Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

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Short Stories for Kids

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The Tangerine Thief

A mischievous squirrel named Benny embarks on an unexpected journey after stealing a tangerine.

Try this story at a different level?

 

Once upon a time in a small village, there was a mischievous squirrel named Benny. Benny was known for his love of adventure and his knack for getting himself into trouble. One sunny afternoon, as Benny scurried through the village, he noticed a juicy, bright orange tangerine sitting on a windowsill. Unable to resist its tempting aroma, Benny decided to snatch it. Little did he know that this would lead him on an unexpected journey.

As Benny scampered away with the stolen tangerine, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of triumph. But luck was not on his side that day, for he accidentally dropped the tangerine right into the hands of a mischievous monkey named Max. Now, Max loved pranks just as much as Benny did, so without a second thought, he decided to join in on the fun. Max quickly ran away with the tangerine, leaving Benny in disbelief.

Determined to retrieve what was rightfully his, Benny chased after Max through the vast jungle surrounding the village. Along the way, they encountered various animals who joined in the chase, including a crafty parrot named Polly and a speedy tortoise named Timmy. As the group navigated through thorny bushes and swung from tree to tree, their adventure became more dangerous, but excitement filled their hearts.

Finally, after a series of twists and turns, the group cornered Max near a magnificent waterfall. Suddenly, Benny had an idea. He proposed a truce, suggesting they all share the tangerine and join forces for future escapades. Max’s mischievous streak softened, and he agreed. The group shared the delicious tangerine, and laughter filled the air.

With their shared experience, Benny, Max, Polly, and Timmy became the best of friends. They realized that sometimes, the best adventures come from unexpected events and that working together brings even more fun and happiness. From that day forward, they embarked on countless exciting escapades, always ready to face new challenges and seize every opportunity that came their way. And so, the tangerine thief turned out to be the start of an extraordinary friendship filled with lifelong memories.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

1mischievousBehaving in a way that is playful and slightly naughty
2scurriedMoved quickly with small, hurried steps
3temptingAppealing to the senses, inviting or attractive
4triumphA feeling of victory or success
5disbeliefA state of being unable to believe something
6determinedHaving a strong resolve or firmness of purpose
7vastExtremely large or wide in area or scope
8craftySkilled at achieving one’s ends by deceit or evasion
9navigatedDirected the course; found a path through
10magnificentImpressively beautiful or grand in appearance
11truceAn agreement between parties to stop hostilities and conflict
12escapadesAdventurous or daring activities
13seizedTook hold of something forcefully or eagerly
14extraordinaryBeyond what is usual, ordinary, or regular
15lifelongLasting for the entire life of a person

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What was Benny known for in the village?
2. What did Benny steal from the windowsill?
3. Who did Benny accidentally drop the tangerine into the hands of?
4. Who joined Benny in chasing after Max?
5. What obstacles did the group encounter as they chased Max?
6. Where did the group finally corner Max?
7. What idea did Benny have to resolve the situation?
8. What did the group learn from their adventure?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time in a small village, there was a mischievous squirrel named Benny. Benny was known for his love of adventure and his knack for getting himself into trouble. One sunny afternoon, as Benny scurried through the village, he noticed a juicy, bright orange (1)______ sitting on a (2)______. (3)______ to resist its tempting aroma, Benny (4)______ to snatch it. Little did he know that this would lead him on an unexpected journey.

As Benny scampered away with the stolen tangerine, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of triumph. But luck was not on his side that day, for he accidentally dropped the tangerine right into the hands of a mischievous monkey named Max. Now, Max loved pranks just as much as (5)______ did, so without a second thought, he decided to join in on the fun. Max quickly ran away with the tangerine, leaving Benny in disbelief.

(6)______ to (7)______ what was rightfully his, Benny chased after Max through the vast jungle (8)______ the village. Along the way, they encountered various animals who joined in the chase, including a crafty (9)______ named Polly and a speedy tortoise named Timmy. As the group navigated through thorny bushes and swung from tree to tree, their adventure became more (10)______, but excitement filled their hearts.

Finally, after a series of twists and turns, the group cornered Max near a magnificent (11)______. Suddenly, Benny had an idea. He proposed a truce, suggesting they all share the tangerine and join forces for future escapades. Max’s mischievous (12)______ softened, and he agreed. The group shared the delicious tangerine, and laughter filled the air.

With their shared experience, Benny, Max, Polly, and Timmy became the best of friends. They realized that sometimes, the best adventures come from unexpected events and that working together brings even more fun and (13)______. From that day forward, they embarked on countless exciting (14)______, always ready to face new challenges and seize every opportunity that came their way. And so, the tangerine thief turned out to be the (15)______ of an extraordinary friendship filled with lifelong (16)______.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is an adventure? Have you ever had an adventure?
2. How would you feel if you found a delicious tangerine on a windowsill? Why?
3. Do you think Benny was right to steal the tangerine? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever had something taken from you by someone else? How did you feel?
5. What do you think it means to be mischievous? Do you know anyone who is mischievous?
6. Do you think Max was a good friend to Benny? Why or why not?
7. How would you feel if you were chased through a jungle? Why?
8. What do you think it means to work together? Why is it important?
9. Have you ever had to work together with others to achieve a goal? How did it go?
10. Do you think it’s important to have friends? Why or why not?
11. What do you think makes a friendship strong and lasting? Why?
12. Can you think of a time when an unexpected event led to something positive in your life? What happened?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. mischievous
2. scurried
3. tempting
4. triumph
5. disbelief
6. determined
7. vast
8. crafty
9. navigated
10. magnificent
11. truce
12. escapades
13. seized
14. extraordinary
15. lifelong

Meanings:
(A) Lasting for the entire life of a person
(B) Skilled at achieving one’s ends by deceit or evasion
(C) Extremely large or wide in area or scope
(D) An agreement between parties to stop hostilities and conflict
(E) Behaving in a way that is playful and slightly naughty
(F) Impressively beautiful or grand in appearance
(G) Directed the course; found a path through
(H) Having a strong resolve or firmness of purpose
(I) Beyond what is usual, ordinary, or regular
(J) Adventurous or daring activities
(K) Took hold of something forcefully or eagerly
(L) Moved quickly with small, hurried steps
(M) A state of being unable to believe something
(N) Appealing to the senses, inviting or attractive
(O) A feeling of victory or success
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What was Benny known for in the village?
(a) His love of adventure and knack for getting into trouble
(b) His love of tangerines
(c) His love of pranks
(d) His love of sleeping

2. What did Benny steal from the windowsill?
(a) A shiny red apple
(b) A juicy, bright orange tangerine
(c) A ripe banana
(d) A delicious slice of watermelon

3. Who did Benny accidentally drop the tangerine into the hands of?
(a) Polly, the crafty parrot
(b) Timmy, the speedy tortoise
(c) Max, the mischievous monkey
(d) Sherlock, the detective squirrel

4. What did Max decide to do with the stolen tangerine?
(a) Eat it all by himself
(b) Hide it in a secret spot
(c) Run away with it
(d) Give it back to Benny

5. Who joined Benny in chasing after Max?
(a) Sherlock, the detective squirrel, and Max, the mischievous monkey
(b) Polly, the crafty parrot, and Sherlock, the detective squirrel
(c) Timmy, the speedy tortoise, and Max, the mischievous monkey
(d) Polly, the crafty parrot, and Timmy, the speedy tortoise

6. What did the group encounter as they chased Max through the jungle?
(a) A group of villagers
(b) A treasure chest
(c) A magical portal
(d) Various animals

7. Where did the group corner Max?
(a) Near a magnificent waterfall
(b) In a dark cave
(c) At the top of a tall tree
(d) In a hidden underground tunnel

8. What did Benny propose to Max?
(a) A race to see who was faster
(b) A truce and sharing the tangerine
(c) A competition to see who could climb the highest tree
(d) A prank on Polly and Timmy

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Along the path, Benny, Max, Polly the parrot, and Timmy the tortoise meet different animals who decline to join in the chase.
2. Benny gives up on chasing Max through the jungle to get back the tangerine.
3. Benny is a mischievous squirrel who loves adventure.
4. Max chooses not to participate in the fun and slowly walks away with the tangerine.
5. Benny, Max, Polly, and Timmy become the best of friends and embark on countless adventures together.
6. The group surrounds Max by a beautiful waterfall.
7. Benny accidentally drops a stolen tangerine into the hands of Max, a mischievous monkey.
8. Benny proposes a truce and suggests they all share the tangerine and become 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 Benny known for in the village?
Benny was known for his love of adventure and his knack for getting himself into trouble.

2. What did Benny steal from the windowsill?
Benny stole a juicy, bright orange tangerine from the windowsill.

3. Who did Benny accidentally drop the tangerine into the hands of?
Benny accidentally dropped the tangerine into the hands of a mischievous monkey named Max.

4. Who joined Benny in chasing after Max?
A crafty parrot named Polly and a speedy tortoise named Timmy joined Benny in chasing after Max.

5. What obstacles did the group encounter as they chased Max?
The group encountered thorny bushes and had to swing from tree to tree as they chased Max.

6. Where did the group finally corner Max?
The group finally cornered Max near a magnificent waterfall.

7. What idea did Benny have to resolve the situation?
Benny suggested a truce and proposed that they all share the tangerine and join forces for future escapades.

8. What did the group learn from their adventure?
The group learned that sometimes, the best adventures come from unexpected events and that working together brings even more fun and happiness.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) tangerine
(2) windowsill
(3) Unable
(4) decided
(5) Benny
(6) Determined
(7) retrieve
(8) surrounding
(9) parrot
(10) dangerous
(11) waterfall
(12) streak
(13) happiness
(14) escapades
(15) start
(16) memories
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. mischievous
Answer: (E) Behaving in a way that is playful and slightly naughty

2. scurried
Answer: (L) Moved quickly with small, hurried steps

3. tempting
Answer: (N) Appealing to the senses, inviting or attractive

4. triumph
Answer: (O) A feeling of victory or success

5. disbelief
Answer: (M) A state of being unable to believe something

6. determined
Answer: (H) Having a strong resolve or firmness of purpose

7. vast
Answer: (C) Extremely large or wide in area or scope

8. crafty
Answer: (B) Skilled at achieving one’s ends by deceit or evasion

9. navigated
Answer: (G) Directed the course; found a path through

10. magnificent
Answer: (F) Impressively beautiful or grand in appearance

11. truce
Answer: (D) An agreement between parties to stop hostilities and conflict

12. escapades
Answer: (J) Adventurous or daring activities

13. seized
Answer: (K) Took hold of something forcefully or eagerly

14. extraordinary
Answer: (I) Beyond what is usual, ordinary, or regular

15. lifelong
Answer: (A) Lasting for the entire life of a person
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What was Benny known for in the village?
Answer: (a) His love of adventure and knack for getting into trouble

2. What did Benny steal from the windowsill?
Answer: (b) A juicy, bright orange tangerine

3. Who did Benny accidentally drop the tangerine into the hands of?
Answer: (c) Max, the mischievous monkey

4. What did Max decide to do with the stolen tangerine?
Answer: (c) Run away with it

5. Who joined Benny in chasing after Max?
Answer: (d) Polly, the crafty parrot, and Timmy, the speedy tortoise

6. What did the group encounter as they chased Max through the jungle?
Answer: (d) Various animals

7. Where did the group corner Max?
Answer: (a) Near a magnificent waterfall

8. What did Benny propose to Max?
Answer: (b) A truce and sharing the tangerine
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Along the path, Benny, Max, Polly the parrot, and Timmy the tortoise meet different animals who decline to join in the chase. (Answer: False)
2. Benny gives up on chasing Max through the jungle to get back the tangerine. (Answer: False)
3. Benny is a mischievous squirrel who loves adventure. (Answer: True)
4. Max chooses not to participate in the fun and slowly walks away with the tangerine. (Answer: False)
5. Benny, Max, Polly, and Timmy become the best of friends and embark on countless adventures together. (Answer: True)
6. The group surrounds Max by a beautiful waterfall. (Answer: False)
7. Benny accidentally drops a stolen tangerine into the hands of Max, a mischievous monkey. (Answer: True)
8. Benny proposes a truce and suggests they all share the tangerine and become friends. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧

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A mischievous squirrel named Benny embarks on an unexpected journey after stealing a tangerine.

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