Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

Short Stories for Kids

Complete lesson plans, including stories, listening, classroom activities, quiz questions and more!

How the Snail Found His Shell

A snail named Sam learns that true happiness comes from following your own path.

Try this story at a different level?

 

Once there was a snail named Sam who didn’t have a shell. He really wanted one but couldn’t find the right one anywhere. One day, he decided to look for the perfect shell.

On his journey, Sam met lots of animals and asked them about a shell. But they didn’t understand why he wanted one. They thought he was fine without a shell.

Then, Sam met a wise owl who told him that finding a shell isn’t just about looking. It’s about being patient and making your own. Sam thought about what the owl said and felt hopeful.

Sam started collecting things from the garden like stones, leaves, and flower petals. He worked hard to make his own shell. When he was done, he had a beautiful shell that was just right for him. The other animals were amazed and liked Sam’s shell a lot. Sam felt happy and proud.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

1journeyGoing on a long trip
2animalsCreatures like bunnies and birds
3patientWaiting nicely without getting upset
4gardenA place outside where plants grow
5stonesHard, small pieces of the earth
6leavesGreen parts of a plant or tree that fall off
7flowerA pretty part of a plant that smells nice
8proudFeeling very happy about what you did
9discoverFinding something you didn’t know before
10hopefulFeeling like good things will happen

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What was the snail’s name?
2. Why did the snail want a shell?
3. Who did the snail meet that gave him advice?
4. What did the snail collect to make his own shell?
5. How did the other animals feel about the snail’s shell?
6. How did the snail feel when he finished making his shell?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once there was a snail named Sam who didn’t have a shell. He really (1)______ one but couldn’t find the right one anywhere. One day, he (2)______ to look for the perfect shell.

On his journey, Sam met lots of animals and asked them about a shell. But they didn’t understand why he wanted one. They (3)______ he was fine without a shell.

Then, Sam met a wise owl who (4)______ him that finding a shell isn’t just about looking. It’s about being (5)______ and making your own. Sam thought about what the owl said and (6)______ hopeful.

Sam started collecting things from the garden like stones, leaves, and flower petals. He (7)______ hard to make his own shell. When he was done, he had a beautiful shell that was just right for him. The other animals were amazed and (8)______ Sam’s shell a lot. Sam felt happy and proud.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a snail?
2. How do you think Sam felt when he couldn’t find a shell? Why?
3. Do you like collecting things? Why or why not?
4. How would you feel if you had to make your own shell? Why?
5. What do you think the other animals thought when they saw Sam’s shell? Why?
6. Do you think it’s important to be patient? Why or why not?
7. Have you ever made something by yourself? What was it?
8. How do you think Sam felt when the other animals liked his shell? Why?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. journey
2. animals
3. patient
4. garden
5. stones
6. leaves
7. flower
8. proud
9. discover
10. hopeful

Meanings:
(A) A place outside where plants grow
(B) Going on a long trip
(C) Finding something you didn’t know before
(D) Creatures like bunnies and birds
(E) Waiting nicely without getting upset
(F) Hard, small pieces of the earth
(G) Feeling very happy about what you did
(H) Green parts of a plant or tree that fall off
(I) Feeling like good things will happen
(J) A pretty part of a plant that smells nice
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the snail in the story?
(a) Max
(b) Sam
(c) Lily
(d) Jack

2. What did Sam want to find?
(a) A hat
(b) A toy
(c) A shell
(d) A book

3. Who did Sam meet that gave him advice?
(a) A rabbit
(b) A squirrel
(c) An owl
(d) A bird

4. What did Sam collect to make his shell?
(a) Stones, leaves, and flower petals
(b) Toys and books
(c) Hats and shoes
(d) Candy and cookies

5. How did Sam feel when he finished making his shell?
(a) Sad and lonely
(b) Angry and upset
(c) Scared and worried
(d) Happy and proud

6. What did the other animals think of Sam’s shell?
(a) They didn’t like it at all
(b) They were scared of it
(c) They thought it was too small
(d) They liked it a lot

7. What did Sam learn from the wise owl?
(a) That shells are not important
(b) That finding a shell takes patience and effort
(c) That he should give up on finding a shell
(d) That shells are only for birds

8. How did Sam feel when he finally had a shell?
(a) Happy and proud
(b) Sad and lonely
(c) Angry and upset
(d) Scared and worried

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Sam asked numerous animals about a shell, but they couldn’t understand why he wanted one.
2. Sam stayed at home to search for the perfect shell.
3. Once upon a time, there was a snail named Sam who didn’t have a shell.
4. The owl said that Sam needed to be patient and make his own shell.
5. Then, Sam met a wise owl who told him that finding a shell isn’t just about looking.
6. When Sam completed making his shell, the other animals were surprised and disliked it a lot.
7. Sam collected items from the garden like stones, leaves, and flower petals to make his own shell.
8. Sam really wanted a shell but couldn’t find the right one anywhere.
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 snail’s name?
Sam

2. Why did the snail want a shell?
He wanted a shell because he didn’t have one and he wanted to feel safe and protected.

3. Who did the snail meet that gave him advice?
He met a wise owl who gave him advice.

4. What did the snail collect to make his own shell?
He collected stones, leaves, and flower petals from the garden.

5. How did the other animals feel about the snail’s shell?
They were amazed and liked the snail’s shell a lot.

6. How did the snail feel when he finished making his shell?
He felt happy and proud.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) wanted
(2) decided
(3) thought
(4) told
(5) patient
(6) felt
(7) worked
(8) liked
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. journey
Answer: (B) Going on a long trip

2. animals
Answer: (D) Creatures like bunnies and birds

3. patient
Answer: (E) Waiting nicely without getting upset

4. garden
Answer: (A) A place outside where plants grow

5. stones
Answer: (F) Hard, small pieces of the earth

6. leaves
Answer: (H) Green parts of a plant or tree that fall off

7. flower
Answer: (J) A pretty part of a plant that smells nice

8. proud
Answer: (G) Feeling very happy about what you did

9. discover
Answer: (C) Finding something you didn’t know before

10. hopeful
Answer: (I) Feeling like good things will happen
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the snail in the story?
Answer: (b) Sam

2. What did Sam want to find?
Answer: (c) A shell

3. Who did Sam meet that gave him advice?
Answer: (c) An owl

4. What did Sam collect to make his shell?
Answer: (a) Stones, leaves, and flower petals

5. How did Sam feel when he finished making his shell?
Answer: (d) Happy and proud

6. What did the other animals think of Sam’s shell?
Answer: (d) They liked it a lot

7. What did Sam learn from the wise owl?
Answer: (b) That finding a shell takes patience and effort

8. How did Sam feel when he finally had a shell?
Answer: (a) Happy and proud
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Sam asked numerous animals about a shell, but they couldn’t understand why he wanted one. (Answer: False)
2. Sam stayed at home to search for the perfect shell. (Answer: False)
3. Once upon a time, there was a snail named Sam who didn’t have a shell. (Answer: True)
4. The owl said that Sam needed to be patient and make his own shell. (Answer: True)
5. Then, Sam met a wise owl who told him that finding a shell isn’t just about looking. (Answer: True)
6. When Sam completed making his shell, the other animals were surprised and disliked it a lot. (Answer: False)
7. Sam collected items from the garden like stones, leaves, and flower petals to make his own shell. (Answer: False)
8. Sam really wanted a shell but couldn’t find the right one anywhere. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 1 stories?

Mia and Ben conquer the Maze of Mirrors, learning the value of perseverance and laughter.

The Maze of Mirrors

Mia and Ben went into a mirror maze and got all mixed up, but they kept going because they were brave.

A little girl named Lily discovers a jar of magical marmalade that brings everything to life.

The Magical Marmalade

Lily and Bubbles had a magical day in the garden, making things dance and telling jokes, but grumpy Grumblebore learned to smile and have fun too.

The Magic Pony

Once upon a time, in a beautiful meadow, there lived a magic pony named Sparkle. Sparkle was a kind and

A dragon and a squirrel team up to find an enchanted treasure, but the squirrel has a secret plan.

The Dragon’s Dream

Dillon the dragon had special dreams that showed him exciting adventures, like finding a shiny treasure!

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