Once there was a boy named Max who lived in a village next to a big green forest. Max was no ordinary boy; he could talk to animals! Since he was little, he could understand what birds, pigs, and even bugs were saying. People in the village thought this was really cool, so they often asked for Max’s help with their pets or to find animals that were lost. Max was happy to help and would always smile when chatting with the animals.

One day, Max was walking in the forest and heard an animal yelling for help. He ran over and saw a group of animals around a big, angry bear that was trapped. The bear was caught by a hunter and Max knew he had to save it fast. He walked up to the bear and said in a calm voice, “Hey, Mr. Bear, you’re stuck but together we can get you free!” The bear stopped being mad and looked at Max, who seemed friendly. With the help of other animals, Max managed to set the bear free.

Max’s ability made for some funny stories as well. There was this time a raccoon cheekily asked Max to point him to some tasty trash. Max did it, but then his neighbor got really upset about the mess. Another time, Max’s dog Buster talked about his favorite bone in front of people, which made everyone surprised. These funny moments always made Max laugh.

Max also learned a lot from being able to talk to animals. He found out that animals have feelings and need to be looked after just like people do. He started telling everyone how important it was to protect animals and to keep their homes safe. Max became known for being kind to animals and taught others to be kind too.

Thanks to Max, his village was filled with happiness and laughter. He helped everyone see that even though people and animals might seem different, they can still understand each other and be friends. Max showed that love and care for animals was something really special.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Who is the main character of the story and what makes him special?
2. Why did the people in the village ask for Max’s help?
3. How did Max save the trapped bear?
4. Can you give an example of a funny moment that happened because of Max’s ability to talk to animals?
5. What did Max learn from being able to talk to animals?
6. What did Max start telling everyone about animals?
7. What did Max show the people in his village about the relationship between people and animals?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once there was a boy named Max who lived in a village next to a big (1)______ forest. Max was no ordinary boy; he could talk to (2)______! Since he was little, he could understand what (3)______, pigs, and even bugs were saying. People in the village thought this was really cool, so they often asked for Max’s help with their pets or to find animals that were lost. Max was happy to help and would always smile when chatting with the animals.

One day, Max was (4)______ in the forest and (5)______ an animal yelling for help. He ran over and saw a group of animals around a big, angry bear that was trapped. The bear was caught by a hunter and Max knew he had to save it fast. He walked up to the bear and said in a calm (6)______, “Hey, Mr. Bear, you’re stuck but together we can get you free!” The bear stopped being mad and looked at Max, who seemed (7)______. With the help of (8)______ animals, Max managed to set the bear free.

Max’s ability made for some funny stories as well. There was this time a (9)______ cheekily asked Max to point him to some tasty trash. Max did it, but then his neighbor got really upset about the mess. Another time, Max’s dog Buster (10)______ about his favorite bone in front of people, which made everyone surprised. These funny moments always made Max laugh.

Max also (11)______ a lot from being able to talk to animals. He (12)______ out that animals have feelings and need to be looked after just like (13)______ do. He started telling everyone how important it was to protect animals and to keep their (14)______ safe. Max became known for being kind to animals and (15)______ others to be kind too.

Thanks to Max, his village was filled with happiness and laughter. He helped everyone see that even though people and animals might seem different, they can still understand each other and be friends. Max (16)______ that love and care for animals was something really special.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a special ability that Max has?
2. How do you think Max felt when he heard the animal yelling for help?
3. Do you like animals? Why or why not?
4. How would you feel if you could talk to animals like Max?
5. What do you think Max learned from being able to talk to animals?
6. Why do you think Max started telling everyone about the importance of protecting animals?
7. Do you think it’s important to be kind to animals? Why or why not?
8. How do you think Max’s village felt after he helped them see that people and animals can be friends?
9. Have you ever had a funny moment with an animal? Can you share your story?
10. What can we learn from Max’s story about love and care for animals?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. village
2. ordinary
3. communicate
4. trapped
5. assistance
6. managed
7. cheekily
8. upset
9. raccoon
10. protect
11. laughter
12. happiness
13. kindness
14. understand
15. special

Meanings:
(A) To exchange information or express oneself in a way that others can understand
(B) The state of being joyful or content
(C) A small community or group of houses in a rural area, smaller than a town
(D) Being nice and caring towards others
(E) Feeling angry or disappointed about something
(F) A North American animal with a mask-like stripe across its eyes
(G) To keep someone or something safe from harm or danger
(H) In a playful or slightly naughty way
(I) Not different or unique; normal
(J) Succeeded in doing something, especially something difficult
(K) The sound of people chuckling or giggling
(L) Caught and unable to escape
(M) Help or support
(N) To grasp the meaning or comprehend
(O) Unique and worthy of admiration
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What special ability does Max have?
(a) He can fly
(b) He can read minds
(c) He can see the future
(d) He can talk to animals

2. What did the people in the village often ask Max for help with?
(a) Their homework
(b) Their pets
(c) Their cooking
(d) Their gardening

3. Where did Max hear an animal yelling for help?
(a) In the village
(b) In the forest
(c) At the beach
(d) In the mountains

4. How did Max save the trapped bear?
(a) By using a magic spell
(b) By calling the police
(c) By running away
(d) With the help of other animals

5. What did Max’s neighbor get upset about?
(a) Max talking to animals
(b) Max’s dog Buster barking too loudly
(c) The raccoon making a mess
(d) Max not helping with chores

6. What did Max learn from being able to talk to animals?
(a) Animals have feelings and need to be looked after
(b) Animals can do magic tricks
(c) Animals are smarter than humans
(d) Animals don’t need food or water

7. What did Max teach others to do?
(a) Be afraid of animals
(b) Ignore animals
(c) Be kind to animals
(d) Hunt animals

8. What did Max show the people in his village?
(a) People and animals can understand each other and be friends
(b) People and animals should stay away from each other
(c) People and animals should never interact
(d) People and animals are enemies

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Max learned the importance of protecting animals and their habitats.
2. Max was running in the forest when he heard an animal calling for help.
3. Max’s cat Buster surprised no one by talking about his favorite bone in front of people.
4. Max has the unique ability to talk to animals.
5. Max’s ability to talk to animals led to some funny and amusing situations.
6. Max failed to free a trapped bear with the help of other animals.
7. People in the village rarely sought Max’s help with their pets or finding lost animals.
8. Max’s kindness and love for animals brought happiness and laughter to his village.
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 is the main character of the story and what makes him special?
The main character of the story is Max. He is special because he can talk to animals.

2. Why did the people in the village ask for Max’s help?
The people in the village asked for Max’s help because he could understand animals and help with their pets or find lost animals.

3. How did Max save the trapped bear?
Max saved the trapped bear by talking to it in a calm voice and getting help from other animals to set it free.

4. Can you give an example of a funny moment that happened because of Max’s ability to talk to animals?
One funny moment was when a raccoon asked Max where to find tasty trash, and Max pointed him in the right direction. But then his neighbor got upset about the mess.

5. What did Max learn from being able to talk to animals?
Max learned that animals have feelings and need to be looked after, just like people do.

6. What did Max start telling everyone about animals?
Max started telling everyone how important it was to protect animals and keep their homes safe.

7. What did Max show the people in his village about the relationship between people and animals?
Max showed the people in his village that even though people and animals may seem different, they can still understand each other and be friends. He showed that love and care for animals is something really special.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) green
(2) animals
(3) birds
(4) walking
(5) heard
(6) voice
(7) friendly
(8) other
(9) raccoon
(10) talked
(11) learned
(12) found
(13) people
(14) homes
(15) taught
(16) showed
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. village
Answer: (C) A small community or group of houses in a rural area, smaller than a town

2. ordinary
Answer: (I) Not different or unique; normal

3. communicate
Answer: (A) To exchange information or express oneself in a way that others can understand

4. trapped
Answer: (L) Caught and unable to escape

5. assistance
Answer: (M) Help or support

6. managed
Answer: (J) Succeeded in doing something, especially something difficult

7. cheekily
Answer: (H) In a playful or slightly naughty way

8. upset
Answer: (E) Feeling angry or disappointed about something

9. raccoon
Answer: (F) A North American animal with a mask-like stripe across its eyes

10. protect
Answer: (G) To keep someone or something safe from harm or danger

11. laughter
Answer: (K) The sound of people chuckling or giggling

12. happiness
Answer: (B) The state of being joyful or content

13. kindness
Answer: (D) Being nice and caring towards others

14. understand
Answer: (N) To grasp the meaning or comprehend

15. special
Answer: (O) Unique and worthy of admiration
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What special ability does Max have?
Answer: (d) He can talk to animals

2. What did the people in the village often ask Max for help with?
Answer: (b) Their pets

3. Where did Max hear an animal yelling for help?
Answer: (b) In the forest

4. How did Max save the trapped bear?
Answer: (d) With the help of other animals

5. What did Max’s neighbor get upset about?
Answer: (c) The raccoon making a mess

6. What did Max learn from being able to talk to animals?
Answer: (a) Animals have feelings and need to be looked after

7. What did Max teach others to do?
Answer: (c) Be kind to animals

8. What did Max show the people in his village?
Answer: (a) People and animals can understand each other and be friends
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Max learned the importance of protecting animals and their habitats. (Answer: True)
2. Max was running in the forest when he heard an animal calling for help. (Answer: False)
3. Max’s cat Buster surprised no one by talking about his favorite bone in front of people. (Answer: False)
4. Max has the unique ability to talk to animals. (Answer: True)
5. Max’s ability to talk to animals led to some funny and amusing situations. (Answer: True)
6. Max failed to free a trapped bear with the help of other animals. (Answer: False)
7. People in the village rarely sought Max’s help with their pets or finding lost animals. (Answer: False)
8. Max’s kindness and love for animals brought happiness and laughter to his village. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧