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 Dinosaur Detective

Daisy the dinosaur detective and her mischievous sidekick Benny solve mysteries and teach valuable life lessons.

Try this story at a different level?

 

In a world where big dinosaurs lived, there was a small, smart one named Daisy. Daisy was like a detective; she could figure out things that puzzled other dinosaurs. One day, she got a letter from a duck who was really upset because her special eggs had disappeared. The duck thought another dinosaur had taken them.

Daisy wanted to solve this puzzle, so she went on a quest. She asked questions to the dinosaurs that lived nearby – a cranky triceratops, a playful pterodactyl, and a sneaky stegosaurus. But no one seemed to know where the eggs were. Daisy didn’t give up though, and decided to look around the big volcano.

Inside a dark cave in the volcano, Daisy found a hidden spot. She saw a young dinosaur named Benny surrounded by egg shells. Daisy understood that Benny played with the eggs because he thought they were toys. Benny was sorry for the mistake. Daisy forgave him and they cleaned up together.

After that, Daisy and Benny became best friends. Daisy taught Benny to ask before taking things, and Benny showed Daisy how great it is to have a friend. They went on lots of adventures, with Benny helping Daisy solve more mysteries. They showed everyone that working together is the best way to fix problems.

Daisy became famous for helping solve problems. Lots of dinosaurs came to her for help, and she always found a solution. She proved that even though she was small, she was super smart and never gave up. Daisy also showed everyone that it’s okay to make mistakes and that friends can be found in the most unexpected places.

Whenever you come across a puzzle, think of Daisy and Benny. Let your curiosity lead you, be nice to others, and don’t forget how important it is to forgive and make friends. Maybe you could be a great detective too, just like Daisy.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

1detectiveSomeone who solves mysteries or finds out secrets
2puzzledConfused or not able to understand something
3questA long and difficult search for something
4crankyEasily annoyed or in a bad mood
5playfulFull of fun and liking to play around
6sneakyDoing things quietly and secretly, often to trick others
7volcanoA mountain that can explode with hot liquid rock, ash, and gases
8hiddenNot easy to find or see
9mistakeSomething done wrong or incorrectly
10adventuresExciting experiences or journeys
11famousWell-known by many people
12solutionA way to fix a problem or deal with a difficult situation
13curiosityWanting to learn about things or find out about them
14forgiveTo stop being angry at someone for doing something wrong
15unexpectedNot expected or surprising

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Who was Daisy?
2. What problem did the duck have?
3. Where did Daisy go to look for the eggs?
4. Who did Daisy find in the volcano?
5. What did Benny think the eggs were?
6. What did Daisy teach Benny?
7. What did Daisy become famous for?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In a world where big dinosaurs (1)______, there was a small, smart one named (2)______. Daisy was like a detective; she could figure out things that (3)______ other dinosaurs. One day, she got a letter from a duck who was really upset because her special eggs had disappeared. The duck thought another dinosaur had taken them.

Daisy wanted to solve this puzzle, so she went on a quest. She asked questions to the dinosaurs that lived nearby – a (4)______ triceratops, a playful pterodactyl, and a (5)______ stegosaurus. But no one (6)______ to know where the eggs were. Daisy didn’t give up though, and decided to look around the big volcano.

Inside a dark cave in the volcano, Daisy (7)______ a hidden spot. She saw a young dinosaur named (8)______ surrounded by egg shells. Daisy understood that Benny played with the eggs because he thought they were toys. Benny was sorry for the mistake. Daisy forgave him and they cleaned up together.

After that, Daisy and Benny became best (9)______. Daisy taught Benny to ask before taking things, and Benny (11)______ Daisy how great it is to have a (10)______. They went on lots of adventures, with Benny (12)______ Daisy solve more mysteries. They showed everyone that working together is the best way to fix problems.

Daisy became famous for helping solve problems. Lots of dinosaurs came to her for help, and she always found a solution. She (13)______ that even though she was (14)______, she was super smart and never gave up. Daisy also showed everyone that it’s okay to make mistakes and that friends can be found in the most unexpected places.

Whenever you come across a (15)______, think of Daisy and Benny. Let your curiosity lead you, be nice to others, and don’t forget how (16)______ it is to forgive and make friends. Maybe you could be a great detective too, just like Daisy.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a detective? Have you ever seen a detective in a movie or read about one in a book?
2. How would you feel if your special belongings went missing? What would you do to find them?
3. Do you think it’s important to ask questions when you’re trying to solve a problem? Why or why not?
4. Why do you think Daisy forgave Benny even though he made a mistake?
5. Have you ever made a mistake? How did you feel and what did you do to fix it?
6. Do you think it’s important to have friends? Why or why not?
7. Have you ever had an unexpected friendship? How did it happen and what did you learn from it?
8. How do you think working together can help solve problems? Can you think of an example?
9. Do you like solving puzzles or mysteries? Why or why not?
10. How do you think Daisy became famous for helping solve problems? What qualities do you think she had that made her successful?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. detective
2. puzzled
3. quest
4. cranky
5. playful
6. sneaky
7. volcano
8. hidden
9. mistake
10. adventures
11. famous
12. solution
13. curiosity
14. forgive
15. unexpected

Meanings:
(A) Full of fun and liking to play around
(B) Something done wrong or incorrectly
(C) A way to fix a problem or deal with a difficult situation
(D) Wanting to learn about things or find out about them
(E) Confused or not able to understand something
(F) Easily annoyed or in a bad mood
(G) Doing things quietly and secretly, often to trick others
(H) Not expected or surprising
(I) A mountain that can explode with hot liquid rock, ash, and gases
(J) Someone who solves mysteries or finds out secrets
(K) Well-known by many people
(L) Exciting experiences or journeys
(M) To stop being angry at someone for doing something wrong
(N) Not easy to find or see
(O) A long and difficult search for something
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What kind of dinosaur was Daisy?
(a) Big and strong
(b) Small and smart
(c) Slow and lazy
(d) Fast and agile

2. Who sent Daisy a letter about the missing eggs?
(a) The upset duck
(b) The playful pterodactyl
(c) The cranky triceratops
(d) The sneaky stegosaurus

3. Where did Daisy find Benny surrounded by egg shells?
(a) In a sunny meadow
(b) Underneath a waterfall
(c) Inside a dark cave in the volcano
(d) On top of a mountain

4. What did Benny think the eggs were?
(a) Food
(b) Rocks
(c) Treasures
(d) Toys

5. What did Daisy and Benny do together after they found the eggs?
(a) Went on a picnic
(b) Played hide-and-seek
(c) Went for a swim
(d) Cleaned up the mess

6. What did Daisy become famous for?
(a) Playing with Benny
(b) Solving problems
(c) Exploring volcanoes
(d) Teaching dinosaurs

7. What did Daisy show everyone about making mistakes?
(a) It’s okay to make them
(b) It’s important to hide them
(c) It’s best to blame others
(d) It’s better to avoid them

8. What did Daisy and Benny teach everyone about solving problems?
(a) Giving up is the easiest option
(b) Ignoring the problem is the solution
(c) Working together is the best way
(d) Solving problems alone is more efficient

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Despite questioning several dinosaurs, Daisy is able to find leads on the whereabouts of the eggs.
2. Daisy receives a letter from a distressed duck whose eggs have gone missing.
3. Daisy decides to avoid exploring a cave inside a volcano and does not discover a young dinosaur named Benny surrounded by egg shells.
4. Daisy and Benny become best friends and go on many adventures together, with Benny helping Daisy solve more mysteries.
5. Daisy is a small dinosaur who is known for her intelligence and problem-solving skills.
6. Daisy’s reputation as a problem solver diminishes, and she teaches others the importance of holding grudges and avoiding friendship.
7. Daisy realizes that Benny had mistaken the eggs for toys and forgives him for the mistake.
8. Daisy avoids embarking on a quest to find the missing eggs and does not ask nearby dinosaurs for information.
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 Daisy?
Daisy was a small, smart dinosaur who was like a detective.

2. What problem did the duck have?
The duck’s special eggs had disappeared and she thought another dinosaur had taken them.

3. Where did Daisy go to look for the eggs?
Daisy went to the big volcano to look for the eggs.

4. Who did Daisy find in the volcano?
Daisy found a young dinosaur named Benny in the volcano.

5. What did Benny think the eggs were?
Benny thought the eggs were toys and he played with them.

6. What did Daisy teach Benny?
Daisy taught Benny to ask before taking things.

7. What did Daisy become famous for?
Daisy became famous for helping solve problems and finding solutions.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) lived
(2) Daisy
(3) puzzled
(4) cranky
(5) sneaky
(6) seemed
(7) found
(8) Benny
(9) friends
(10) friend
(11) showed
(12) helping
(13) proved
(14) small
(15) puzzle
(16) important
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. detective
Answer: (J) Someone who solves mysteries or finds out secrets

2. puzzled
Answer: (E) Confused or not able to understand something

3. quest
Answer: (O) A long and difficult search for something

4. cranky
Answer: (F) Easily annoyed or in a bad mood

5. playful
Answer: (A) Full of fun and liking to play around

6. sneaky
Answer: (G) Doing things quietly and secretly, often to trick others

7. volcano
Answer: (I) A mountain that can explode with hot liquid rock, ash, and gases

8. hidden
Answer: (N) Not easy to find or see

9. mistake
Answer: (B) Something done wrong or incorrectly

10. adventures
Answer: (L) Exciting experiences or journeys

11. famous
Answer: (K) Well-known by many people

12. solution
Answer: (C) A way to fix a problem or deal with a difficult situation

13. curiosity
Answer: (D) Wanting to learn about things or find out about them

14. forgive
Answer: (M) To stop being angry at someone for doing something wrong

15. unexpected
Answer: (H) Not expected or surprising
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What kind of dinosaur was Daisy?
Answer: (b) Small and smart

2. Who sent Daisy a letter about the missing eggs?
Answer: (a) The upset duck

3. Where did Daisy find Benny surrounded by egg shells?
Answer: (c) Inside a dark cave in the volcano

4. What did Benny think the eggs were?
Answer: (d) Toys

5. What did Daisy and Benny do together after they found the eggs?
Answer: (d) Cleaned up the mess

6. What did Daisy become famous for?
Answer: (b) Solving problems

7. What did Daisy show everyone about making mistakes?
Answer: (a) It’s okay to make them

8. What did Daisy and Benny teach everyone about solving problems?
Answer: (c) Working together is the best way
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Despite questioning several dinosaurs, Daisy is able to find leads on the whereabouts of the eggs. (Answer: False)
2. Daisy receives a letter from a distressed duck whose eggs have gone missing. (Answer: True)
3. Daisy decides to avoid exploring a cave inside a volcano and does not discover a young dinosaur named Benny surrounded by egg shells. (Answer: False)
4. Daisy and Benny become best friends and go on many adventures together, with Benny helping Daisy solve more mysteries. (Answer: True)
5. Daisy is a small dinosaur who is known for her intelligence and problem-solving skills. (Answer: True)
6. Daisy’s reputation as a problem solver diminishes, and she teaches others the importance of holding grudges and avoiding friendship. (Answer: False)
7. Daisy realizes that Benny had mistaken the eggs for toys and forgives him for the mistake. (Answer: True)
8. Daisy avoids embarking on a quest to find the missing eggs and does not ask nearby dinosaurs for information. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 3 stories?

In the end, it wasn't the blueberries that made the Bizarre Blueberry Banquet special, but the spirit of the village.

The Bizarre Blueberry Banquet

In a village called Berryville, the blueberries disappeared before the big party, but they found a secret blueberry bush and had a blast at the rain-soaked celebration.

The Chocolate Waterfall

Tommy discovers a magical chocolate waterfall, saves the village from a chocolate monster, and becomes a hero.

Feedback