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 Remarkable Raspberry Rain

A young girl named Emily discovers a tree that produces rainbow-colored raspberries, bringing joy to her village.

Try this story at a different level?

 

In the small town of Berryville, there lived a brave girl named Emily who loved to go on adventures. One day, while exploring the woods, she found a very strange tree. It was covered in colorful raspberries! When Emily ate one, it started to rain raspberries from the sky!

Emily ran to tell everyone in town about the magic tree. People rushed out with pots and pans to catch the rainbow raspberries. Everyone was so happy and the town filled with colors. It was like a big, joyful party every day.

But after some time, the raspberries began to lose their color and people got sad. The magic was disappearing and no one knew what to do. Emily knew she had to help find a way to bring the colors back.

Emily looked and looked until she found an old book in the library. The book said that the sound of children laughing could bring the magic back. So, Emily got all the kids together to play and joke. They laughed so much that it could be heard all around.

The next day, everyone gathered under the magic tree. Suddenly, the air smelled like raspberries and it started to rain them again, this time even more beautiful. The town cheered and laughed together. They learned that happiness and laughter could make special things happen.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

1adventuresGoing on exciting trips or doing exciting things
2exploringLooking around to find new things
3strangeNot normal or usual
4colorfulHaving many bright colors
5magicSomething that seems to have special powers
6joyfulVery happy
7disappearingGoing away or not able to be seen anymore
8libraryA place with lots of books you can read or borrow
9laughingMaking sounds when something is funny
10gatheredCame together in one place
11suddenlyHappening quickly and without warning
12cheeredShouted happily because they were excited or pleased

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What did Emily find in the woods that was covered in colorful raspberries?
2. What happened when Emily ate one of the raspberries?
3. Why did people in the town rush out with pots and pans?
4. Why did the raspberries start losing their color?
5. Where did Emily find the information about how to bring the colors back?
6. What did Emily and the other kids do to bring the magic back?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In the small town of Berryville, there lived a brave girl named (1)______ who loved to go on adventures. One day, while exploring the woods, she (2)______ a very strange tree. It was covered in colorful (3)______! When Emily ate one, it started to rain raspberries from the sky!

Emily ran to tell everyone in town about the magic tree. People rushed out with pots and pans to catch the rainbow raspberries. Everyone was so happy and the (4)______ filled with colors. It was like a big, joyful (5)______ every day.

But after some (6)______, the raspberries began to lose their color and people got sad. The magic was disappearing and no one knew what to do. Emily knew she had to help find a way to bring the colors back.

Emily looked and looked until she found an old book in the (7)______. The book said that the sound of children (8)______ could bring the magic back. So, Emily got all the kids together to play and (9)______. They laughed so much that it could be (10)______ all around.

The next day, everyone gathered under the magic tree. Suddenly, the air (11)______ like raspberries and it started to rain them again, this time even more beautiful. The town cheered and laughed together. They learned that happiness and laughter could make (12)______ things happen.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is an adventure? Do you like going on adventures? Why or why not?
2. How would you feel if you found a tree that made it rain your favorite fruit? Why?
3. Do you think it’s important to share good news with others? Why or why not?
4. What do you think happened when the raspberries lost their color? Why do you think people got sad?
5. How do you think Emily felt when she found the old book in the library? Why?
6. Do you think laughter is important? Why or why not?
7. What special things do you think can happen when people are happy and laughing together? Why?
8. Have you ever experienced something magical or special happening when you were happy or laughing? What was it? Why do you think it happened?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. adventures
2. exploring
3. strange
4. colorful
5. magic
6. joyful
7. disappearing
8. library
9. laughing
10. gathered
11. suddenly
12. cheered

Meanings:
(A) Something that seems to have special powers
(B) Looking around to find new things
(C) Came together in one place
(D) A place with lots of books you can read or borrow
(E) Shouted happily because they were excited or pleased
(F) Going away or not able to be seen anymore
(G) Having many bright colors
(H) Very happy
(I) Not normal or usual
(J) Going on exciting trips or doing exciting things
(K) Happening quickly and without warning
(L) Making sounds when something is funny
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What did Emily find in the woods?
(a) A strange tree covered in colorful raspberries
(b) A hidden treasure chest
(c) A secret cave
(d) A talking animal

2. What happened when Emily ate one of the raspberries?
(a) It started to rain raspberries from the sky
(b) She turned into a raspberry
(c) The tree disappeared
(d) She fell asleep

3. How did the people in town react when they heard about the magic tree?
(a) They ignored Emily and went about their day
(b) They were scared of the magic tree
(c) They didn’t believe Emily and thought she was making it up
(d) They rushed out with pots and pans to catch the rainbow raspberries

4. What happened to the raspberries after some time?
(a) They turned into apples
(b) They began to lose their color
(c) They started growing on other trees in town
(d) They multiplied and covered the entire town

5. How did Emily discover a way to bring the colors back?
(a) She asked a wise old man for advice
(b) She had a dream about it
(c) She stumbled upon a magical potion
(d) She found an old book in the library

6. What did the book in the library say could bring the magic back?
(a) The sound of bells ringing
(b) The sound of children laughing
(c) The smell of flowers blooming
(d) The taste of chocolate

7. What did Emily do to bring the magic back?
(a) She sang a special song
(b) She danced under the magic tree
(c) She got all the kids together to play and joke
(d) She planted more raspberry trees

8. What happened the next day when everyone gathered under the magic tree?
(a) The tree disappeared forever
(b) The raspberries turned into apples
(c) The air smelled like raspberries and it started to rain them again
(d) The town became sad again

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. When Emily ate one of the raspberries, it started to rain raspberries from the sky.
2. The town of Berryville became filled with colors and everyone was happy.
3. The next day, the town scattered away from the magic tree and it started to rain even more ugly raspberries, dispelling the magic.
4. Eventually, the raspberries started to lose their color and people became sad.
5. Emily found a tree in the woods that was covered in bland raspberries.
6. Emily gathered all the kids together to play and joke, and they laughed so much that it could be heard all around.
7. Emily is a scared girl who hates going on adventures.
8. Emily discovered an old book in the library that said children laughing could not bring the magic back.
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 Emily find in the woods that was covered in colorful raspberries?
Emily found a strange tree covered in colorful raspberries.

2. What happened when Emily ate one of the raspberries?
When Emily ate one of the raspberries, it started to rain raspberries from the sky.

3. Why did people in the town rush out with pots and pans?
People in the town rushed out with pots and pans to catch the rainbow raspberries.

4. Why did the raspberries start losing their color?
The raspberries started losing their color because the magic was disappearing.

5. Where did Emily find the information about how to bring the colors back?
Emily found the information about how to bring the colors back in an old book in the library.

6. What did Emily and the other kids do to bring the magic back?
Emily and the other kids laughed and played together to bring the magic back.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) Emily
(2) found
(3) raspberries
(4) town
(5) party
(6) time
(7) library
(8) laughing
(9) joke
(10) heard
(11) smelled
(12) special
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. adventures
Answer: (J) Going on exciting trips or doing exciting things

2. exploring
Answer: (B) Looking around to find new things

3. strange
Answer: (I) Not normal or usual

4. colorful
Answer: (G) Having many bright colors

5. magic
Answer: (A) Something that seems to have special powers

6. joyful
Answer: (H) Very happy

7. disappearing
Answer: (F) Going away or not able to be seen anymore

8. library
Answer: (D) A place with lots of books you can read or borrow

9. laughing
Answer: (L) Making sounds when something is funny

10. gathered
Answer: (C) Came together in one place

11. suddenly
Answer: (K) Happening quickly and without warning

12. cheered
Answer: (E) Shouted happily because they were excited or pleased
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What did Emily find in the woods?
Answer: (a) A strange tree covered in colorful raspberries

2. What happened when Emily ate one of the raspberries?
Answer: (a) It started to rain raspberries from the sky

3. How did the people in town react when they heard about the magic tree?
Answer: (d) They rushed out with pots and pans to catch the rainbow raspberries

4. What happened to the raspberries after some time?
Answer: (b) They began to lose their color

5. How did Emily discover a way to bring the colors back?
Answer: (d) She found an old book in the library

6. What did the book in the library say could bring the magic back?
Answer: (b) The sound of children laughing

7. What did Emily do to bring the magic back?
Answer: (c) She got all the kids together to play and joke

8. What happened the next day when everyone gathered under the magic tree?
Answer: (c) The air smelled like raspberries and it started to rain them again
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. When Emily ate one of the raspberries, it started to rain raspberries from the sky. (Answer: True)
2. The town of Berryville became filled with colors and everyone was happy. (Answer: True)
3. The next day, the town scattered away from the magic tree and it started to rain even more ugly raspberries, dispelling the magic. (Answer: False)
4. Eventually, the raspberries started to lose their color and people became sad. (Answer: True)
5. Emily found a tree in the woods that was covered in bland raspberries. (Answer: False)
6. Emily gathered all the kids together to play and joke, and they laughed so much that it could be heard all around. (Answer: True)
7. Emily is a scared girl who hates going on adventures. (Answer: False)
8. Emily discovered an old book in the library that said children laughing could not bring the magic back. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 2 stories?

Bella, a butterfly with vibrant wings, embarks on a treacherous journey to restore her colors.

The Butterfly Who Lost Her Colors

Bella the butterfly lost her colorful wings, but with the help of a wise owl, she found a special flower that brought them back even brighter than before.

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

The Enigma of Echo Cave

Emma, Ben, and Lucy find a secret cave and get trapped, but with the help of a creature named Enigma, they solve riddles and learn about friendship.

Freddie Firefly embarks on a daring adventure, encountering a spider, a lost caterpillar, and wise owls.

The Adventures of Freddie Firefly

Freddie the firefly had an exciting adventure in the magical forest, where he made new friends and learned important lessons about bravery and friendship.

Captain Pete, the Polka-Dot Pirate, embarks on a treasure hunt and discovers the true meaning of sharing.

The Polka-Dot Pirate

Captain Pete, a pirate who loved polka-dots, found a special dotted treasure on an island and learned to share it with others.

Blaze, the Blue Tiger

Once upon a time, in a magical forest, there lived a beautiful blue tiger named Blaze. Blaze was very special

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