Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

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Short Stories for Kids

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The Great Cake Contest

Silly Sally's interactive circus cake, complete with a mischievous kitten, wins The Great Cake Contest.

Try this story at a different level?

 

In Sweetopia, there was a big event called The Great Cake Contest. Bakers from all over came to show off their fancy cakes. People couldn’t wait to see all the cool cakes on the big table.

On contest day, bakers were super excited in their kitchens. There was Granny Gertie, known for her apple pie cakes, and Pierre the Pastry Prince, famous for his tall éclair cakes. But Silly Sally was the funniest baker, who thought cakes should make you happy.

The people were amazed by the cakes. Granny Gertie’s cake had shiny caramel, and Pierre’s éclairs were super tall. Silly Sally had made a circus tent cake with fun elephants and acrobats made of frosting.

But then, a playful kitten named Sprinkles jumped onto Silly Sally’s cake! Everyone was shocked, and Silly Sally looked sad. But quickly, she smiled, picked up Sprinkles, and said, “My cake is now the first cake you can play with!” Everyone clapped and laughed, loving the idea.

The judges tried all the cakes. They loved Granny Gertie’s cozy apple cake and Pierre’s light éclairs. But they loved Sally’s funny circus cake the most because it was so joyful. Sally won the contest! She told everyone, “Life is like baking – unexpected things can be great if we just smile and get creative.” Everyone cheered, happy to be reminded that surprises and fun are part of life.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

1eventA special thing that happens, like a party or a sports game
2bakersPeople who make bread, cakes, and pastries as their job
3fancySomething that looks very nice or has a lot of decoration
4amazedVery surprised, in a good way
5caramelA sweet, sticky, brown candy that is often used as a topping or filling for desserts
6playfulFull of fun and liking to play or joke
7shockedVery surprised, but not in a good way, almost like you can’t believe it
8clappedHit your hands together to make a sound when you like something, like in a show
9judgesPeople who decide who wins in a competition
10cozyWarm, comfortable, and making you feel relaxed
11unexpectedSomething that happens when you don’t think it will
12creativeHaving good ideas and making new things that didn’t exist before

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What was the big event in Sweetopia called?
2. Who were some of the bakers at the contest?
3. What happened to Silly Sally’s cake?
4. How did Silly Sally react when the kitten jumped on her cake?
5. What did the judges think of Granny Gertie’s cake and Pierre’s éclairs?
6. Why did Sally’s circus cake win the contest?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In Sweetopia, there was a big event (1)______ The (2)______ Cake Contest. Bakers from all over came to show off their fancy cakes. People couldn’t wait to see all the cool cakes on the big table.

On contest day, (3)______ were super excited in their kitchens. There was Granny Gertie, known for her apple pie cakes, and Pierre the Pastry Prince, famous for his (4)______ éclair cakes. But Silly Sally was the funniest baker, who thought cakes should make you happy.

The people were amazed by the cakes. Granny Gertie’s cake had shiny caramel, and Pierre’s éclairs were super tall. Silly Sally had made a circus (5)______ cake with fun (6)______ and acrobats made of frosting.

But then, a (7)______ful kitten named Sprinkles jumped onto Silly Sally’s cake! Everyone was shocked, and Silly Sally looked sad. But quickly, she smiled, (8)______ up Sprinkles, and said, “My cake is now the first cake you can play with!” Everyone clapped and laughed, loving the idea.

The judges tried all the cakes. They loved (9)______ Gertie’s cozy (10)______ cake and Pierre’s light (11)______. But they loved Sally’s funny circus cake the most because it was so joyful. Sally won the contest! She told everyone, “Life is like baking – unexpected things can be great if we just smile and get creative.” Everyone cheered, (12)______ to be reminded that surprises and fun are part of life.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your favorite type of cake and why?
2. How would you feel if a playful kitten jumped on your cake?
3. Do you like surprises? Why or why not?
4. What do you think is the most important thing about baking a cake?
5. How do you feel when you make someone else happy?
6. What is your favorite part of a circus? Why?
7. Do you think it’s important to be creative? Why or why not?
8. How does it feel when you win a contest or competition? Why?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. event
2. bakers
3. fancy
4. amazed
5. caramel
6. playful
7. shocked
8. clapped
9. judges
10. cozy
11. unexpected
12. creative

Meanings:
(A) A special thing that happens, like a party or a sports game
(B) People who decide who wins in a competition
(C) Something that happens when you don’t think it will
(D) Hit your hands together to make a sound when you like something, like in a show
(E) Something that looks very nice or has a lot of decoration
(F) Having good ideas and making new things that didn’t exist before
(G) Warm, comfortable, and making you feel relaxed
(H) Very surprised, in a good way
(I) People who make bread, cakes, and pastries as their job
(J) Very surprised, but not in a good way, almost like you can’t believe it
(K) Full of fun and liking to play or joke
(L) A sweet, sticky, brown candy that is often used as a topping or filling for desserts
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What was the name of the big event in Sweetopia?
(a) The Sweetopia Bake-Off
(b) The Fancy Cake Showcase
(c) The Pastry Prince Competition
(d) The Great Cake Contest

2. Who was known for their apple pie cakes?
(a) Pierre the Pastry Prince
(b) Granny Gertie
(c) Silly Sally
(d) Sprinkles the Kitten

3. What kind of cakes was Pierre famous for?
(a) Chocolate lava cakes
(b) Strawberry shortcake
(c) Vanilla sponge cakes
(d) Tall éclair cakes

4. What happened to Silly Sally’s cake during the contest?
(a) It fell off the table
(b) The judges accidentally dropped it
(c) A playful kitten named Sprinkles jumped on it
(d) It caught on fire

5. How did Silly Sally react when Sprinkles jumped on her cake?
(a) She cried and ran away
(b) She yelled at Sprinkles
(c) She smiled and picked up Sprinkles
(d) She threw her cake in the trash

6. What did Silly Sally say when she picked up Sprinkles?
(a) “My cake is now the first cake you can play with!”
(b) “I can’t believe you ruined my cake!”
(c) “This is the worst day ever!”
(d) “I’m going to win this contest!”

7. Why did the judges love Sally’s circus cake the most?
(a) Because it had the most frosting
(b) Because it was so joyful
(c) Because it was the tallest cake
(d) Because it had the most flavors

8. What did Sally tell everyone after winning the contest?
(a) “Life is like baking – unexpected things can be great if we just smile and get creative.”
(b) “I’m the best baker in Sweetopia!”
(c) “I can’t believe I won!”
(d) “I’m going to make even better cakes next time!”

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The Terrible Cake Contest took place in a town called Bitterville.
2. Sensible Sally was a baker who believed cakes should bring sadness.
3. Granny Gertie was known for making apple pie cakes.
4. Silly Sally turned the mishap into a positive by making her cake the first one that people could play with.
5. A playful kitten named Sprinkles accidentally jumped onto Silly Sally’s cake.
6. Silly Sally’s cake had a beach theme with frosting elephants and acrobats.
7. Bakers from different places came to participate in the contest.
8. Pierre the Pastry Prince was famous for his short éclair cakes.
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 big event in Sweetopia called?
The big event in Sweetopia was called The Great Cake Contest.

2. Who were some of the bakers at the contest?
Some of the bakers at the contest were Granny Gertie, Pierre the Pastry Prince, and Silly Sally.

3. What happened to Silly Sally’s cake?
A playful kitten named Sprinkles jumped onto Silly Sally’s cake.

4. How did Silly Sally react when the kitten jumped on her cake?
Silly Sally smiled, picked up Sprinkles, and said her cake is now the first cake you can play with.

5. What did the judges think of Granny Gertie’s cake and Pierre’s éclairs?
The judges loved Granny Gertie’s cozy apple cake and Pierre’s light éclairs.

6. Why did Sally’s circus cake win the contest?
Sally’s circus cake won the contest because it was joyful and made everyone happy.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) called
(2) Great
(3) bakers
(4) tall
(5) tent
(6) elephants
(7) play
(8) picked
(9) Granny
(10) apple
(11) éclairs
(12) happy
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. event
Answer: (A) A special thing that happens, like a party or a sports game

2. bakers
Answer: (I) People who make bread, cakes, and pastries as their job

3. fancy
Answer: (E) Something that looks very nice or has a lot of decoration

4. amazed
Answer: (H) Very surprised, in a good way

5. caramel
Answer: (L) A sweet, sticky, brown candy that is often used as a topping or filling for desserts

6. playful
Answer: (K) Full of fun and liking to play or joke

7. shocked
Answer: (J) Very surprised, but not in a good way, almost like you can’t believe it

8. clapped
Answer: (D) Hit your hands together to make a sound when you like something, like in a show

9. judges
Answer: (B) People who decide who wins in a competition

10. cozy
Answer: (G) Warm, comfortable, and making you feel relaxed

11. unexpected
Answer: (C) Something that happens when you don’t think it will

12. creative
Answer: (F) Having good ideas and making new things that didn’t exist before
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What was the name of the big event in Sweetopia?
Answer: (d) The Great Cake Contest

2. Who was known for their apple pie cakes?
Answer: (b) Granny Gertie

3. What kind of cakes was Pierre famous for?
Answer: (d) Tall éclair cakes

4. What happened to Silly Sally’s cake during the contest?
Answer: (c) A playful kitten named Sprinkles jumped on it

5. How did Silly Sally react when Sprinkles jumped on her cake?
Answer: (c) She smiled and picked up Sprinkles

6. What did Silly Sally say when she picked up Sprinkles?
Answer: (a) “My cake is now the first cake you can play with!”

7. Why did the judges love Sally’s circus cake the most?
Answer: (b) Because it was so joyful

8. What did Sally tell everyone after winning the contest?
Answer: (a) “Life is like baking – unexpected things can be great if we just smile and get creative.”
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The Terrible Cake Contest took place in a town called Bitterville. (Answer: False)
2. Sensible Sally was a baker who believed cakes should bring sadness. (Answer: False)
3. Granny Gertie was known for making apple pie cakes. (Answer: True)
4. Silly Sally turned the mishap into a positive by making her cake the first one that people could play with. (Answer: True)
5. A playful kitten named Sprinkles accidentally jumped onto Silly Sally’s cake. (Answer: True)
6. Silly Sally’s cake had a beach theme with frosting elephants and acrobats. (Answer: False)
7. Bakers from different places came to participate in the contest. (Answer: True)
8. Pierre the Pastry Prince was famous for his short éclair cakes. (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.

Stella the unicorn uses her magical rainbow to spread happiness and love to all creatures.

The Rainbow Bridge

Stella the unicorn gets an invitation to a contest and wins magic dust to make everyone happy.

The Loyal Dog

Once upon a time there was a loyal dog named Max. Max was a playful pup with a heart of

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