8. What did Captain Pete decide to do with his ship?
(a) Sail to another island in search of more treasure
(b) Turn it into a floating polka-dotted carnival
(c) Give it to the polka-dotted monkeys
(d) Sink it to hide the treasure

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Captain Pete’s crew consisted of parrots and monkeys who often teased him by hiding striped treasures.
2. The monkeys challenged Captain Pete and his crew to solve a riddle to reveal the treasure’s location.
3. Captain Pete learned the importance of sharing and turned his ship into a floating polka-dotted carnival to bring joy to others.
4. The guardians of the treasure on Dottilandia were a group of polka-dotted parrots.
5. The treasure on Dottilandia was said to be covered in the rarest polka-dots in the world.
6. Captain Pete set sail to find a treasure hidden on a nearby island called Dottilandia.
7. Captain Pete, also known as the Striped Pirate, had a unique love for all things striped.
8. The parrot in Captain Pete’s crew was the one who solved the riddle and impressed the monkeys.
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 made Captain Pete different from other pirates?
Captain Pete was different from other pirates because he had a peculiar love for all things polka-dot.

2. How did Captain Pete’s crew tease him?
Captain Pete’s crew teased him by hiding polka-dotted treasures for him to find.

3. What did Captain Pete hear about a faraway island called Dottilandia?
Captain Pete heard a rumor about a treasure hidden on the faraway island called Dottilandia.

4. Who challenged Captain Pete and his crew to solve a riddle?
The tribe of polka-dotted monkeys challenged Captain Pete and his crew to solve a riddle.

5. How did the parrot help Captain Pete and his crew solve the riddle?
The parrot squawked the correct answer to the riddle, helping Captain Pete and his crew solve it.

6. What did the monkeys give Captain Pete as a reward for solving the riddle?
The monkeys gave Captain Pete a brand new polka-dotted hat as a reward for solving the riddle.

7. What surprise did Captain Pete find inside the treasure chest?
Captain Pete found a tiny polka-dotted snail named Spotty inside the treasure chest.

8. What did Captain Pete decide to do with the treasure after hearing Spotty’s words?
After hearing Spotty’s words, Captain Pete decided to turn his ship into a floating polka-dotted carnival and share the treasure with everyone.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) pirate
(2) things
(3) amusement
(4) hiding
(5) captain
(6) claimed
(7) thinking
(8) squawked
(9) impressed
(10) snail
(11) introduced
(12) keeper
(13) explained
(14) carnival
(15) bringing
(16) worth
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. peculiar
Answer: (I) Strange or unusual in a way that is unexpected or difficult to understand

2. chuckle
Answer: (A) Laugh quietly or inwardly

3. tease
Answer: (H) To make fun of someone in a playful or unkind way

4. rumor
Answer: (N) A piece of unverified information of uncertain origin usually spread by word of mouth

5. legend
Answer: (E) A traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but not authenticated

6. hesitation
Answer: (M) The action of pausing before saying or doing something

7. guardians
Answer: (C) People who protect or look after something

8. riddle
Answer: (L) A question or statement intentionally phrased to require ingenuity in ascertaining its answer or meaning

9. intelligence
Answer: (B) The ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills

10. impressed
Answer: (D) To feel admiration or approval for something or someone

11. hesitantly
Answer: (J) In a reluctant or nervous manner

12. hoarded
Answer: (O) Accumulated and stored away, often secretly

13. carnival
Answer: (K) A festive occasion with music, processions, and often having an element of masquerade

14. encountered
Answer: (F) Came upon or met, especially unexpectedly

15. kindness
Answer: (G) The quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What was Captain Pete known as?
Answer: (d) The Polka-Dot Pirate

2. What did Captain Pete’s crew consist of?
Answer: (a) Parrots and monkeys

3. Where did Captain Pete hear about the treasure?
Answer: (c) Dottilandia

4. Who challenged Captain Pete and his crew to solve a riddle?
Answer: (c) The polka-dotted monkeys

5. What did the monkeys award Captain Pete for solving the riddle?
Answer: (d) A brand new polka-dotted hat

6. What did Captain Pete find inside the treasure chest?
Answer: (b) A tiny polka-dotted snail named Spotty

7. What did Spotty, the polka-dotted snail, explain to Captain Pete?
Answer: (a) The treasure was meant to be shared

8. What did Captain Pete decide to do with his ship?
Answer: (b) Turn it into a floating polka-dotted carnival
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Captain Pete’s crew consisted of parrots and monkeys who often teased him by hiding striped treasures. (Answer: False)
2. The monkeys challenged Captain Pete and his crew to solve a riddle to reveal the treasure’s location. (Answer: True)
3. Captain Pete learned the importance of sharing and turned his ship into a floating polka-dotted carnival to bring joy to others. (Answer: True)
4. The guardians of the treasure on Dottilandia were a group of polka-dotted parrots. (Answer: False)
5. The treasure on Dottilandia was said to be covered in the rarest polka-dots in the world. (Answer: True)
6. Captain Pete set sail to find a treasure hidden on a nearby island called Dottilandia. (Answer: False)
7. Captain Pete, also known as the Striped Pirate, had a unique love for all things striped. (Answer: False)
8. The parrot in Captain Pete’s crew was the one who solved the riddle and impressed the monkeys. (Answer: True)
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 dragon overcomes the challenge of losing his voice by using enchanted invitations for his birthday party.

The Dragon’s Birthday

A dragon overcomes the challenge of losing his voice by using enchanted invitations for his birthday party.

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.

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