Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

Short Stories for Kids

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The Voyage to Vegetable Land

Embarking on a magical adventure in Vegetable Land, Max discovers that vegetables are superheroes in disguise.

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Once upon a time, there was a young boy named Max who despised eating vegetables. His parents, who were both farmers, grew an abundance of colorful vegetables in their garden, hoping to instill in their son a love for healthy eating. Despite their efforts, Max remained a picky eater, refusing to touch anything green and leafy. One day, while his parents were away, Max stumbled upon a mysterious treasure map hidden in his father’s workshop. Without thinking twice, he decided to embark on an exciting adventure to a place called “Vegetable Land.”

Following the map’s directions, Max found himself on a ship called the S.S. Veggie Cruise. To his astonishment, the crew members were animated vegetables: Captain Carrot, First Mate Broccoli, and the jolly Tomato Twins. They welcomed Max and invited him on a tour of the ship. Unable to resist the promise of an enthralling adventure, Max agreed.

As darkness fell, the ship encountered rough waves, causing Max to lose his balance and accidentally bump into a box of magic vegetables. Instantly, the entire ship transformed into a magnificent floating vegetable garden. Max, the crew, and the ship all became giants in Vegetable Land, surrounded by colossal broccoli trees, massive carrot forests, and expansive fields of lettuce.

Delighted and amazed, Max quickly realized that every vegetable he came across had its own unique personality. The tomato twins were the pranksters of the land, constantly getting into mischief. The broccoli farmers were hardworking and serious, while the lettuce leaves bounced around like cheerful acrobats. Max soon befriended a wise old cauliflower wizard who taught him the importance of embracing new experiences, even if they seemed daunting at first.

With each passing day, Max’s perspective on vegetables started to change. He discovered that eating vegetables didn’t have to be boring; it could be an exciting journey full of flavors and surprises. The lettuce gave him a tickling sensation, the carrots a vibrant sweetness, and the tomatoes an explosion of juiciness. Max realized that vegetables weren’t his enemies; they were superheroes, giving him energy and keeping him healthy.

As the time to leave Vegetable Land approached, Max bid farewell to his new friends, thanking them for the invaluable lessons they had taught him. Returning to the real world, full of excitement and a newfound love for vegetables, Max eagerly shared his experiences with his parents. From that day forward, he happily explored the joys of eating a balanced diet, marveling at the incredible journey that had finally transformed him into a courageous veggie adventurer.

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

1despisedFelt a strong dislike or disgust for
2abundanceA large quantity or supply of something
3instillTo gradually impart new values, attitudes, or skills
4embarkTo begin a journey or venture
5animatedFull of life and energy; lively
6enthrallingCaptivating and exciting
7colossalExtremely large or huge
8expansiveCovering a wide area; extensive
9prankstersIndividuals known for playing tricks or jokes
10acrobatsPerformers who can execute feats of agility and balance
11befriendedFormed a friendship with someone
12dauntingIntimidating or seeming difficult to deal with
13vibrantFull of life, color, and energy
14superheroesCharacters with exceptional abilities or powers
15invaluableExtremely useful or helpful

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What did Max’s parents hope to instill in him by growing vegetables in their garden?
2. How did Max come across the treasure map?
3. Describe the crew members of the S.S. Veggie Cruise.
4. What happened when Max bumped into the box of magic vegetables?
5. How did Max’s perspective on vegetables change during his time in Vegetable Land?
6. What were some of the unique personalities of the vegetables in Vegetable Land?
7. How did Max feel about vegetables after his adventure in Vegetable Land?
8. How did Max share his experiences with his parents after returning from Vegetable Land?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time, there was a young boy named Max who despised (1)______ vegetables. His parents, who were both farmers, grew an abundance of colorful vegetables in their garden, hoping to instill in their son a love for healthy eating. Despite their efforts, Max remained a picky eater, refusing to touch anything green and leafy. One day, while his parents were away, Max stumbled upon a mysterious treasure map hidden in his father’s workshop. Without thinking twice, he decided to embark on an exciting adventure to a place (2)______ “Vegetable Land.”

(3)______ the map’s directions, Max found himself on a ship called the S.S. Veggie (4)______. To his astonishment, the crew members were animated vegetables: Captain Carrot, First Mate Broccoli, and the (5)______ Tomato Twins. They welcomed Max and invited him on a tour of the ship. Unable to resist the promise of an enthralling adventure, Max agreed.

As darkness fell, the ship encountered (6)______ waves, causing Max to lose his balance and accidentally bump into a box of magic vegetables. Instantly, the entire ship transformed into a magnificent floating vegetable garden. Max, the crew, and the ship all became giants in Vegetable Land, surrounded by colossal broccoli trees, massive carrot forests, and (7)______ fields of lettuce.

Delighted and (8)______, Max quickly realized that every vegetable he came across had its own unique personality. The tomato twins were the pranksters of the land, constantly getting into (9)______. The broccoli (10)______ were hardworking and serious, while the lettuce leaves bounced around like cheerful acrobats. Max soon (11)______ a wise old cauliflower wizard who taught him the importance of embracing new experiences, even if they seemed daunting at first.

With each passing day, Max’s perspective on (12)______ started to change. He discovered that eating vegetables didn’t have to be boring; it could be an exciting journey full of flavors and surprises. The lettuce gave him a tickling sensation, the carrots a vibrant (13)______, and the (14)______ an explosion of juiciness. Max realized that vegetables weren’t his enemies; they were superheroes, giving him energy and keeping him healthy.

As the time to leave Vegetable Land approached, Max bid farewell to his new friends, thanking them for the invaluable lessons they had taught him. Returning to the real world, full of (15)______ and a newfound love for vegetables, Max eagerly shared his (16)______ with his parents. From that day forward, he happily explored the joys of eating a balanced diet, marveling at the incredible journey that had finally transformed him into a courageous veggie adventurer.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your favorite vegetable and why?
2. How would you feel if you stumbled upon a treasure map like Max did? Why?
3. Do you like trying new foods? Why or why not?
4. Do you think it’s important to eat a balanced diet? Why or why not?
5. What is a picky eater? Do you know anyone who is a picky eater? Why do you think they are picky?
6. How would you feel if you were surrounded by giant vegetables like Max was? Why?
7. Do you think Max’s parents were right to try and teach him to love vegetables? Why or why not?
8. What is your favorite healthy snack? Why do you like it?
9. How would you feel if you were a giant in Vegetable Land? Why?
10. Do you think it’s important to have a variety of vegetables in your diet? Why or why not?
11. What is the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done? How did it make you feel?
12. How would you feel if you had a magical experience with vegetables like Max did? Why?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. despised
2. abundance
3. instill
4. embark
5. animated
6. enthralling
7. colossal
8. expansive
9. pranksters
10. acrobats
11. befriended
12. daunting
13. vibrant
14. superheroes
15. invaluable

Meanings:
(A) Performers who can execute feats of agility and balance
(B) Felt a strong dislike or disgust for
(C) Extremely large or huge
(D) Intimidating or seeming difficult to deal with
(E) Individuals known for playing tricks or jokes
(F) To begin a journey or venture
(G) Formed a friendship with someone
(H) To gradually impart new values, attitudes, or skills
(I) Full of life and energy; lively
(J) Full of life, color, and energy
(K) Characters with exceptional abilities or powers
(L) Covering a wide area; extensive
(M) Extremely useful or helpful
(N) A large quantity or supply of something
(O) Captivating and exciting
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What did Max find in his father’s workshop?
(a) A secret diary
(b) A magic wand
(c) A treasure map
(d) A recipe book

2. What was the name of the ship Max boarded?
(a) S.S. Fruit Paradise
(b) S.S. Adventure Seeker
(c) S.S. Veggie Cruise
(d) S.S. Magic Garden

3. Who were the crew members of the ship?
(a) Captain Tomato, First Mate Carrot, and the Broccoli Twins
(b) Captain Broccoli, First Mate Tomato, and the Carrot Twins
(c) Captain Lettuce, First Mate Cauliflower, and the Pea Twins
(d) Captain Carrot, First Mate Broccoli, and the Tomato Twins

4. What happened when Max bumped into the box of magic vegetables?
(a) The ship and everyone on it transformed into a floating vegetable garden
(b) Max was transported to a different dimension
(c) The ship sank and Max had to swim to safety
(d) Max gained the ability to talk to vegetables

5. What did Max learn from the wise old cauliflower wizard?
(a) How to perform magic tricks with vegetables
(b) The importance of embracing new experiences
(c) The secret recipe for the most delicious vegetable soup
(d) How to grow vegetables in his own garden

6. How did Max’s perspective on vegetables change?
(a) He learned that vegetables were his enemies and should be avoided
(b) He discovered that vegetables were boring and tasteless
(c) He decided that he would never eat vegetables again
(d) He realized that eating vegetables could be an exciting journey full of flavors and surprises

7. What did Max realize about vegetables?
(a) They were magical creatures with special powers
(b) They were superheroes, giving him energy and keeping him healthy
(c) They were boring and should only be eaten when forced to
(d) They were unnecessary and could be replaced with junk food

8. How did Max feel about eating a balanced diet after his adventure?
(a) He was excited and happy to explore the joys of eating healthy
(b) He was disappointed and wanted to go back to his picky eating habits
(c) He felt indifferent and didn’t think it made a difference
(d) He was scared and refused to eat any vegetables

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The ship Max boarded was called the S.S. Veggie Cruise and the crew members were animated vegetables.
2. Max intentionally kicked a box of magical vegetables, causing the ship to remain unchanged as a regular ship.
3. Max found a treasure map in his father’s workshop and decided to go on an adventure to Vegetable Land.
4. Max did not like eating vegetables and was a picky eater.
5. Max befriended a foolish young cabbage sorcerer who taught him the insignificance of avoiding new experiences.
6. Max returned to the imaginary world with a newfound disdain for vegetables and reluctantly shared his experiences with his parents.
7. Max’s parents were architects who built a variety of structures in their garden.
8. Max’s perspective on vegetables changed as he discovered the exciting flavors and surprises they offered.
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. Max’s parents hoped to instill in him a love for healthy eating by growing vegetables in their garden.
Answer: Max’s parents hoped to instill in him a love for healthy eating.
2. Max came across the treasure map while exploring his father’s workshop.
Answer: Max came across the treasure map while exploring his father’s workshop.
3. The crew members of the S.S. Veggie Cruise were Captain Carrot, First Mate Broccoli, and the Tomato Twins.
Answer: The crew members of the S.S. Veggie Cruise were Captain Carrot, First Mate Broccoli, and the Tomato Twins.
4. When Max bumped into the box of magic vegetables, the entire ship and its crew transformed into a floating vegetable garden in Vegetable Land.
Answer: When Max bumped into the box of magic vegetables, the entire ship and its crew transformed into a floating vegetable garden in Vegetable Land.
5. During his time in Vegetable Land, Max’s perspective on vegetables changed. He realized that eating vegetables could be an exciting journey full of flavors and surprises.
Answer: During his time in Vegetable Land, Max’s perspective on vegetables changed. He realized that eating vegetables could be an exciting journey full of flavors and surprises.
6. Some of the unique personalities of the vegetables in Vegetable Land were the prankster Tomato Twins, the hardworking and serious broccoli farmers, and the cheerful acrobatic lettuce leaves.
Answer: Some of the unique personalities of the vegetables in Vegetable Land were the prankster Tomato Twins, the hardworking and serious broccoli farmers, and the cheerful acrobatic lettuce leaves.
7. After his adventure in Vegetable Land, Max felt excited and had a newfound love for vegetables.
Answer: After his adventure in Vegetable Land, Max felt excited and had a newfound love for vegetables.
8. Max shared his experiences with his parents by eagerly telling them about his time in Vegetable Land and the valuable lessons he had learned.
Answer: Max shared his experiences with his parents by eagerly telling them about his time in Vegetable Land and the valuable lessons he had learned.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) eating
(2) called
(3) Following
(4) Cruise
(5) jolly
(6) rough
(7) expansive
(8) amazed
(9) mischief
(10) farmers
(11) befriended
(12) vegetables
(13) sweetness
(14) tomatoes
(15) excitement
(16) experiences
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. despised
Answer: (B) Felt a strong dislike or disgust for

2. abundance
Answer: (N) A large quantity or supply of something

3. instill
Answer: (H) To gradually impart new values, attitudes, or skills

4. embark
Answer: (F) To begin a journey or venture

5. animated
Answer: (I) Full of life and energy; lively

6. enthralling
Answer: (O) Captivating and exciting

7. colossal
Answer: (C) Extremely large or huge

8. expansive
Answer: (L) Covering a wide area; extensive

9. pranksters
Answer: (E) Individuals known for playing tricks or jokes

10. acrobats
Answer: (A) Performers who can execute feats of agility and balance

11. befriended
Answer: (G) Formed a friendship with someone

12. daunting
Answer: (D) Intimidating or seeming difficult to deal with

13. vibrant
Answer: (J) Full of life, color, and energy

14. superheroes
Answer: (K) Characters with exceptional abilities or powers

15. invaluable
Answer: (M) Extremely useful or helpful
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What did Max find in his father’s workshop?
Answer: (c) A treasure map

2. What was the name of the ship Max boarded?
Answer: (c) S.S. Veggie Cruise

3. Who were the crew members of the ship?
Answer: (d) Captain Carrot, First Mate Broccoli, and the Tomato Twins

4. What happened when Max bumped into the box of magic vegetables?
Answer: (a) The ship and everyone on it transformed into a floating vegetable garden

5. What did Max learn from the wise old cauliflower wizard?
Answer: (b) The importance of embracing new experiences

6. How did Max’s perspective on vegetables change?
Answer: (d) He realized that eating vegetables could be an exciting journey full of flavors and surprises

7. What did Max realize about vegetables?
Answer: (b) They were superheroes, giving him energy and keeping him healthy

8. How did Max feel about eating a balanced diet after his adventure?
Answer: (a) He was excited and happy to explore the joys of eating healthy
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The ship Max boarded was called the S.S. Veggie Cruise and the crew members were animated vegetables. (Answer: True)
2. Max intentionally kicked a box of magical vegetables, causing the ship to remain unchanged as a regular ship. (Answer: False)
3. Max found a treasure map in his father’s workshop and decided to go on an adventure to Vegetable Land. (Answer: True)
4. Max did not like eating vegetables and was a picky eater. (Answer: True)
5. Max befriended a foolish young cabbage sorcerer who taught him the insignificance of avoiding new experiences. (Answer: False)
6. Max returned to the imaginary world with a newfound disdain for vegetables and reluctantly shared his experiences with his parents. (Answer: False)
7. Max’s parents were architects who built a variety of structures in their garden. (Answer: False)
8. Max’s perspective on vegetables changed as he discovered the exciting flavors and surprises they offered. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧

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