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 Carnival of Colors

disaster into a triumph, creating a beautiful and unforgettable moment for everyone involved.

Try this story at a different level?

 

In a place called Rainbowland, everyone was excited for the Carnival of Colors. It was the best day of the year when folks from everywhere would join to party and admire colors. At the carnival, there were pretty decorations and tasty snacks for all.

The morning of the carnival, people were super happy. They believed that the carnival would make the whole year lucky and happy, so they wore their most colorful clothes. The best part of the carnival was the Great Color Parade, where people dressed up in fancy and creative outfits. The best costume would win a special prize this year.

A boy named Timmy, who loved art a lot, was very excited to be in the parade. He worked hard on his costume, making it look like a beautiful, colorful bird with big feathers. But when he was walking to the carnival, the wind blew his costume away. Timmy felt very sad because he couldn’t be in the parade without it. Then, Polly, a playful parrot, grabbed Timmy’s costume and flew away.

Polly thought it would be funny to hide Timmy’s costume and see him upset. But as Polly flew, the costume’s feathers were so bright and pretty that people noticed and followed her. Polly felt bad when she saw how many people were following her. She decided to show them where she hid the feathers.

The people from the village were so impressed with Timmy’s costume that they helped him put it back together. And when they were done, it was even more amazing than before. The judges at the parade thought it was the best costume and gave Timmy the prize. Timmy learned that when things don’t go as planned, sometimes good surprises can happen, especially when people help each other out.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

1CarnivalA big public party with music, dancing, and often a march of people in special clothing
2admireTo look at something with pleasure and think it is very beautiful or impressive
3decorationsItems used to make a place look more attractive for a celebration
4costumeSpecial clothing worn to look different or to entertain others, especially during a party or holiday
5paradeA public procession, often with people in costumes and bands, celebrating a special day or event
6feathersThe soft, light covering that grows on birds
7creativeHaving the ability to think of new and interesting ideas
8grabbedTook hold of something quickly and firmly
9playfulFull of fun and good spirits; liking to play and have fun
10upsetFeeling unhappy because something is not the way you want it to be
11noticedTo become aware of something or someone by seeing
12impressedFeeling very pleased about something or someone, or something someone has done
13amazingSo good or beautiful that it causes people to feel great admiration
14judgesPeople who decide the winner in a contest or competition
15surprisesUnexpected events that can be either good or bad

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What was the Carnival of Colors in Rainbowland?
2. Why were people in Rainbowland wearing their most colorful clothes on the morning of the carnival?
3. Who is Timmy and why was he sad at the carnival?
4. What did Polly, the playful parrot, do with Timmy’s costume?
5. Why did Polly feel bad when she saw how many people were following her?
6. How did the people from the village help Timmy with his costume?
7. What did Timmy learn from his experience at the carnival?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In a (1)______ called Rainbowland, everyone was excited for the Carnival of Colors. It was the best day of the year when folks from everywhere would join to party and (2)______ colors. At the carnival, there were pretty decorations and tasty snacks for all.

The morning of the carnival, (3)______ were super happy. They (4)______ that the carnival would make the whole year lucky and happy, so they wore their most colorful clothes. The best part of the carnival was the (5)______ Color Parade, where people (6)______ up in fancy and creative (7)______. The best (8)______ would win a special prize this year.

A boy named Timmy, who loved art a lot, was very excited to be in the parade. He worked hard on his costume, making it look like a beautiful, colorful bird with big feathers. But when he was walking to the carnival, the wind blew his costume away. Timmy felt very sad because he couldn’t be in the (9)______ without it. Then, (10)______, a playful parrot, (11)______ Timmy’s costume and flew away.

Polly thought it would be funny to hide Timmy’s costume and see him upset. But as Polly flew, the costume’s feathers were so (12)______ and pretty that people noticed and followed her. Polly felt bad when she saw how many people were following her. She decided to show them where she hid the feathers.

The people from the village were so impressed with Timmy’s costume that they (13)______ him put it back together. And when they were done, it was even more amazing than before. The (14)______ at the parade thought it was the best costume and gave Timmy the (15)______. Timmy learned that when things don’t go as planned, sometimes good surprises can happen, especially when people help each (16)______ out.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your favorite festival or celebration in your country? Why?
2. How would you feel if you worked really hard on something and then it got ruined? Why?
3. Do you like dressing up in costumes? Why or why not?
4. What is something unexpected that has happened to you? How did you feel about it?
5. Have you ever helped someone with a problem? How did it make you feel?
6. Do you think it’s important to have a positive attitude when things don’t go as planned? Why or why not?
7. How do you think Timmy felt when his costume blew away? Why?
8. What do you think the prize was for the best costume in the Great Color Parade? Why?
9. How would you have reacted if you were one of the people following Polly? Why?
10. Why do you think it’s important for people to help each other out, especially when things don’t go as planned?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. Carnival
2. admire
3. decorations
4. costume
5. parade
6. feathers
7. creative
8. grabbed
9. playful
10. upset
11. noticed
12. impressed
13. amazing
14. judges
15. surprises

Meanings:
(A) The soft, light covering that grows on birds
(B) Unexpected events that can be either good or bad
(C) People who decide the winner in a contest or competition
(D) A public procession, often with people in costumes and bands, celebrating a special day or event
(E) So good or beautiful that it causes people to feel great admiration
(F) Full of fun and good spirits; liking to play and have fun
(G) Feeling unhappy because something is not the way you want it to be
(H) A big public party with music, dancing, and often a march of people in special clothing
(I) Special clothing worn to look different or to entertain others, especially during a party or holiday
(J) Feeling very pleased about something or someone, or something someone has done
(K) Items used to make a place look more attractive for a celebration
(L) Took hold of something quickly and firmly
(M) To look at something with pleasure and think it is very beautiful or impressive
(N) Having the ability to think of new and interesting ideas
(O) To become aware of something or someone by seeing
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the special event that everyone in Rainbowland is excited for?
(a) Festival of Lights
(b) Parade of Music
(c) Celebration of Food
(d) Carnival of Colors

2. What did people wear to the carnival?
(a) Their most colorful clothes
(b) Their fanciest clothes
(c) Their comfiest clothes
(d) Their oldest clothes

3. What was the best part of the carnival?
(a) The Delicious Snacks
(b) The Beautiful Decorations
(c) The Great Color Parade
(d) The Fun Games

4. What happened to Timmy’s costume on his way to the carnival?
(a) It got dirty
(b) He lost it
(c) It got torn
(d) The wind blew it away

5. What did Polly, the parrot, do with Timmy’s costume?
(a) Wore it herself
(b) Hid it and flew away
(c) Gave it to Timmy
(d) Traded it for a snack

6. Why did Polly feel bad when people started following her?
(a) She realized it wasn’t funny anymore
(b) She was tired of flying
(c) She was scared of the people
(d) She wanted to keep the costume for herself

7. What did the people from the village do when they saw Timmy’s costume?
(a) Ignored it and walked away
(b) Laughed at him
(c) Helped him put it back together
(d) Took pictures of it

8. What did Timmy learn from the experience?
(a) The carnival is not as fun as it seems
(b) Sometimes good surprises can happen when people help each other out
(c) Art is not important
(d) Feathers are not colorful

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Unfortunately, Timmy’s costume got blown away by the wind on his way to the carnival.
2. The Carnival of Colors is a highly disregarded event in Rainbowland.
3. Timmy, a boy who loves art, was excited to participate in the parade with his colorful bird costume.
4. Polly felt proud when she saw how many people were following her and decided to conceal where she hid the feathers.
5. Polly, a mischievous parrot, took Timmy’s costume and flew away, thinking it would be funny.
6. With the help of the villagers, Timmy’s costume was repaired and became even more amazing, winning him the prize at the parade.
7. People in Rainbowland believe that the carnival brings misfortune and sadness for the whole year.
8. The Great Color Parade is the lowlight of the carnival, where people showcase their uncreative costumes.
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 was the Carnival of Colors in Rainbowland?
The Carnival of Colors in Rainbowland was a special event where people from everywhere would come together to celebrate and admire different colors.

2. Why were people in Rainbowland wearing their most colorful clothes on the morning of the carnival?
People in Rainbowland wore their most colorful clothes on the morning of the carnival because they believed that the carnival would bring luck and happiness for the entire year. They wanted to show their excitement and joy by dressing in bright and vibrant colors.

3. Who is Timmy and why was he sad at the carnival?
Timmy is a boy who loves art a lot. He was sad at the carnival because the wind blew away his costume, which he had worked hard on. Without his costume, he couldn’t participate in the Great Color Parade, and that made him feel sad.

4. What did Polly, the playful parrot, do with Timmy’s costume?
Polly, the playful parrot, grabbed Timmy’s costume and flew away with it. She thought it would be funny to hide it and see Timmy upset.

5. Why did Polly feel bad when she saw how many people were following her?
Polly felt bad when she saw how many people were following her because she realized that her actions had caused Timmy to miss out on the parade. She didn’t want to make Timmy sad and regretted her decision to hide the costume.

6. How did the people from the village help Timmy with his costume?
The people from the village were impressed with Timmy’s costume when they saw the feathers that Polly had hidden. They decided to help Timmy put his costume back together. With their assistance, they were able to make the costume even more amazing than before.

7. What did Timmy learn from his experience at the carnival?
Timmy learned that even when things don’t go as planned, good surprises can happen, especially when people help each other out. He realized that the kindness and support of others can turn a disappointing situation into something positive and memorable.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) place
(2) admire
(3) people
(4) believed
(5) Great
(6) dressed
(7) outfits
(8) costume
(9) parade
(10) Polly
(11) grabbed
(12) bright
(13) helped
(14) judges
(15) prize
(16) other
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. Carnival
Answer: (H) A big public party with music, dancing, and often a march of people in special clothing

2. admire
Answer: (M) To look at something with pleasure and think it is very beautiful or impressive

3. decorations
Answer: (K) Items used to make a place look more attractive for a celebration

4. costume
Answer: (I) Special clothing worn to look different or to entertain others, especially during a party or holiday

5. parade
Answer: (D) A public procession, often with people in costumes and bands, celebrating a special day or event

6. feathers
Answer: (A) The soft, light covering that grows on birds

7. creative
Answer: (N) Having the ability to think of new and interesting ideas

8. grabbed
Answer: (L) Took hold of something quickly and firmly

9. playful
Answer: (F) Full of fun and good spirits; liking to play and have fun

10. upset
Answer: (G) Feeling unhappy because something is not the way you want it to be

11. noticed
Answer: (O) To become aware of something or someone by seeing

12. impressed
Answer: (J) Feeling very pleased about something or someone, or something someone has done

13. amazing
Answer: (E) So good or beautiful that it causes people to feel great admiration

14. judges
Answer: (C) People who decide the winner in a contest or competition

15. surprises
Answer: (B) Unexpected events that can be either good or bad
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the special event that everyone in Rainbowland is excited for?
Answer: (d) Carnival of Colors

2. What did people wear to the carnival?
Answer: (a) Their most colorful clothes

3. What was the best part of the carnival?
Answer: (c) The Great Color Parade

4. What happened to Timmy’s costume on his way to the carnival?
Answer: (d) The wind blew it away

5. What did Polly, the parrot, do with Timmy’s costume?
Answer: (b) Hid it and flew away

6. Why did Polly feel bad when people started following her?
Answer: (a) She realized it wasn’t funny anymore

7. What did the people from the village do when they saw Timmy’s costume?
Answer: (c) Helped him put it back together

8. What did Timmy learn from the experience?
Answer: (b) Sometimes good surprises can happen when people help each other out
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Unfortunately, Timmy’s costume got blown away by the wind on his way to the carnival. (Answer: True)
2. The Carnival of Colors is a highly disregarded event in Rainbowland. (Answer: False)
3. Timmy, a boy who loves art, was excited to participate in the parade with his colorful bird costume. (Answer: True)
4. Polly felt proud when she saw how many people were following her and decided to conceal where she hid the feathers. (Answer: False)
5. Polly, a mischievous parrot, took Timmy’s costume and flew away, thinking it would be funny. (Answer: True)
6. With the help of the villagers, Timmy’s costume was repaired and became even more amazing, winning him the prize at the parade. (Answer: True)
7. People in Rainbowland believe that the carnival brings misfortune and sadness for the whole year. (Answer: False)
8. The Great Color Parade is the lowlight of the carnival, where people showcase their uncreative costumes. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 3 stories?

A dragon and a squirrel team up to find an enchanted treasure, but the squirrel has a secret plan.

The Dragon’s Dream

Dillon the dragon, with his special dreaming talent, embarks on a quest for a magical treasure with his new friend Daisy.

Amy and the Magic Book

Amy discovers a magical book that transports her to a world where animals talk and giants are friendly, but she learns that too much magic can make people forget the joy in everyday things.

A detective solves the mystery of the missing blueberry pies and brings together a bear family and the town.

The Blueberry Pie Mystery

A detective named Graspberry finds out that a family of bears has been eating all the blueberry pies from a famous bakery, but instead of getting mad, he suggests that the bears help pick blueberries for the pies in exchange for some, and everyone becomes friends.

Feedback