Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

Short Stories for Kids

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The Tale of the Turquoise Tortoise

A shy tortoise named Timothy embarks on a thrilling adventure with his animal friends to find a hidden treasure.

Try this story at a different level?

 

In a magical place called Zippity-Zap, there was a tortoise named Timothy. He had a bright blue shell, and everyone wanted to be his friend, but he was too shy. He liked being by himself more.

One day, Timothy found a feather while walking. The feather had writing on it that said to follow it to find treasure. Timothy got excited about going on an adventure.

Timothy carried the feather and started his journey. He met a rabbit named Chester, a squirrel named Penny, and a badger named Bruno. These new friends helped him as he went over rivers and through tight spots.

After a long time, they found a cave with a chest full of shiny things. But then, they got trapped when a big rock closed the cave entrance. Bruno the badger dug a tunnel, and they all got out safely.

When they got back, all the animals in Zippity-Zap were happy for them. They learned that being friends and helping each other was the best treasure. Timothy and his friends were happy and continued to live peacefully, remembering their great adventure.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

1magicalLike something from a fairy tale, full of wonder
2tortoiseA slow-moving animal with a hard shell that it can hide inside
3shyFeeling nervous around other people
4adventureAn exciting experience where you do and see new things
5journeyA trip from one place to another
6squirrelA small animal with a bushy tail that climbs trees
7badgerA black and white animal that lives in the ground and can dig well
8trappedNot able to get out
9tunnelA long, underground passage
10safelyWithout getting hurt
11peacefullyCalm and quiet
12treasureSomething valuable, like gold or jewels

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What color was Timothy’s shell?
2. Why did Timothy like being by himself?
3. What did Timothy find while he was walking?
4. Who were the new friends that Timothy met on his journey?
5. What did Bruno the badger do to help them get out of the cave?
6. What did the animals in Zippity-Zap learn from Timothy and his friends?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In a (1)______ place called Zippity-Zap, there was a tortoise named Timothy. He had a bright (2)______ shell, and everyone wanted to be his friend, but he was too shy. He liked being by himself (3)______.

One day, Timothy found a feather while walking. The feather had writing on it that said to follow it to find treasure. Timothy got excited about going on an adventure.

Timothy carried the feather and started his (4)______. He met a rabbit named Chester, a squirrel named (5)______, and a badger named (6)______. These new friends helped him as he went over rivers and through tight spots.

After a long time, they (7)______ a cave with a chest full of shiny things. But then, they got (8)______ when a big rock closed the cave entrance. Bruno the (9)______ dug a tunnel, and they all got out safely.

When they got back, all the animals in Zippity-Zap were happy for them. They learned that being (10)______ and (11)______ each other was the best treasure. (12)______ and his friends were happy and continued to live peacefully, remembering their great adventure.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your favorite color? Why?
2. How would you feel if you found a feather with a message on it? Why?
3. Do you like going on adventures? Why or why not?
4. What do you think is the best treasure in life? Why?
5. Have you ever helped a friend? How did it make you feel?
6. What is your favorite animal? Why do you like it?
7. If you were Timothy, would you be shy or would you like making friends? Why?
8. Do you think it’s important to have friends? Why or why not?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. magical
2. tortoise
3. shy
4. adventure
5. journey
6. squirrel
7. badger
8. trapped
9. tunnel
10. safely
11. peacefully
12. treasure

Meanings:
(A) Calm and quiet
(B) Without getting hurt
(C) Not able to get out
(D) A small animal with a bushy tail that climbs trees
(E) An exciting experience where you do and see new things
(F) A black and white animal that lives in the ground and can dig well
(G) A slow-moving animal with a hard shell that it can hide inside
(H) Something valuable, like gold or jewels
(I) Like something from a fairy tale, full of wonder
(J) A long, underground passage
(K) A trip from one place to another
(L) Feeling nervous around other people
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What color was Timothy’s shell?
(a) Green
(b) Red
(c) Bright blue
(d) Yellow

2. What did Timothy find while walking?
(a) A rock
(b) A feather
(c) A stick
(d) A flower

3. Who did Timothy meet on his journey?
(a) Chester, Penny, and Bruno
(b) Watson, Smith, and Jones
(c) Robert, Smith, and Bruno
(d) Chester, Penny, and Robert

4. What did Timothy and his friends find in the cave?
(a) A chest full of shiny things
(b) A map to another treasure
(c) A magic wand
(d) A secret door

5. How did Timothy and his friends get trapped in the cave?
(a) They got lost inside the cave
(b) A big rock closed the cave entrance
(c) The cave collapsed
(d) They fell into a deep hole

6. Who dug a tunnel to help Timothy and his friends escape?
(a) Chester the rabbit
(b) Penny the squirrel
(c) Timothy the tortoise
(d) Bruno the badger

7. What did the animals in Zippity-Zap learn from Timothy’s adventure?
(a) Shiny things are the most important
(b) Adventures are scary and should be avoided
(c) Being friends and helping each other was the best treasure
(d) Timothy was lucky to find the feather

8. How did Timothy and his friends feel at the end of the story?
(a) Sad and lonely
(b) Scared and tired
(c) Excited and adventurous
(d) Happy and peaceful

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Apart, Timothy and his old friends face obstacles and find a pile of dull things.
2. One day, Timothy finds a feather with a message that leads him to a treasure.
3. Timothy is a rabbit who lives in a dull place called Mundaneville.
4. They learn that the true treasure is the friendship and help they provided each other.
5. Timothy has a bright blue shell that makes him popular among other animals.
6. Uninterested in going on an adventure, Timothy drops the feather and ends his journey.
7. Despite his unpopularity, Timothy enjoys being around others and is quite outgoing.
8. Along the way, Timothy meets new friends like Chester the rabbit, Penny the squirrel, and Bruno the badger.
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 color was Timothy’s shell?
Timothy’s shell was bright blue.

2. Why did Timothy like being by himself?
Timothy liked being by himself because he was shy and preferred being alone.

3. What did Timothy find while he was walking?
Timothy found a feather with writing on it.

4. Who were the new friends that Timothy met on his journey?
The new friends that Timothy met on his journey were Chester the rabbit, Penny the squirrel, and Bruno the badger.

5. What did Bruno the badger do to help them get out of the cave?
Bruno the badger dug a tunnel to help them get out of the cave.

6. What did the animals in Zippity-Zap learn from Timothy and his friends?
The animals in Zippity-Zap learned that being friends and helping each other was the best treasure.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) magical
(2) blue
(3) more
(4) journey
(5) Penny
(6) Bruno
(7) found
(8) trapped
(9) badger
(10) friends
(11) helping
(12) Timothy
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. magical
Answer: (I) Like something from a fairy tale, full of wonder

2. tortoise
Answer: (G) A slow-moving animal with a hard shell that it can hide inside

3. shy
Answer: (L) Feeling nervous around other people

4. adventure
Answer: (E) An exciting experience where you do and see new things

5. journey
Answer: (K) A trip from one place to another

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

7. badger
Answer: (F) A black and white animal that lives in the ground and can dig well

8. trapped
Answer: (C) Not able to get out

9. tunnel
Answer: (J) A long, underground passage

10. safely
Answer: (B) Without getting hurt

11. peacefully
Answer: (A) Calm and quiet

12. treasure
Answer: (H) Something valuable, like gold or jewels
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What color was Timothy’s shell?
Answer: (c) Bright blue

2. What did Timothy find while walking?
Answer: (b) A feather

3. Who did Timothy meet on his journey?
Answer: (a) Chester, Penny, and Bruno

4. What did Timothy and his friends find in the cave?
Answer: (a) A chest full of shiny things

5. How did Timothy and his friends get trapped in the cave?
Answer: (b) A big rock closed the cave entrance

6. Who dug a tunnel to help Timothy and his friends escape?
Answer: (d) Bruno the badger

7. What did the animals in Zippity-Zap learn from Timothy’s adventure?
Answer: (c) Being friends and helping each other was the best treasure

8. How did Timothy and his friends feel at the end of the story?
Answer: (d) Happy and peaceful
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Apart, Timothy and his old friends face obstacles and find a pile of dull things. (Answer: False)
2. One day, Timothy finds a feather with a message that leads him to a treasure. (Answer: True)
3. Timothy is a rabbit who lives in a dull place called Mundaneville. (Answer: False)
4. They learn that the true treasure is the friendship and help they provided each other. (Answer: True)
5. Timothy has a bright blue shell that makes him popular among other animals. (Answer: True)
6. Uninterested in going on an adventure, Timothy drops the feather and ends his journey. (Answer: False)
7. Despite his unpopularity, Timothy enjoys being around others and is quite outgoing. (Answer: False)
8. Along the way, Timothy meets new friends like Chester the rabbit, Penny the squirrel, and Bruno the badger. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 2 stories?

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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.

The Loyal Dog

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

Polly's determination pays off when she finds her lost puppy safe and sound.

Polly’s New Puppy

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Embarking on a magical adventure in Vegetable Land, Max discovers that vegetables are superheroes in disguise.

The Voyage to Vegetable Land

Max, a boy who hated vegetables, went on an adventure to Vegetable Land and met talking veggies who changed his mind about healthy food.

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