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 Patchwork Path

A little girl named Lily embarks on a magical adventure along the Patchwork Path.

Try this story at a different level?

 

In a little village, a girl named Lily found a colorful blanket in her grandma’s attic. Grandma said the blanket was special and could take her on a fun trip.

Lily walked on the blanket and saw many cool places. She saw big trees, shiny rivers, and tall mountains. She played with animals who could talk and found treasure.

One day, Lily needed to cross a big gap. A squirrel used a rope to help her swing over. She was scared but made it across. Then, she walked into a dark cave but was brave and kept going.

At the end, Lily saw her home from a big hill. She was happy and told her family about her adventure. Her sister wanted to go on an adventure too. The magical blanket was ready for another child to find it.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

1colorfulLots of different bright colors
2specialVery important and not like other things
3tripA journey or travel to a place
4shinyBright and sparkly like little stars
5treasureHidden gold, jewels, or valuable things
6gapA space where something is missing
7squirrelA small animal with a bushy tail that climbs trees
8swingTo move back and forth hanging from something, like a rope
9braveBeing strong and not afraid
10adventureA fun journey where you see and do new things

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What did Lily find in her grandma’s attic?
2. Where did Lily go when she walked on the blanket?
3. What did Lily see when she walked on the blanket?
4. How did Lily cross the big gap?
5. What did Lily do when she walked into the dark cave?
6. Who did Lily tell about her adventure?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In a little village, a (1)______ named Lily found a colorful blanket in her grandma’s attic. Grandma said the blanket was special and could (2)______ her on a fun trip.

Lily walked on the blanket and saw many cool places. She saw big (3)______, shiny rivers, and (4)______ mountains. She played with animals who could talk and found treasure.

One day, Lily needed to cross a big gap. A squirrel used a rope to (5)______ her swing over. She was scared but made it across. Then, she walked into a dark cave but was brave and kept going.

At the end, (6)______ saw her home from a big hill. She was happy and told her (7)______ about her adventure. Her sister (8)______ to go on an adventure too. The magical blanket was ready for another child to find it.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a blanket?
2. How would you feel if you found a magical blanket like Lily did?
3. Do you like going on adventures? Why or why not?
4. What do you think it would be like to talk to animals?
5. How would you feel if you had to cross a big gap like Lily did? Why?
6. What do you think it would be like to explore a dark cave?
7. Do you think it’s important to be brave? Why or why not?
8. What would you do if you found a magical blanket like Lily did?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. colorful
2. special
3. trip
4. shiny
5. treasure
6. gap
7. squirrel
8. swing
9. brave
10. adventure

Meanings:
(A) A fun journey where you see and do new things
(B) Bright and sparkly like little stars
(C) Being strong and not afraid
(D) Hidden gold, jewels, or valuable things
(E) Very important and not like other things
(F) A journey or travel to a place
(G) A small animal with a bushy tail that climbs trees
(H) To move back and forth hanging from something, like a rope
(I) Lots of different bright colors
(J) A space where something is missing
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Where did Lily find the colorful blanket?
(a) In her bedroom
(b) In the park
(c) In the store
(d) In her grandma’s attic

2. What did Lily see when she walked on the blanket?
(a) Cars and buildings
(b) Big trees, shiny rivers, and tall mountains
(c) Toys and games
(d) Books and pencils

3. Who helped Lily swing over a big gap?
(a) A bird
(b) A cat
(c) A squirrel
(d) A dog

4. What did Lily find at the end of her adventure?
(a) Her home from a big hill
(b) A new friend
(c) A magic wand
(d) A big cake

5. How did Lily feel when she crossed the big gap?
(a) Happy and excited
(b) Sad and lonely
(c) Angry and frustrated
(d) Scared but made it across

6. What did Lily’s sister want to do after hearing about her adventure?
(a) Stay at home
(b) Go on an adventure too
(c) Watch TV
(d) Sleep

7. What did Lily’s grandma say about the blanket?
(a) It was special and could take her on a fun trip
(b) It was old and dirty
(c) It was boring and plain
(d) It was broken and useless

8. What happened to the magical blanket at the end of the story?
(a) It disappeared
(b) It turned into a toy
(c) It was ready for another child to find it
(d) It became a regular blanket

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Lily’s sister didn’t want to go on an adventure too, and the blanket was not ready for another child to find it.
2. A squirrel helped Lily swing over a big gap using a rope.
3. Lily played with animals who could talk and found treasure.
4. Lily was scared and not brave as she walked into a dark cave.
5. At the end of her trip, Lily didn’t see her home from a big hill.
6. Lily saw big trees, shiny rivers, and tall mountains on her trip.
7. The blanket couldn’t take Lily on a fun trip to different places.
8. Lily found a special blanket in her grandma’s attic.
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 Lily find in her grandma’s attic?
Lily found a colorful blanket in her grandma’s attic.

2. Where did Lily go when she walked on the blanket?
Lily went on a fun trip when she walked on the blanket.

3. What did Lily see when she walked on the blanket?
When Lily walked on the blanket, she saw big trees, shiny rivers, and tall mountains.

4. How did Lily cross the big gap?
Lily crossed the big gap by swinging on a rope that a squirrel helped her with.

5. What did Lily do when she walked into the dark cave?
When Lily walked into the dark cave, she was brave and kept going.

6. Who did Lily tell about her adventure?
Lily told her family about her adventure.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) girl
(2) take
(3) trees
(4) tall
(5) help
(6) Lily
(7) family
(8) wanted
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. colorful
Answer: (I) Lots of different bright colors

2. special
Answer: (E) Very important and not like other things

3. trip
Answer: (F) A journey or travel to a place

4. shiny
Answer: (B) Bright and sparkly like little stars

5. treasure
Answer: (D) Hidden gold, jewels, or valuable things

6. gap
Answer: (J) A space where something is missing

7. squirrel
Answer: (G) A small animal with a bushy tail that climbs trees

8. swing
Answer: (H) To move back and forth hanging from something, like a rope

9. brave
Answer: (C) Being strong and not afraid

10. adventure
Answer: (A) A fun journey where you see and do new things
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Where did Lily find the colorful blanket?
Answer: (d) In her grandma’s attic

2. What did Lily see when she walked on the blanket?
Answer: (b) Big trees, shiny rivers, and tall mountains

3. Who helped Lily swing over a big gap?
Answer: (c) A squirrel

4. What did Lily find at the end of her adventure?
Answer: (a) Her home from a big hill

5. How did Lily feel when she crossed the big gap?
Answer: (d) Scared but made it across

6. What did Lily’s sister want to do after hearing about her adventure?
Answer: (b) Go on an adventure too

7. What did Lily’s grandma say about the blanket?
Answer: (a) It was special and could take her on a fun trip

8. What happened to the magical blanket at the end of the story?
Answer: (c) It was ready for another child to find it
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Lily’s sister didn’t want to go on an adventure too, and the blanket was not ready for another child to find it. (Answer: False)
2. A squirrel helped Lily swing over a big gap using a rope. (Answer: True)
3. Lily played with animals who could talk and found treasure. (Answer: True)
4. Lily was scared and not brave as she walked into a dark cave. (Answer: False)
5. At the end of her trip, Lily didn’t see her home from a big hill. (Answer: False)
6. Lily saw big trees, shiny rivers, and tall mountains on her trip. (Answer: True)
7. The blanket couldn’t take Lily on a fun trip to different places. (Answer: False)
8. Lily found a special blanket in her grandma’s attic. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 1 stories?

Three friends stumble upon a magical peach palace filled with talking animals and enchanted treasures, unlocking their own creativity and joy.

The Peculiar Peach Palace

Max, Sam, and Mia found a special house with talking animals and fairies that made them laugh. They discovered magic inside and learned that they could make their own magic too.

The Secret Treehouse

Once there was a boy named Jack who lived in a small village by the forest. Every day, Jack would

A mischievous penguin named Percy and a wise snow owl named Oliver form an unbreakable friendship on their journey to the legendary "Penguin Parade."

The Penguin Parade

Percy the penguin found a secret map and went on an adventure with his new friend Oliver.

Feedback