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 Hidden Treasure of Sunstone Cove

A grumpy crab becomes a friend as three adventurers uncover treasure and laughter together.

Try this story at a different level?

 

In a small village by the sea, there was a legend about a hidden treasure in Sunstone Cove. The treasure was guarded by a grumpy crab named Captain Pinch. One sunny morning, three friends—Milo, Tessa, and Pedro—decided to find the treasure.

The friends took a map they printed from the internet and went to Sunstone Cove. They had a magnifying glass, a metal detector, and peanut butter sandwiches. Tessa wondered if Captain Pinch was a giant crab. Milo joked it might be a tiny crab with a big hat. Pedro just laughed and said he wouldn’t share his lunch with the crab.

On the beach, they found an old sign that read, “Beware of the Snapping Crustacean!” Suddenly, Captain Pinch appeared with claws as big as shoes. “Why are you here?” he asked. Milo explained their quest for the treasure and said they came in peace. The crab was interested but still suspicious. He said, “Solve my riddle, and I might let you pass.”

The riddle was, “I have keys but open no locks, I have space but no room, I have a face but no eyes. What am I?” After many guesses, Pedro finally said, “A computer!” Captain Pinch laughed and said they were correct. The crab decided to guide them to the treasure.

As they walked, they talked and shared their sandwiches with Captain Pinch. They found the treasure under a big rock in a beautiful cove. Inside the chest were gold coins and jewels. Instead of keeping the treasure, the friends used it to build a playground in their village. Captain Pinch became the playground’s guardian, ensuring everyone had fun with a bit of his crabby humor. They learned true treasure is the friends and laughter we find on the way.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

1legendA story from a long time ago that may not be true
2treasureValuable things like gold and jewels
3grumpyIn a bad mood, easily annoyed
4magnifying glassA tool that makes small things look bigger
5metal detectorA device that finds metal objects underground
6suspiciousNot trusting someone or something
7riddleA tricky question that needs to be solved
8guessedThought of an answer without being sure
9guideTo show the way
10chestA large box for storing things
11jewelsPrecious stones like diamonds and rubies
12guardianSomeone who protects or watches over something

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What was the name of the cove where the treasure was hidden?

2. Who were the three friends that wanted to find the treasure?

3. What did Captain Pinch ask the friends to solve before they could go to the treasure?

4. What was the answer to Captain Pinch’s riddle?

5. What did the friends decide to do with the treasure they found?

6. How did Captain Pinch help the friends after they solved the riddle?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In a small village by the sea, there was a legend about a hidden treasure in (1)______ Cove. The treasure was guarded by a grumpy crab named Captain Pinch. One sunny (2)______, three friends—Milo, (3)______, and Pedro—decided to find the treasure.

The friends took a map they printed from the internet and went to Sunstone Cove. They had a magnifying glass, a metal detector, and peanut butter sandwiches. Tessa wondered if Captain Pinch was a giant crab. Milo joked it might be a tiny crab with a big hat. Pedro just laughed and said he wouldn’t share his (4)______ with the crab.

On the beach, they found an old sign that read, “Beware of the Snapping Crustacean!” Suddenly, Captain Pinch appeared with claws as big as shoes. “Why are you here?” he asked. Milo explained their quest for the (5)______ and said they came in (6)______. The crab was interested but still suspicious. He said, “Solve my riddle, and I might let you pass.”

The riddle was, “I have (7)______ but open no locks, I have (8)______ but no room, I have a face but no eyes. What am I?” After many guesses, Pedro finally said, “A computer!” Captain (9)______ laughed and said they were correct. The crab decided to guide them to the treasure.

As they walked, they talked and shared their sandwiches with Captain Pinch. They found the treasure under a big rock in a (10)______ cove. Inside the chest were gold coins and jewels. Instead of keeping the treasure, the friends used it to build a playground in their village. Captain Pinch became the playground’s guardian, (11)______ everyone had fun with a bit of his crabby (12)______. They learned true treasure is the friends and laughter we find on the way.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your favorite treasure? Why do you like it?
2. How would you feel if you met a talking crab like Captain Pinch?
3. Do you think it is better to keep treasure for yourself or share it with others? Why?
4. What is a riddle? Can you think of a fun riddle to share?
5. How do you feel about going on adventures with your friends?
6. Do you like peanut butter sandwiches? What is your favorite sandwich?
7. Do you think it is important to help your community? Why or why not?
8. What would you do if you found a treasure? Would you keep it or share it? Why?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. legend
2. treasure
3. grumpy
4. magnifying glass
5. metal detector
6. suspicious
7. riddle
8. guessed
9. guide
10. chest
11. jewels
12. guardian

Meanings:
(A) Valuable things like gold and jewels
(B) A large box for storing things
(C) Someone who protects or watches over something
(D) A device that finds metal objects underground
(E) A story from a long time ago that may not be true
(F) A tool that makes small things look bigger
(G) Thought of an answer without being sure
(H) In a bad mood, easily annoyed
(I) A tricky question that needs to be solved
(J) To show the way
(K) Not trusting someone or something
(L) Precious stones like diamonds and rubies
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What was the name of the crab guarding the treasure?
(a) Captain Claw
(b) Mr. Crabby
(c) Sir Shell
(d) Captain Pinch

2. What did the friends bring with them on their treasure hunt?
(a) A magnifying glass
(b) A fishing rod
(c) A camera
(d) A map from a book

3. What did Tessa wonder about Captain Pinch?
(a) If he was a giant crab
(b) If he was friendly
(c) If he liked peanut butter
(d) If he had a treasure map

4. What was the riddle Captain Pinch asked the friends to solve?
(a) “I am tall when I am young…”
(b) “I have keys but open no locks…”
(c) “What has a heart that doesn’t beat?”
(d) “What has teeth but cannot bite?”

5. Who correctly answered Captain Pinch’s riddle?
(a) Milo
(b) Pedro
(c) Tessa
(d) Captain Pinch

6. What did the friends find under the big rock?
(a) A giant crab
(b) A pirate ship
(c) A map
(d) A treasure chest

7. What did the friends decide to do with the treasure?
(a) Buy ice cream
(b) Go on a vacation
(c) Build a playground
(d) Keep it for themselves

8. What role did Captain Pinch take after the treasure was found?
(a) The village mayor
(b) The treasure keeper
(c) The playground’s guardian
(d) The beach cleaner

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. A grumpy crab named Captain Pinch guards the treasure.
2. There is a legend about hidden treasure in a place called Sunstone Cove.
3. Pedro correctly answers the riddle, which impresses Captain Pinch.
4. Instead of donating the treasure to charity, the friends use it to build a library for their village.
5. Captain Pinch dares the friends to solve a puzzle to prove their worthiness.
6. The story unfolds in a bustling city by the mountains.
7. They bring a compass, a telescope, a metal detector, and ham sandwiches on their adventure.
8. Three friends named Milo, Tessa, and Pedro decide to search for the treasure.
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 name of the cove where the treasure was hidden?
Sunstone Cove.

2. Who were the three friends that wanted to find the treasure?
Milo, Tessa, and Pedro.

3. What did Captain Pinch ask the friends to solve before they could go to the treasure?
He asked them to solve a riddle.

4. What was the answer to Captain Pinch’s riddle?
The answer was “a computer.”

5. What did the friends decide to do with the treasure they found?
They used it to build a playground in their village.

6. How did Captain Pinch help the friends after they solved the riddle?
He guided them to the treasure.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) Sunstone
(2) morning
(3) Tessa
(4) lunch
(5) treasure
(6) peace
(7) keys
(8) space
(9) Pinch
(10) beautiful
(11) ensuring
(12) humor
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. legend
Answer: (E) A story from a long time ago that may not be true

2. treasure
Answer: (A) Valuable things like gold and jewels

3. grumpy
Answer: (H) In a bad mood, easily annoyed

4. magnifying glass
Answer: (F) A tool that makes small things look bigger

5. metal detector
Answer: (D) A device that finds metal objects underground

6. suspicious
Answer: (K) Not trusting someone or something

7. riddle
Answer: (I) A tricky question that needs to be solved

8. guessed
Answer: (G) Thought of an answer without being sure

9. guide
Answer: (J) To show the way

10. chest
Answer: (B) A large box for storing things

11. jewels
Answer: (L) Precious stones like diamonds and rubies

12. guardian
Answer: (C) Someone who protects or watches over something
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What was the name of the crab guarding the treasure?
Answer: (d) Captain Pinch

2. What did the friends bring with them on their treasure hunt?
Answer: (a) A magnifying glass

3. What did Tessa wonder about Captain Pinch?
Answer: (a) If he was a giant crab

4. What was the riddle Captain Pinch asked the friends to solve?
Answer: (b) “I have keys but open no locks…”

5. Who correctly answered Captain Pinch’s riddle?
Answer: (b) Pedro

6. What did the friends find under the big rock?
Answer: (d) A treasure chest

7. What did the friends decide to do with the treasure?
Answer: (c) Build a playground

8. What role did Captain Pinch take after the treasure was found?
Answer: (c) The playground’s guardian
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. A grumpy crab named Captain Pinch guards the treasure. (Answer: True)
2. There is a legend about hidden treasure in a place called Sunstone Cove. (Answer: True)
3. Pedro correctly answers the riddle, which impresses Captain Pinch. (Answer: True)
4. Instead of donating the treasure to charity, the friends use it to build a library for their village. (Answer: False)
5. Captain Pinch dares the friends to solve a puzzle to prove their worthiness. (Answer: False)
6. The story unfolds in a bustling city by the mountains. (Answer: False)
7. They bring a compass, a telescope, a metal detector, and ham sandwiches on their adventure. (Answer: False)
8. Three friends named Milo, Tessa, and Pedro decide to search for the treasure. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 2 stories?

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Ella the elephant had a big problem in her ear, but her friends Max the monkey and Polly the parrot came to the rescue and saved the day.

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