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!

The Journey to the Starlit Sky

Tilly discovers that sharing stories can reignite the stars' sparkle and brighten the night.

Try this story at a different level?

 

Once there was a little girl named Tilly who lived in a small village. She loved looking at the stars every night and dreamed of going to the sky. One night, after eating yummy apple pie, she wished to see the stars up close.

Suddenly, Tilly saw a bright light and a blue fairy named Twinkle appeared. Twinkle asked if Tilly wanted to go on a journey. Tilly shouted, “Yes!” Twinkle used magic to make a tree turn into a shining staircase up to the sky.

Tilly climbed the tree, but a funny cloud named Fluffy blocked her way. Fluffy wanted to play a game. Tilly made funny faces and noises, making Fluffy laugh. So, Fluffy let Tilly pass.

In the sky, Tilly saw sad stars. They needed a fun story to shine again. Tilly told them a story about a brave cat. The stars loved it and started to shine brightly. Twinkle took Tilly back home, and she learned that making others happy can make your heart shine too.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

1villageA small town
2dreamedThought about something while sleeping
3suddenlyHappened very quickly
4journeyA trip or adventure
5magicSpecial powers that can do amazing things
6staircaseSteps that go up or down
7blockedStopped something from moving
8noisesSounds you hear
9braveVery strong and not afraid
10learnedFound out something new

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What did Tilly love to look at every night?

2. Who did Tilly meet when she saw a bright light?

3. What did Twinkle make for Tilly to climb to the sky?

4. What was the name of the funny cloud that blocked Tilly’s way?

5. What did Tilly do to make Fluffy laugh?

6. What kind of story did Tilly tell the sad stars?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once there was a little girl named Tilly who lived in a small village. She loved looking at the stars every night and dreamed of going to the sky. One night, after (1)______ yummy apple pie, she (2)______ to see the stars up close.

Suddenly, Tilly saw a bright light and a blue fairy named Twinkle appeared. Twinkle asked if Tilly wanted to go on a (3)______. Tilly shouted, “Yes!” Twinkle used magic to make a (4)______ turn into a shining staircase up to the sky.

Tilly climbed the tree, but a funny cloud named (5)______ blocked her way. Fluffy wanted to play a game. Tilly made funny faces and (6)______, making Fluffy laugh. So, Fluffy let Tilly pass.

In the sky, Tilly saw sad stars. They needed a fun (7)______ to shine again. Tilly told them a story about a brave cat. The stars loved it and (8)______ to shine brightly. Twinkle took Tilly back home, and she learned that making others happy can make your heart shine too.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your favorite thing to look at in the sky?

2. How would you feel if you met a fairy like Twinkle?

3. Do you like telling stories? Why or why not?

4. What is a fun game you like to play?

5. How would you feel if you saw sad stars?

6. Do you think it is fun to make others laugh? Why?

7. What is your favorite dessert?

8. How would you feel if you could climb a magical tree?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. village
2. dreamed
3. suddenly
4. journey
5. magic
6. staircase
7. blocked
8. noises
9. brave
10. learned

Meanings:
(A) Special powers that can do amazing things
(B) Thought about something while sleeping
(C) Found out something new
(D) Very strong and not afraid
(E) Happened very quickly
(F) Stopped something from moving
(G) Steps that go up or down
(H) A small town
(I) Sounds you hear
(J) A trip or adventure
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the little girl?
(a) Lily
(b) Tilly
(c) Sally
(d) Molly

2. What did Tilly love to look at?
(a) Flowers
(b) Birds
(c) Stars
(d) Trees

3. Who did Tilly meet in the sky?
(a) A blue fairy
(b) A red dragon
(c) A green monster
(d) A yellow bird

4. What did Twinkle make for Tilly?
(a) A big balloon
(b) A magic wand
(c) A shiny car
(d) A shining staircase

5. What was the name of the funny cloud?
(a) Fluffy
(b) Puffy
(c) Bumpy
(d) Snuffy

6. What did Tilly do to make Fluffy laugh?
(a) Sang a song
(b) Danced around
(c) Made funny faces
(d) Told a joke

7. What did the sad stars need?
(a) A big hug
(b) A fun story
(c) A shiny toy
(d) A warm blanket

8. What did Tilly learn at the end?
(a) Climbing trees is fun
(b) Stars are very bright
(c) Clouds can play games
(d) Making others happy is good

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Twinkle made a shining staircase for Tilly to climb.
2. Tilly wished to see the moon up close after eating apple pie.
3. Tilly told the happy stars a story about a lazy cat.
4. A serious cloud named Fluffy wanted to rest quietly with Tilly.
5. A blue fairy named Twinkle appeared to help Tilly.
6. She loves to look at the stars every night.
7. Tilly is a little girl who lives in a small village.
8. The stars dimmed after hearing Tilly’s story.
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 did Tilly love to look at every night?
Tilly loved to look at the stars every night.

2. Who did Tilly meet when she saw a bright light?
Tilly met a blue fairy named Twinkle.

3. What did Twinkle make for Tilly to climb to the sky?
Twinkle made a shining staircase from a tree.

4. What was the name of the funny cloud that blocked Tilly’s way?
The funny cloud’s name was Fluffy.

5. What did Tilly do to make Fluffy laugh?
Tilly made funny faces and noises.

6. What kind of story did Tilly tell the sad stars?
Tilly told a story about a brave cat.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) eating
(2) wished
(3) journey
(4) tree
(5) Fluffy
(6) noises
(7) story
(8) started
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. village
Answer: (H) A small town

2. dreamed
Answer: (B) Thought about something while sleeping

3. suddenly
Answer: (E) Happened very quickly

4. journey
Answer: (J) A trip or adventure

5. magic
Answer: (A) Special powers that can do amazing things

6. staircase
Answer: (G) Steps that go up or down

7. blocked
Answer: (F) Stopped something from moving

8. noises
Answer: (I) Sounds you hear

9. brave
Answer: (D) Very strong and not afraid

10. learned
Answer: (C) Found out something new
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the little girl?
Answer: (b) Tilly

2. What did Tilly love to look at?
Answer: (c) Stars

3. Who did Tilly meet in the sky?
Answer: (a) A blue fairy

4. What did Twinkle make for Tilly?
Answer: (d) A shining staircase

5. What was the name of the funny cloud?
Answer: (a) Fluffy

6. What did Tilly do to make Fluffy laugh?
Answer: (c) Made funny faces

7. What did the sad stars need?
Answer: (b) A fun story

8. What did Tilly learn at the end?
Answer: (d) Making others happy is good
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Twinkle made a shining staircase for Tilly to climb. (Answer: True)
2. Tilly wished to see the moon up close after eating apple pie. (Answer: False)
3. Tilly told the happy stars a story about a lazy cat. (Answer: False)
4. A serious cloud named Fluffy wanted to rest quietly with Tilly. (Answer: False)
5. A blue fairy named Twinkle appeared to help Tilly. (Answer: True)
6. She loves to look at the stars every night. (Answer: True)
7. Tilly is a little girl who lives in a small village. (Answer: True)
8. The stars dimmed after hearing Tilly’s story. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 1 stories?

Ruby, the mischievous red panda, embarks on a quest to find a golden tree and discovers the true treasure of friendship.

The Riddle of the Red Panda

Ruby the red panda loves playing games and goes on an adventure to find a special treasure with her new friends Ellie the elephant and Terrance the tortoise.

The Ice Cream Island

Once upon a time, there was a special island called Ice Cream Island. It had yummy ice cream and happy friends.

Lily and her animal friends explore a crystal cave, discovering magical powers and learning important lessons.

The Crystal Cave

Lily found a magical cave and made friends with animals who helped her find treasure.

A lonely turtle named Timothy embarks on an adventure to find friends and discovers a hidden cove.

The Lonely Turtle

Timothy the turtle was sad because he had no friends, but then he found a magical compass that led him to new turtle friends.

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