Paul Holmes -
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English Professor

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Short Stories for Kids

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The Snow Queen’s Spell

A brave girl named Lily breaks the Snow Queen's spell with an act of kindness.

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Once upon a time, in a land where winter ruled all year round, there lived a Snow Queen who had the power to cast spells. She was mischievous and loved playing pranks on the villagers. One day, she decided to cast a spell on the entire village, turning everyone into frozen ice statues. The only way to reverse the spell was to find the rare crystal of warmth. However, the Snow Queen hid it deep within her icy palace, guarded by her loyal yet clueless snowman, Frosty.

Meanwhile, in a nearby village, there lived a brave and adventurous girl named Lily. When she heard about the Snow Queen’s spell, she knew she had to find a way to save her family and friends. Determined, she embarked on a treacherous journey through the snowy forest towards the palace. Along the way, she encountered talking animals who promised to help her. A sly fox offered his cunningness, a wise owl shared his wisdom, and a mischievous squirrel added his agility.

As Lily approached the palace, she realized it was surrounded by a magical force field. Undeterred, she used the fox’s cunningness to lure Frosty away from the palace. While he was distracted, she sneaked inside, leaving the snowman puzzled. As she explored the palace, she discovered a hidden room with a magical mirror. This mirror could only reflect true beauty and kindness. Realizing that the Snow Queen lacked both, Lily decided to show her generosity by leaving a small gift on her throne.

As the Snow Queen settled on her throne, she saw the gift and was touched by the act of kindness. In that moment, the spell was broken, and the villagers returned to their warm and lively selves. The Snow Queen, having learned a lesson in love and kindness, decided to use her powers for good. She melted her icy palace and helped the villagers transform their homes into warm and cozy cottages.

From that day forward, the Snow Queen and Lily became the best of friends. Together, they brought joy and warmth to the frozen land. The villagers were grateful for both of them, and as a token of their appreciation, they held an annual winter festival to celebrate their friendship and the importance of kindness. And so, the Snow Queen’s spell became a reminder that even in the coldest of hearts, warmth and kindness can thaw any icy situation.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

1treacherousDangerous and unpredictable, potentially hazardous
2cunningnessThe quality of being clever and skillful in deception or trickery
3embarkedBegan or started a journey or task
4undeterredNot discouraged or dissuaded, remaining resolved
5lureTo attract or tempt by offering something desirable
6sneakedMoved quietly and stealthily to avoid detection
7puzzledConfused or unable to understand something
8generosityThe willingness to give and share unsparingly
9throneA ceremonial chair for a sovereign or dignitary
10touchedEmotionally moved or affected by something
11livelyFull of life and energy; active and outgoing
12cozyGiving a feeling of comfort, warmth, and relaxation
13gratefulFeeling or showing an appreciation for something done or received
14tokenSomething given as a symbol of gratitude or remembrance
15thawTo melt or cause to become less rigid, often referring to ice or frost

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What was the Snow Queen’s favorite pastime?
2. What did the Snow Queen do to the villagers?
3. What was the only way to reverse the spell?
4. Who guarded the rare crystal of warmth?
5. Who was the brave girl in the nearby village?
6. What did Lily encounter on her journey to the palace?
7. How did Lily manage to enter the palace?
8. What act of kindness did Lily show the Snow Queen?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time, in a land where winter ruled all year round, there lived a Snow Queen who had the power to cast (1)______. She was mischievous and (2)______ playing pranks on the villagers. One day, she decided to cast a spell on the entire village, turning everyone into (3)______ ice statues. The only way to reverse the spell was to find the rare crystal of warmth. However, the Snow Queen hid it deep within her icy palace, guarded by her loyal yet clueless snowman, Frosty.

Meanwhile, in a nearby village, there lived a (4)______ and adventurous girl named Lily. When she heard about the Snow Queen’s spell, she knew she had to find a way to save her family and friends. Determined, she embarked on a treacherous (5)______ through the snowy forest towards the palace. Along the way, she (6)______ talking animals who promised to help her. A sly fox offered his cunningness, a wise owl shared his wisdom, and a mischievous (7)______ added his agility.

As Lily approached the palace, she realized it was surrounded by a magical (8)______ field. Undeterred, she used the fox’s cunningness to lure Frosty away from the palace. While he was distracted, she sneaked inside, leaving the snowman puzzled. As she (9)______ the (10)______, she discovered a hidden room with a magical mirror. This mirror could only reflect true beauty and kindness. Realizing that the Snow (11)______ lacked both, Lily decided to show her generosity by leaving a small gift on her throne.

As the Snow Queen settled on her throne, she saw the gift and was touched by the act of kindness. In that moment, the spell was broken, and the villagers (12)______ to their warm and lively selves. The Snow Queen, having learned a lesson in love and kindness, decided to use her powers for good. She melted her icy palace and (13)______ the villagers transform their homes into warm and cozy cottages.

From that day forward, the Snow Queen and Lily became the best of friends. Together, they (14)______ joy and warmth to the frozen land. The villagers were grateful for both of them, and as a token of their appreciation, they held an annual winter festival to celebrate their friendship and the importance of (15)______. And so, the Snow Queen’s spell became a (16)______ that even in the coldest of hearts, warmth and kindness can thaw any icy situation.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your opinion of the Snow Queen’s mischievous behavior? Why or why not?
2. How would you feel if you were turned into a frozen ice statue? Why?
3. Do you think Lily was brave for embarking on the treacherous journey to save her family and friends? Why or why not?
4. What do you think the talking animals symbolize in the story? Why?
5. How do you think Lily felt when she discovered the hidden room with the magical mirror? Why?
6. Do you think the Snow Queen’s transformation at the end of the story was believable? Why or why not?
7. What is the significance of the annual winter festival in the story? Why is it important?
8. How do you think the villagers felt towards the Snow Queen after the spell was broken? Why?
9. Do you believe that warmth and kindness can thaw any icy situation? Why or why not?
10. What would you have done differently if you were in Lily’s position? Why?
11. How do you think the Snow Queen’s powers could be used for good? Why?
12. Do you think Lily and the Snow Queen’s friendship was genuine? Why or why not?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. treacherous
2. cunningness
3. embarked
4. undeterred
5. lure
6. sneaked
7. puzzled
8. generosity
9. throne
10. touched
11. lively
12. cozy
13. grateful
14. token
15. thaw

Meanings:
(A) A ceremonial chair for a sovereign or dignitary
(B) Dangerous and unpredictable, potentially hazardous
(C) The quality of being clever and skillful in deception or trickery
(D) Feeling or showing an appreciation for something done or received
(E) Not discouraged or dissuaded, remaining resolved
(F) The willingness to give and share unsparingly
(G) Confused or unable to understand something
(H) Emotionally moved or affected by something
(I) To melt or cause to become less rigid, often referring to ice or frost
(J) Began or started a journey or task
(K) Giving a feeling of comfort, warmth, and relaxation
(L) Full of life and energy; active and outgoing
(M) To attract or tempt by offering something desirable
(N) Moved quietly and stealthily to avoid detection
(O) Something given as a symbol of gratitude or remembrance
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Who had the power to cast spells in the story?
(a) Lily
(b) Snow Queen
(c) Frosty
(d) Talking animals

2. What did Lily need to find in order to reverse the spell?
(a) Magical mirror
(b) Snow Queen’s throne
(c) Crystal of warmth
(d) Frosty’s hat

3. How did Lily get past the magical force field surrounding the palace?
(a) Broke the force field with a spell
(b) Climbed over the force field
(c) Used the owl’s wisdom to solve a riddle
(d) Lured Frosty away

4. What did Lily leave on the Snow Queen’s throne?
(a) Small gift
(b) Crystal of warmth
(c) Magical mirror
(d) Frosty’s hat

5. What did the Snow Queen see on her throne that touched her heart?
(a) Crystal of warmth
(b) Magical mirror
(c) Frosty’s hat
(d) Small gift

6. What did the Snow Queen decide to do after the spell was broken?
(a) Use her powers for good
(b) Cast more spells on the villagers
(c) Freeze her palace even more
(d) Hide the crystal of warmth again

7. Who became the best of friends in the story?
(a) Snow Queen and Frosty
(b) Snow Queen and Lily
(c) Lily and the talking animals
(d) Lily and the villagers

8. What did the villagers do to show their appreciation?
(a) Built a statue of the Snow Queen
(b) Gave Lily a crown
(c) Held an annual winter festival
(d) Gave Frosty a new hat

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The only way to reverse the spell is to find the common crystal of warmth.
2. Lily encounters talking animals who promise to help her on her journey.
3. The Snow Queen remains oblivious to any lesson in love and kindness and continues to use her powers for evil.
4. The Snow Queen lacks the power to cast spells.
5. The Snow Queen detests playing pranks on the villagers.
6. The Snow Queen hides the crystal of warmth in her icy palace.
7. The entire village is turned into frozen ice statues by the Snow Queen’s spell.
8. Lily is a brave and adventurous girl who wants to save her family and friends.
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 Snow Queen’s favorite pastime?
The Snow Queen’s favorite pastime was playing pranks on the villagers.

2. What did the Snow Queen do to the villagers?
The Snow Queen cast a spell on the villagers, turning them into frozen ice statues.

3. What was the only way to reverse the spell?
The only way to reverse the spell was to find the rare crystal of warmth.

4. Who guarded the rare crystal of warmth?
The rare crystal of warmth was guarded by the Snow Queen’s loyal snowman, Frosty.

5. Who was the brave girl in the nearby village?
The brave girl in the nearby village was named Lily.

6. What did Lily encounter on her journey to the palace?
Lily encountered talking animals, including a sly fox, a wise owl, and a mischievous squirrel, who promised to help her.

7. How did Lily manage to enter the palace?
Lily managed to enter the palace by using the fox’s cunningness to distract Frosty, the snowman.

8. What act of kindness did Lily show the Snow Queen?
Lily showed the Snow Queen an act of kindness by leaving a small gift on her throne.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) spells
(2) loved
(3) frozen
(4) brave
(5) journey
(6) encountered
(7) squirrel
(8) force
(9) explored
(10) palace
(11) Queen
(12) returned
(13) helped
(14) brought
(15) kindness
(16) reminder
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. treacherous
Answer: (B) Dangerous and unpredictable, potentially hazardous

2. cunningness
Answer: (C) The quality of being clever and skillful in deception or trickery

3. embarked
Answer: (J) Began or started a journey or task

4. undeterred
Answer: (E) Not discouraged or dissuaded, remaining resolved

5. lure
Answer: (M) To attract or tempt by offering something desirable

6. sneaked
Answer: (N) Moved quietly and stealthily to avoid detection

7. puzzled
Answer: (G) Confused or unable to understand something

8. generosity
Answer: (F) The willingness to give and share unsparingly

9. throne
Answer: (A) A ceremonial chair for a sovereign or dignitary

10. touched
Answer: (H) Emotionally moved or affected by something

11. lively
Answer: (L) Full of life and energy; active and outgoing

12. cozy
Answer: (K) Giving a feeling of comfort, warmth, and relaxation

13. grateful
Answer: (D) Feeling or showing an appreciation for something done or received

14. token
Answer: (O) Something given as a symbol of gratitude or remembrance

15. thaw
Answer: (I) To melt or cause to become less rigid, often referring to ice or frost
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Who had the power to cast spells in the story?
Answer: (b) Snow Queen

2. What did Lily need to find in order to reverse the spell?
Answer: (c) Crystal of warmth

3. How did Lily get past the magical force field surrounding the palace?
Answer: (d) Lured Frosty away

4. What did Lily leave on the Snow Queen’s throne?
Answer: (a) Small gift

5. What did the Snow Queen see on her throne that touched her heart?
Answer: (d) Small gift

6. What did the Snow Queen decide to do after the spell was broken?
Answer: (a) Use her powers for good

7. Who became the best of friends in the story?
Answer: (b) Snow Queen and Lily

8. What did the villagers do to show their appreciation?
Answer: (c) Held an annual winter festival
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The only way to reverse the spell is to find the common crystal of warmth. (Answer: False)
2. Lily encounters talking animals who promise to help her on her journey. (Answer: True)
3. The Snow Queen remains oblivious to any lesson in love and kindness and continues to use her powers for evil. (Answer: False)
4. The Snow Queen lacks the power to cast spells. (Answer: False)
5. The Snow Queen detests playing pranks on the villagers. (Answer: False)
6. The Snow Queen hides the crystal of warmth in her icy palace. (Answer: True)
7. The entire village is turned into frozen ice statues by the Snow Queen’s spell. (Answer: True)
8. Lily is a brave and adventurous girl who wants to save her family and friends. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 4 stories?

Three children embark on a thrilling adventure to outsmart a mischievous genie and discover the true meaning of happiness.

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Three children embark on a thrilling adventure to outsmart a mischievous genie and discover the true meaning of happiness.

The broken letterbox becomes a source of laughter and connection as the townsfolk turn it into an interactive game for a mischievous squirrel named Nutkin.

The Broken Letterbox

The broken letterbox becomes a source of laughter and connection as the townsfolk turn it into an interactive game for a mischievous squirrel named Nutkin.

A young boy named Ethan becomes the King of the Kites and teaches his village the power of compassion and friendship.

The King of the Kites

A young boy named Ethan becomes the King of the Kites and teaches his village the power of compassion and friendship.

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