Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

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Short Stories for Kids

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The Adventures of Wally Watermelon

A mischievous watermelon named Wally discovers a magical crystal and becomes a superhero in a new world.

Try this story at a different level?

 

In a land full of fruits and vegetables, there was a naughty watermelon named Wally. He was different from his friendly fruit pals because he loved to go on wild adventures and often got into trouble. One sunny day, Wally went to explore a magic forest near his home without knowing that he was about to have his biggest adventure yet.

Wally found himself bouncing through some tall grass when he discovered a hidden cave. Driven by his curiosity, he decided to go in and found a glowing crystal with many colors. Wally touched the crystal and was suddenly sent to a strange new world.

In that new place, Wally was shocked to see talking animals and plants, and even more, he now had arms and legs! He also had superpowers – jumping high, swimming fast, and being able to shoot seeds like little bullets. Wally and the animals decided to work together to defeat an evil wizard who planned to turn all fruits and veggies into ice cream.

Wally and his new friends faced a bunch of challenges, like huge spiders, dangerous mountains, and a river of fire. During the journey, Wally learned about how important it is to work together and be friends. He saw that even the smallest fruit can do great things if they try hard and support each other.

At last, they reached the evil wizard’s castle and fought against him. Thanks to everyone’s help and Wally’s special seed-shooting ability, they won and the kingdom was saved. The fruits and veggies threw a big party to honor Wally as a hero. When Wally went back to his village, he was different. He understood that his powers should be used to help others. From then on, Wally became the protector of the forest and was always ready for a new adventure, but this time to do good things and make a positive change in the world.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

1naughtyBehaving badly or not following rules
2adventureAn exciting experience where you do and see new things
3exploreTo look around a new place to see what it is like
4curiosityWanting to learn about something or find out about it
5crystalA clear, hard mineral that can be found in the ground and is often valuable
6superpowersAmazing abilities that normal people don’t have
7challengesDifficult tasks or problems that test your ability
8journeyA trip from one place to another
9importantHaving great value or significance
10supportTo give help or assistance to someone
11kingdomA place or realm ruled by a king or queen
12honorTo show great respect or admiration for someone
13protectorSomeone who guards or defends something
14positiveHaving a good effect or outcome
15changeTo make or become different

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Who was Wally and what made him different from the other fruits and vegetables?
2. What did Wally find in the hidden cave and what happened when he touched it?
3. What changes did Wally experience when he arrived in the new world?
4. Why did Wally and the animals decide to work together?
5. What challenges did Wally and his friends face during their journey?
6. What important lesson did Wally learn during his adventure?
7. How did Wally use his powers to help others and make a positive change in the world?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In a land full of fruits and vegetables, there was a naughty watermelon named Wally. He was different from his (1)______ fruit pals because he loved to go on wild adventures and often got into trouble. One sunny day, Wally went to explore a magic forest near his home without knowing that he was (2)______ to have his biggest adventure yet.

Wally found himself (3)______ through some tall (4)______ when he discovered a hidden cave. Driven by his curiosity, he decided to go in and found a glowing crystal with many colors. (5)______ touched the crystal and was suddenly sent to a strange new world.

In that new place, Wally was shocked to see talking animals and plants, and even more, he now had arms and legs! He also had superpowers – (6)______ high, swimming fast, and being able to (7)______ seeds like little (8)______. Wally and the animals decided to work together to defeat an evil wizard who planned to turn all (9)______s and veggies into ice cream.

Wally and his new friends faced a bunch of challenges, like huge spiders, dangerous mountains, and a river of fire. During the journey, Wally learned about how important it is to work together and be friends. He saw that even the smallest fruit can do great things if they try hard and (10)______ each other.

At last, they reached the evil wizard’s (11)______ and fought against him. (12)______ to everyone’s help and Wally’s (13)______ seed-shooting ability, they won and the (14)______ was saved. The fruits and veggies threw a big party to honor Wally as a hero. When Wally went back to his village, he was different. He understood that his powers should be used to help others. From then on, Wally (15)______ the (16)______ of the forest and was always ready for a new adventure, but this time to do good things and make a positive change in the world.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a wild adventure? Have you ever been on a wild adventure?
2. How would you feel if you suddenly found yourself in a strange new world? Why?
3. Do you like the idea of having superpowers like Wally? Why or why not?
4. What do you think is the importance of working together and being friends?
5. How do you think Wally felt when he realized that even the smallest fruit can do great things? Why?
6. Do you think it’s important to use our abilities to help others? Why or why not?
7. What do you think Wally learned from his adventure? Why is it important?
8. How would you feel if you were honored as a hero like Wally? Why?
9. Do you think Wally’s decision to become the protector of the forest was a good one? Why or why not?
10. Can you think of a time when you made a positive change in the world or helped someone? How did it make you feel?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. naughty
2. adventure
3. explore
4. curiosity
5. crystal
6. superpowers
7. challenges
8. journey
9. important
10. support
11. kingdom
12. honor
13. protector
14. positive
15. change

Meanings:
(A) To look around a new place to see what it is like
(B) Someone who guards or defends something
(C) To show great respect or admiration for someone
(D) Difficult tasks or problems that test your ability
(E) Having great value or significance
(F) Behaving badly or not following rules
(G) To make or become different
(H) A place or realm ruled by a king or queen
(I) Having a good effect or outcome
(J) Amazing abilities that normal people don’t have
(K) An exciting experience where you do and see new things
(L) Wanting to learn about something or find out about it
(M) A clear, hard mineral that can be found in the ground and is often valuable
(N) A trip from one place to another
(O) To give help or assistance to someone
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What made Wally different from his fruit pals?
(a) He had arms and legs.
(b) He could shoot seeds like bullets.
(c) He had superpowers.
(d) He loved going on wild adventures.

2. How did Wally end up in a strange new world?
(a) He followed his friends to a magic forest.
(b) He accidentally fell into a portal.
(c) He touched a glowing crystal in a hidden cave.
(d) He was transported by an evil wizard.

3. What superpowers did Wally have in the strange new world?
(a) Flying, invisibility, and super strength.
(b) Jumping high, swimming fast, and shooting seeds.
(c) Telekinesis, mind reading, and teleportation.
(d) Shape-shifting, time travel, and super speed.

4. Why did Wally and the animals decide to work together?
(a) To explore the strange new world.
(b) To find a way back home.
(c) To become friends.
(d) To defeat an evil wizard.

5. What challenges did Wally and his friends face during their journey?
(a) Huge spiders, dangerous mountains, and a river of fire.
(b) Riddles, mazes, and hidden traps.
(c) Giant snakes, quicksand, and a dark forest.
(d) Storms, earthquakes, and a labyrinth.

6. What did Wally learn during his adventure?
(a) The importance of working together and being friends.
(b) How to use his superpowers effectively.
(c) The secrets of the magic forest.
(d) The history of the evil wizard.

7. How did Wally and his friends defeat the evil wizard?
(a) By using a powerful spell.
(b) By stealing the wizard’s magic wand.
(c) With everyone’s help and Wally’s seed-shooting ability.
(d) By tricking the wizard into a trap.

8. What did Wally become after his adventure?
(a) The king of the fruits and veggies.
(b) The protector of the forest.
(c) A famous explorer.
(d) A superhero.

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Wally and his enemies successfully defeat the evil wizard and save the kingdom.
2. Wally and his friends face challenges like spiders, mountains, and a river of fire during their journey.
3. Wally is an obedient watermelon who dislikes going on exciting adventures.
4. Wally returns to his village as a unchanged watermelon, neglecting his powers and failing to help others or protect the forest.
5. Wally learns the significance of individual work and solitude while on his adventure.
6. In the new world, Wally gains arms, legs, and superpowers like jumping high and shooting seeds.
7. Wally teams up with talking animals and plants to defeat an evil wizard who wants to turn fruits and veggies into ice cream.
8. Wally discovers a hidden cave in a magic forest, which leads him to a new world.
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. Who was Wally and what made him different from the other fruits and vegetables?
Wally was a naughty watermelon who loved going on wild adventures. He was different because he was always getting into trouble and had a thirst for excitement.

2. What did Wally find in the hidden cave and what happened when he touched it?
Wally found a glowing crystal with many colors in the hidden cave. When he touched it, he was transported to a strange new world.

3. What changes did Wally experience when he arrived in the new world?
When Wally arrived in the new world, he suddenly had arms and legs. He also gained superpowers, such as the ability to jump high, swim fast, and shoot seeds like bullets.

4. Why did Wally and the animals decide to work together?
Wally and the animals decided to work together to defeat an evil wizard who planned to turn all fruits and vegetables into ice cream. They knew that by joining forces, they would have a better chance of stopping the wizard and saving their friends.

5. What challenges did Wally and his friends face during their journey?
Wally and his friends faced challenges such as huge spiders, dangerous mountains, and a river of fire. These obstacles tested their bravery and teamwork.

6. What important lesson did Wally learn during his adventure?
During his adventure, Wally learned the importance of working together and being friends. He saw that even the smallest fruit can accomplish great things if they try hard and support each other.

7. How did Wally use his powers to help others and make a positive change in the world?
Wally used his powers, especially his ability to shoot seeds like bullets, to fight against the evil wizard and protect the kingdom. By defeating the wizard and saving his friends, Wally made a positive change in the world and became the protector of the forest.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) friendly
(2) about
(3) bouncing
(4) grass
(5) Wally
(6) jumping
(7) shoot
(8) bullets
(9) fruit
(10) support
(11) castle
(12) Thanks
(13) special
(14) kingdom
(15) became
(16) protector
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. naughty
Answer: (F) Behaving badly or not following rules

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

3. explore
Answer: (A) To look around a new place to see what it is like

4. curiosity
Answer: (L) Wanting to learn about something or find out about it

5. crystal
Answer: (M) A clear, hard mineral that can be found in the ground and is often valuable

6. superpowers
Answer: (J) Amazing abilities that normal people don’t have

7. challenges
Answer: (D) Difficult tasks or problems that test your ability

8. journey
Answer: (N) A trip from one place to another

9. important
Answer: (E) Having great value or significance

10. support
Answer: (O) To give help or assistance to someone

11. kingdom
Answer: (H) A place or realm ruled by a king or queen

12. honor
Answer: (C) To show great respect or admiration for someone

13. protector
Answer: (B) Someone who guards or defends something

14. positive
Answer: (I) Having a good effect or outcome

15. change
Answer: (G) To make or become different
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What made Wally different from his fruit pals?
Answer: (d) He loved going on wild adventures.

2. How did Wally end up in a strange new world?
Answer: (c) He touched a glowing crystal in a hidden cave.

3. What superpowers did Wally have in the strange new world?
Answer: (b) Jumping high, swimming fast, and shooting seeds.

4. Why did Wally and the animals decide to work together?
Answer: (d) To defeat an evil wizard.

5. What challenges did Wally and his friends face during their journey?
Answer: (a) Huge spiders, dangerous mountains, and a river of fire.

6. What did Wally learn during his adventure?
Answer: (a) The importance of working together and being friends.

7. How did Wally and his friends defeat the evil wizard?
Answer: (c) With everyone’s help and Wally’s seed-shooting ability.

8. What did Wally become after his adventure?
Answer: (b) The protector of the forest.
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Wally and his enemies successfully defeat the evil wizard and save the kingdom. (Answer: False)
2. Wally and his friends face challenges like spiders, mountains, and a river of fire during their journey. (Answer: True)
3. Wally is an obedient watermelon who dislikes going on exciting adventures. (Answer: False)
4. Wally returns to his village as a unchanged watermelon, neglecting his powers and failing to help others or protect the forest. (Answer: False)
5. Wally learns the significance of individual work and solitude while on his adventure. (Answer: False)
6. In the new world, Wally gains arms, legs, and superpowers like jumping high and shooting seeds. (Answer: True)
7. Wally teams up with talking animals and plants to defeat an evil wizard who wants to turn fruits and veggies into ice cream. (Answer: True)
8. Wally discovers a hidden cave in a magic forest, which leads him to a new world. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 3 stories?

A llama farmer builds an obstacle course to keep his mischievous llamas entertained and happy.

The Llama Farmer

Mr. Thompson builds an obstacle course for his llamas, and Milo’s silly antics steal the show.

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

The Polka-Dot Pirate

Captain Pete, the Polka-Dot Pirate, goes on an adventure to find a special treasure hidden on Dottilandia, but discovers that true treasure is about sharing joy and being kind to others.

The Giant’s Garden

Greg’s garden is a magical place filled with colorful flowers and tall plants, but when the mischievous Goblins steal all the seeds, it’s up to Whiskers the kitten to save the day and help Greg make the garden beautiful again.

Lily discovers a hidden door in the enchanted forest and befriends a sparkling fairy named Hazel.

The Fairy’s Secret

Lily discovers a hidden door and meets a shiny fairy named Hazel, who invites her to a secret fairy dance on the full moon; but when an annoying gnome named Grumpyboots tries to ruin the magic, Lily and the fairies work together to save the day and teach Grumpyboots a lesson about forgiveness and kindness.

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