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 Adventure in the Hidden Hollow

Max discovers a magical forest, befriends a quirky rabbit, and embarks on a whimsical adventure.

Try this story at a different level?

 

In a small village full of green fields, lived a curious boy named Max. One sunny day, Max was exploring the edge of town when he found a thick forest that seemed to whisper secrets. Curious, he went deeper into the forest, his heart beating with excitement. He didn’t know it, but he was about to go on an amazing adventure in a place called the Hidden Hollow, known only to a few.

As Max entered the Hidden Hollow, he saw a beautiful sight: colorful flowers moving with the wind, and shiny streams like silver ribbons. While looking at a funny mushroom, a tiny purple rabbit wearing glasses and a bow tie jumped out! “Hello, adventurer!” said the rabbit, fixing his glasses. “I’m Professor Fluffbottom, the guardian of Hidden Hollow. Why are you here?” Max laughed, amazed by the funny-looking rabbit.

Before Max could answer, Fluffbottom took out a map from his tiny backpack. “Our home is in danger! A naughty squirrel named Windy Whiskers stole the Golden Acorn that keeps our land beautiful. Without it, the flowers will wilt, and the streams will dry up!” Seeing how special the place was, Max couldn’t ignore the problem. “Let’s go get that acorn back!” he said bravely.

Max and Fluffbottom followed the map that took them through dizzying paths, making Max’s head spin and the rabbit giggle. They climbed hills that looked like candy and crossed fields with playful flowers. They met singing butterflies who agreed to help if they could sing their favorite song. “The Bouncing Beetle Boogie!” they sang loudly, making Max join in. Even Professor Fluffbottom tried to dance and ended up falling, making everyone laugh.

Finally, they reached Windy Whiskers’ home, a tall tree with huge branches. Max saw the squirrel juggling the Golden Acorn. “Stop right there, Windy!” Max yelled, trying to be brave. The squirrel saw Max and dropped the acorn, laughing. “I was just having fun! Make me laugh, and I’ll give it back!” Max then told the funniest jokes he knew. Soon, Windy was laughing so hard he forgot about the acorn. Max and Fluffbottom took the acorn and returned it to its place, making the Hollow even more beautiful. Max learned that laughter and kindness can solve many problems. He waved goodbye to his new friends, realizing that the best adventures can happen in unexpected places and sometimes, a good joke can create a new friendship.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

1curiousWanting to know more about something
2exploringTraveling through an area to learn about it
3adventureAn exciting and unusual experience
4guardianSomeone who protects or takes care of something
5wiltTo become weak and start to die (usually used for plants)
6dizzyingMaking you feel like you are spinning around
7playfulFull of fun and energy
8agreedSaid yes to something
9jugglingThrowing and catching several things at the same time
10bravelyShowing courage and not being afraid
11realizedUnderstood something clearly
12unexpectedNot expected or predicted
13solveTo find an answer to a problem
14friendshipA close and trusting relationship between people
15kindnessBeing friendly and considerate to others

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What did Max discover at the edge of town that led him to an adventure?
2. How did Max feel when he entered the Hidden Hollow for the first time?
3. Who is Professor Fluffbottom, and what role does he play in the story?
4. What problem did Max and Fluffbottom need to solve in Hidden Hollow?
5. Describe the journey Max and Fluffbottom took to find the Golden Acorn.
6. How did Max manage to get the Golden Acorn back from Windy Whiskers?
7. What lesson did Max learn by the end of his adventure in Hidden Hollow?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In a (1)______ village full of green fields, lived a curious boy named Max. One sunny day, Max was exploring the edge of town when he found a thick forest that seemed to whisper secrets. Curious, he went deeper into the forest, his heart beating with excitement. He didn’t know it, but he was about to go on an (2)______ adventure in a place called the Hidden Hollow, (3)______ only to a few.

As Max entered the Hidden Hollow, he saw a beautiful sight: colorful flowers moving with the wind, and shiny streams like silver ribbons. While looking at a (4)______ mushroom, a tiny purple rabbit wearing glasses and a bow tie jumped out! “Hello, adventurer!” said the rabbit, fixing his glasses. “I’m Professor Fluffbottom, the guardian of Hidden Hollow. Why are you here?” Max laughed, amazed by the funny-looking rabbit.

Before Max could answer, Fluffbottom took out a map from his tiny backpack. “Our home is in danger! A naughty squirrel named Windy Whiskers stole the (5)______ Acorn that keeps our land beautiful. Without it, the (6)______ will wilt, and the streams will dry up!” (7)______ how special the (8)______ was, Max couldn’t ignore the problem. “Let’s go get that acorn back!” he said bravely.

Max and (9)______ followed the map that took them through dizzying paths, making Max’s head spin and the rabbit giggle. They climbed hills that looked like candy and crossed fields with playful flowers. They met (10)______ butterflies who agreed to help if they could sing their favorite song. “The (11)______ Beetle (12)______!” they sang loudly, making Max join in. Even Professor Fluffbottom tried to dance and ended up falling, making everyone laugh.

Finally, they reached Windy Whiskers’ home, a tall tree with huge branches. Max saw the squirrel juggling the Golden Acorn. “Stop right there, Windy!” Max yelled, trying to be brave. The squirrel saw Max and dropped the acorn, (13)______. “I was just having fun! Make me laugh, and I’ll give it back!” Max then told the funniest jokes he knew. Soon, Windy was laughing so hard he forgot about the acorn. Max and Fluffbottom took the acorn and (14)______ it to its place, making the Hollow even more beautiful. Max learned that laughter and (15)______ can solve many problems. He waved goodbye to his new (16)______, realizing that the best adventures can happen in unexpected places and sometimes, a good joke can create a new friendship.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your favorite adventure you’ve ever had? Why was it special to you?

2. How would you feel if you discovered a secret place like the Hidden Hollow? Would you be excited or scared? Why?

3. Do you think it’s important to help others, like Max helped the creatures in the Hidden Hollow? Why or why not?

4. What is a funny joke that always makes you laugh? Why do you think it’s funny?

5. How would you react if you met a talking animal like Professor Fluffbottom? Would you be surprised or think it was cool? Why?

6. Do you like exploring new places? Why or why not? What do you enjoy most about it?

7. What do you think makes a good friend? Do you think laughter is important in friendship? Why?

8. How would you feel if you had to solve a problem using humor, like Max did with Windy Whiskers? Do you think you could do it? Why or why not?

9. Do you think adventures are better when you have friends with you? Why or why not?

10. What is a lesson you learned from a fun experience? How did it change your view on something?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. curious
2. exploring
3. adventure
4. guardian
5. wilt
6. dizzying
7. playful
8. agreed
9. juggling
10. bravely
11. realized
12. unexpected
13. solve
14. friendship
15. kindness

Meanings:
(A) Not expected or predicted
(B) To become weak and start to die (usually used for plants)
(C) Traveling through an area to learn about it
(D) Showing courage and not being afraid
(E) Understood something clearly
(F) Making you feel like you are spinning around
(G) Wanting to know more about something
(H) A close and trusting relationship between people
(I) Full of fun and energy
(J) Being friendly and considerate to others
(K) Throwing and catching several things at the same time
(L) To find an answer to a problem
(M) An exciting and unusual experience
(N) Someone who protects or takes care of something
(O) Said yes to something
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the curious boy in the story?
(a) Max
(b) Sam
(c) Leo
(d) Jake

2. Who is the guardian of Hidden Hollow?
(a) Mr. Whiskers
(b) Captain Cuddles
(c) Sir Hopsalot
(d) Professor Fluffbottom

3. What did Windy Whiskers steal?
(a) A silver key
(b) The Golden Acorn
(c) A magic wand
(d) A treasure chest

4. What song did the singing butterflies want to sing?
(a) The Fluttering Fairy Tune
(b) The Dancing Daisy Song
(c) The Bouncing Beetle Boogie
(d) The Whispering Wind Melody

5. How did Max get the Golden Acorn back from Windy Whiskers?
(a) By making him laugh
(b) By challenging him to a race
(c) By tricking him
(d) By scaring him away

6. What did Max learn from his adventure?
(a) Always be cautious in the forest
(b) Friends are more important than adventures
(c) Laughter and kindness can solve problems
(d) Squirrels are not to be trusted

7. What did Max and Fluffbottom encounter on their journey?
(a) Angry bees
(b) Playful flowers
(c) Scary wolves
(d) A talking tree

8. Where did Max find the Hidden Hollow?
(a) In a cave
(b) On a mountain
(c) In a desert
(d) At the edge of the town

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The forest is called Hidden Hollow and is known only to a few.
2. Max learns that silence and selfishness can help worsen problems and break friendships during his adventure.
3. To get the acorn back, Max makes Windy laugh by telling him funny jokes.
4. Max meets a tiny purple rabbit named Professor Fluffbottom, who is the guardian of Hidden Hollow.
5. Max and Fluffbottom embark on a quest to retrieve the Golden Acorn from Windy Whiskers.
6. Max is an indifferent boy who lives in a large city surrounded by grey buildings.
7. He avoids a mysterious forest while exploring the edge of town.
8. Professor Fluffbottom reveals that a chipmunk named Whistling Whiskers has found the Golden Acorn, which is irrelevant for the beauty of their land.
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 Max discover at the edge of town that led him to an adventure?
Max discovered a thick forest that seemed to whisper secrets, which led him to an amazing adventure in a place called the Hidden Hollow.

2. How did Max feel when he entered the Hidden Hollow for the first time?
Max felt excited and amazed by the beautiful sights, including colorful flowers and shiny streams.

3. Who is Professor Fluffbottom, and what role does he play in the story?
Professor Fluffbottom is a tiny purple rabbit wearing glasses and a bow tie. He is the guardian of Hidden Hollow and helps Max on his adventure to recover the stolen Golden Acorn.

4. What problem did Max and Fluffbottom need to solve in Hidden Hollow?
They needed to solve the problem of the stolen Golden Acorn, which was taken by a naughty squirrel named Windy Whiskers. Without it, the land would become wilted and dry.

5. Describe the journey Max and Fluffbottom took to find the Golden Acorn.
Max and Fluffbottom followed a map through dizzying paths, climbed candy-like hills, and crossed fields with playful flowers. They also encountered singing butterflies who helped them by singing their favorite song.

6. How did Max manage to get the Golden Acorn back from Windy Whiskers?
Max made Windy Whiskers laugh by telling him funny jokes. Windy laughed so hard that he forgot about the acorn, allowing Max and Fluffbottom to take it back.

7. What lesson did Max learn by the end of his adventure in Hidden Hollow?
Max learned that laughter and kindness can solve many problems and that the best adventures can happen in unexpected places. He also realized that a good joke can create new friendships.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) small
(2) amazing
(3) known
(4) funny
(5) Golden
(6) flowers
(7) Seeing
(8) place
(9) Fluffbottom
(10) singing
(11) Bouncing
(12) Boogie
(13) laughing
(14) returned
(15) kindness
(16) friends
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. curious
Answer: (G) Wanting to know more about something

2. exploring
Answer: (C) Traveling through an area to learn about it

3. adventure
Answer: (M) An exciting and unusual experience

4. guardian
Answer: (N) Someone who protects or takes care of something

5. wilt
Answer: (B) To become weak and start to die (usually used for plants)

6. dizzying
Answer: (F) Making you feel like you are spinning around

7. playful
Answer: (I) Full of fun and energy

8. agreed
Answer: (O) Said yes to something

9. juggling
Answer: (K) Throwing and catching several things at the same time

10. bravely
Answer: (D) Showing courage and not being afraid

11. realized
Answer: (E) Understood something clearly

12. unexpected
Answer: (A) Not expected or predicted

13. solve
Answer: (L) To find an answer to a problem

14. friendship
Answer: (H) A close and trusting relationship between people

15. kindness
Answer: (J) Being friendly and considerate to others
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the curious boy in the story?
Answer: (a) Max

2. Who is the guardian of Hidden Hollow?
Answer: (d) Professor Fluffbottom

3. What did Windy Whiskers steal?
Answer: (b) The Golden Acorn

4. What song did the singing butterflies want to sing?
Answer: (c) The Bouncing Beetle Boogie

5. How did Max get the Golden Acorn back from Windy Whiskers?
Answer: (a) By making him laugh

6. What did Max learn from his adventure?
Answer: (c) Laughter and kindness can solve problems

7. What did Max and Fluffbottom encounter on their journey?
Answer: (b) Playful flowers

8. Where did Max find the Hidden Hollow?
Answer: (d) At the edge of the town
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The forest is called Hidden Hollow and is known only to a few. (Answer: True)
2. Max learns that silence and selfishness can help worsen problems and break friendships during his adventure. (Answer: False)
3. To get the acorn back, Max makes Windy laugh by telling him funny jokes. (Answer: True)
4. Max meets a tiny purple rabbit named Professor Fluffbottom, who is the guardian of Hidden Hollow. (Answer: True)
5. Max and Fluffbottom embark on a quest to retrieve the Golden Acorn from Windy Whiskers. (Answer: True)
6. Max is an indifferent boy who lives in a large city surrounded by grey buildings. (Answer: False)
7. He avoids a mysterious forest while exploring the edge of town. (Answer: False)
8. Professor Fluffbottom reveals that a chipmunk named Whistling Whiskers has found the Golden Acorn, which is irrelevant for the beauty of their land. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 3 stories?

A mischievous squirrel named Benny embarks on an unexpected journey after stealing a tangerine.

The Tangerine Thief

Benny the squirrel’s mischievous act of stealing a tangerine led to an exciting chase and unexpected friendships.

In the magical land of Sprinkleville, a mischievous gnome named Minty Mischief plots to steal all the cupcakes from the famous cupcake castle, but a young girl named Ella is determined to stop him and save the town from chaos.

The Cupcake Castle Caper

A mischievous gnome named Minty steals cupcakes, but a girl named Ella catches him and teaches him a lesson about honesty.

A dragon overcomes the challenge of losing his voice by using enchanted invitations for his birthday party.

The Dragon’s Birthday

Sparkle the dragon couldn’t talk, but that didn’t stop him from throwing an epic birthday party with magical invites and sign language.

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