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 Enigma of Echo Cave

A group of adventurous children discover a hidden cave filled with riddles and magical trials.

Try this story at a different level?

 

In a small village next to a big green forest, three brave kids named Emma, Ben, and Lucy loved finding mysteries. One day in the woods, they found a secret cave called Echo Cave that might have treasure. They were super excited about the treasure.

When they went into the cave, the rocks moved and trapped them! They were scared but knew they had to stay calm and look for a way out. They saw mushrooms that glowed and talking animals like a smart owl who tried to help them. But every time they thought they found the exit, it would go away, and they were confused.

After a long time, they started to lose hope. Then, a strange creature named Enigma came. Enigma liked riddles and had been in the cave for hundreds of years. It told the kids that if they solved three riddles, they could go free.

The kids said yes to the challenge. They were smart and solved the first riddle about nature. The second riddle was about solving problems, and they got that right too. The last riddle was about friendship and working together. The kids knew that sticking together and helping each other had gotten them this far, so they answered this riddle easily.

Suddenly, the cave turned into a beautiful place, and they were outside in the sun again. They had beaten the Echo Cave’s challenge! The kids learned that the best treasure wasn’t money, but their friendship, never giving up, and helping each other. Together, they became known in their village for being strong teammates and went on many more adventures, learning more important stuff each time.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

1villageA small town or community, usually in the countryside
2mysteriesThings or situations that are hard to understand or explain
3treasureValuable things like gold, silver, or jewels that are hidden or lost
4trappedNot able to get out; stuck in a place
5mushroomsA type of fungus that can be found in the ground, some can glow or be eaten
6riddlesPuzzles or questions that are tricky and need thinking to answer
7challengeA test of your skills or abilities
8natureEverything that is in the world that is not made by people, like trees, animals, and rivers
9solvedFigured out the answer to a problem
10friendshipThe feeling of being very close and caring about other people
11adventureAn exciting experience that is a little dangerous or unusual
12teammatesPeople who work together, especially in sports or games

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Who were the three brave kids in the story?
2. What did they find in the woods?
3. What happened when they went into the cave?
4. How did the kids feel when they were trapped in the cave?
5. Who helped the kids solve the riddles?
6. What did the kids learn from their adventure in the cave?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In a (1)______ village next to a big green forest, three (2)______ kids (3)______ Emma, Ben, and Lucy loved finding mysteries. One day in the woods, they found a secret cave called Echo Cave that might have treasure. They were super excited about the treasure.

When they went into the cave, the rocks moved and trapped them! They were scared but knew they had to stay calm and look for a way out. They saw mushrooms that (4)______ and talking animals like a smart owl who tried to help them. But every (5)______ they thought they found the exit, it would go away, and they were confused.

After a long time, they started to lose hope. Then, a strange creature named Enigma came. Enigma (6)______ riddles and had been in the cave for hundreds of years. It told the kids that if they solved three riddles, they could go free.

The kids said yes to the challenge. They were smart and solved the first (7)______ about nature. The (8)______ riddle was about solving problems, and they got that right too. The last riddle was about friendship and working together. The kids knew that sticking together and helping each other had gotten them this far, so they (9)______ this riddle easily.

Suddenly, the cave turned into a beautiful place, and they were outside in the sun again. They had beaten the Echo Cave’s challenge! The kids learned that the best (10)______ wasn’t money, but their friendship, never giving up, and helping each other. Together, they became (11)______ in their village for being (12)______ teammates and went on many more adventures, learning more important stuff each time.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a mystery? Have you ever tried to solve a mystery before? Why or why not?
2. How would you feel if you were trapped in a cave like Emma, Ben, and Lucy? Why?
3. Do you like solving riddles? Why or why not?
4. Do you think it’s important to work together and help each other? Why or why not?
5. What is the best treasure in your opinion? Why?
6. Have you ever been on an adventure? What did you learn from it?
7. How do you think Emma, Ben, and Lucy felt when they finally solved the last riddle? Why?
8. Do you think you would have been able to solve the riddles in Echo Cave? Why or why not?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. village
2. mysteries
3. treasure
4. trapped
5. mushrooms
6. riddles
7. challenge
8. nature
9. solved
10. friendship
11. adventure
12. teammates

Meanings:
(A) The feeling of being very close and caring about other people
(B) A small town or community, usually in the countryside
(C) A test of your skills or abilities
(D) Everything that is in the world that is not made by people, like trees, animals, and rivers
(E) Figured out the answer to a problem
(F) Puzzles or questions that are tricky and need thinking to answer
(G) Not able to get out; stuck in a place
(H) People who work together, especially in sports or games
(I) A type of fungus that can be found in the ground, some can glow or be eaten
(J) Valuable things like gold, silver, or jewels that are hidden or lost
(K) An exciting experience that is a little dangerous or unusual
(L) Things or situations that are hard to understand or explain
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the secret cave the kids found?
(a) Echo Cave
(b) Mystery Cave
(c) Treasure Cave
(d) Magic Cave

2. What kind of animals did the kids encounter in the cave?
(a) Flying animals
(b) Scary animals
(c) Invisible animals
(d) Talking animals

3. How did the kids escape from the trapped cave?
(a) By finding a hidden key
(b) By breaking the rocks
(c) By calling for help
(d) By solving three riddles

4. What was the first riddle the kids had to solve?
(a) About math
(b) About nature
(c) About history
(d) About sports

5. What was the second riddle the kids had to solve?
(a) About cooking
(b) About solving problems
(c) About singing
(d) About painting

6. What was the third riddle the kids had to solve?
(a) About money and wealth
(b) About fame and popularity
(c) About friendship and working together
(d) About winning and losing

7. What did the kids learn was the best treasure?
(a) Money and riches
(b) Fame and popularity
(c) Their friendship
(d) Winning and losing

8. What did the kids become known for in their village?
(a) Being strong teammates
(b) Being great athletes
(c) Being talented musicians
(d) Being smart students

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Enigma explained that if they solved three riddles, they would be freed from the cave.
2. The three kids discovered a secret cave called Echo Cave that they believed might contain treasure.
3. After a while, they started to lose hope until a strange creature named Enigma appeared and offered them a challenge.
4. Emma, Ben, and Lucy loathed exploring and finding mysteries in their small village next to a big green forest.
5. Reluctantly, they entered the cave, but were soon freed when the rocks moved and opened their way out.
6. Inside the cave, they encountered dull mushrooms and silent animals, including a foolish owl who tried to hinder them.
7. The kids accepted the challenge and successfully solved all three riddles, ultimately learning that their friendship, perseverance, and teamwork were the true treasures they had gained.
8. Despite their certainty, the kids remained anxious and stopped searching for an exit, which stayed visible whenever they thought they found it.
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. Who were the three brave kids in the story?
The three brave kids in the story were Emma, Ben, and Lucy.

2. What did they find in the woods?
They found a secret cave called Echo Cave in the woods.

3. What happened when they went into the cave?
When they went into the cave, the rocks moved and trapped them inside.

4. How did the kids feel when they were trapped in the cave?
The kids felt scared when they were trapped in the cave.

5. Who helped the kids solve the riddles?
Enigma, a strange creature, helped the kids solve the riddles.

6. What did the kids learn from their adventure in the cave?
The kids learned that the best treasure wasn’t money, but their friendship, never giving up, and helping each other.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) small
(2) brave
(3) named
(4) glowed
(5) time
(6) liked
(7) riddle
(8) second
(9) answered
(10) treasure
(11) known
(12) strong
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. village
Answer: (B) A small town or community, usually in the countryside

2. mysteries
Answer: (L) Things or situations that are hard to understand or explain

3. treasure
Answer: (J) Valuable things like gold, silver, or jewels that are hidden or lost

4. trapped
Answer: (G) Not able to get out; stuck in a place

5. mushrooms
Answer: (I) A type of fungus that can be found in the ground, some can glow or be eaten

6. riddles
Answer: (F) Puzzles or questions that are tricky and need thinking to answer

7. challenge
Answer: (C) A test of your skills or abilities

8. nature
Answer: (D) Everything that is in the world that is not made by people, like trees, animals, and rivers

9. solved
Answer: (E) Figured out the answer to a problem

10. friendship
Answer: (A) The feeling of being very close and caring about other people

11. adventure
Answer: (K) An exciting experience that is a little dangerous or unusual

12. teammates
Answer: (H) People who work together, especially in sports or games
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the secret cave the kids found?
Answer: (a) Echo Cave

2. What kind of animals did the kids encounter in the cave?
Answer: (d) Talking animals

3. How did the kids escape from the trapped cave?
Answer: (d) By solving three riddles

4. What was the first riddle the kids had to solve?
Answer: (b) About nature

5. What was the second riddle the kids had to solve?
Answer: (b) About solving problems

6. What was the third riddle the kids had to solve?
Answer: (c) About friendship and working together

7. What did the kids learn was the best treasure?
Answer: (c) Their friendship

8. What did the kids become known for in their village?
Answer: (a) Being strong teammates
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Enigma explained that if they solved three riddles, they would be freed from the cave. (Answer: True)
2. The three kids discovered a secret cave called Echo Cave that they believed might contain treasure. (Answer: True)
3. After a while, they started to lose hope until a strange creature named Enigma appeared and offered them a challenge. (Answer: True)
4. Emma, Ben, and Lucy loathed exploring and finding mysteries in their small village next to a big green forest. (Answer: False)
5. Reluctantly, they entered the cave, but were soon freed when the rocks moved and opened their way out. (Answer: False)
6. Inside the cave, they encountered dull mushrooms and silent animals, including a foolish owl who tried to hinder them. (Answer: False)
7. The kids accepted the challenge and successfully solved all three riddles, ultimately learning that their friendship, perseverance, and teamwork were the true treasures they had gained. (Answer: True)
8. Despite their certainty, the kids remained anxious and stopped searching for an exit, which stayed visible whenever they thought they found it. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 2 stories?

A dazzling doughnut brings magic and happiness to a sleepy town, teaching the power of kindness.

The Dazzling Doughnut

A special doughnut named Mr. Sprinkles brings happiness to a town called Sugarville with its magic.

A small village is transformed by a baker's magical pies, teaching the importance of sharing.

The Peculiar Purple Pie

Mr. Higgins made magical pies that made people do funny things, but when the villagers got greedy, he taught them about kindness and sharing.

Four adventurous children discover a magical orchard filled with fruits that grant them extraordinary abilities.

The Orchard of Oddities

Four brave kids explore the Orchard of Oddities and discover magical fruits that make them sing, fly, shine, and transform into animals, teaching them about fun and friendship.

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