Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

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Short Stories for Kids

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The Journey to the Jade Jungle

Bobo the mischievous monkey and Toots the colorful toucan befriend a group of squirrels and discover a magical singing waterfall in the Jade Jungle, ultimately learning the power of friendship and laughter.

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In a small village, there lived a young monkey named Bobo. He was known for getting into trouble but was adventurous at heart. He always wanted to explore the nearby Jade Jungle, a place rumored to be full of magic and mysterious animals. One sunny day, he couldn’t resist any longer. He made himself a banana sandwich and set off into the jungle, aiming to discover its secrets.

Bobo was jumping from tree to tree when he met Toots, a colorful toucan. Toots wanted to see more of the jungle, especially to find the hard-to-spot Rainbow Raccoon. So she decided to join Bobo on his adventure. The two of them made a great team as they moved deeper into the jungle, excited about what they might find.

Their journey took an interesting turn when they ran into Sammy the Squirrel King and his bunch of squirrels. Sammy dared Bobo and Toots to a game where they had to throw acorns. Even though Bobo and Toots were good at throwing, the squirrels were faster. Everyone ended up having a great time, and Bobo and Toots made some new friends.

Later on, they discovered a waterfall that sang. It was guarded by Terry, a cranky old turtle. The waterfall could make wishes come true. Terry was fed up with silly wishes, but Bobo convinced him that they just wanted to make the world a happier place. Terry was moved by their wish and made it come true. The waterfall sang a beautiful song in return, thanking them.

Their biggest moment came when they finally met the Rainbow Raccoon. She loved riddles and made Bobo and Toots answer some tricky ones. They managed to impress her with their smart and funny answers. The Rainbow Raccoon shared the jungle’s biggest secret with them: the true magic was the friendship and laughter they shared. Bobo and Toots went back home, telling everyone about their adventure and how important it is to be kind and have fun. They knew they would always go back to the Jade Jungle for more adventures, keeping the magic of the place alive.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

1adventurousWilling to take risks or try out new, exciting things
2mysteriousSomething that is not fully understood or that arouses curiosity
3rumoredTalked about or told by people, but not confirmed
4secretsInformation that is kept hidden from others
5colorfulHaving bright and varied colors
6journeyA trip from one place to another
7interestingSomething that catches your attention because it’s not what you expect
8daredChallenged someone to do something that requires courage
9acornsThe seeds of an oak tree, often used in games or as food for animals
10waterfallA stream of water that falls from a high place, often seen as beautiful or romantic
11crankyEasily annoyed or irritated
12wishesDesires or hopes that one wants to come true
13riddlesPuzzles or questions that are hard to understand and require clever or imaginative answers
14laughterThe sound of people chuckling or giggling
15magicThe power to make things happen in a way that seems impossible or supernatural

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Who was Bobo and what was he known for?
2. What was the Jade Jungle rumored to be full of?
3. Who did Bobo meet when he was jumping from tree to tree?
4. What game did Sammy the Squirrel King dare Bobo and Toots to play?
5. What did Terry the turtle guard?
6. What did Bobo and Toots convince Terry to do?
7. What did the Rainbow Raccoon reveal to Bobo and Toots about the jungle’s true magic?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In a small village, there lived a (1)______ monkey named Bobo. He was known for getting into trouble but was (2)______ at heart. He always wanted to (3)______ the nearby Jade Jungle, a place rumored to be full of magic and mysterious animals. One sunny day, he couldn’t resist any longer. He made himself a banana sandwich and set off into the jungle, (4)______ to discover its secrets.

Bobo was jumping from tree to tree when he met Toots, a colorful toucan. Toots wanted to see more of the jungle, especially to find the hard-to-spot Rainbow Raccoon. So she decided to join Bobo on his adventure. The two of them made a great team as they moved deeper into the jungle, excited about what they might find.

Their journey took an interesting turn when they ran into Sammy the Squirrel King and his bunch of squirrels. Sammy (5)______ Bobo and Toots to a game where they had to throw (6)______. Even though Bobo and Toots were good at (7)______, the squirrels were faster. Everyone (8)______ up having a great time, and Bobo and Toots made some new friends.

Later on, they discovered a waterfall that sang. It was (9)______ by Terry, a cranky old turtle. The waterfall could make wishes come true. Terry was fed up with (10)______ wishes, but Bobo convinced him that they just (11)______ to make the (12)______ a happier place. Terry was moved by their wish and made it come true. The waterfall sang a beautiful song in return, thanking them.

Their biggest moment came when they finally met the Rainbow Raccoon. She loved riddles and made Bobo and Toots answer some tricky ones. They managed to impress her with their smart and funny answers. The Rainbow Raccoon shared the jungle’s biggest (13)______ with them: the true magic was the friendship and laughter they shared. Bobo and Toots went back home, telling everyone about their adventure and how important it is to be kind and have fun. They knew they would always go back to the Jade Jungle for more (14)______, (15)______ the magic of the place (16)______.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is an adventure? Have you ever had an adventure?
2. How would you feel if you could make a wish that could come true? What would you wish for?
3. Do you like making new friends? Why or why not?
4. What do you think is the secret to true magic? Why?
5. How would you feel if you met a talking waterfall? What would you say to it?
6. Do you think it’s important to be kind to others? Why or why not?
7. What is your favorite jungle animal? Why do you like it?
8. How would you feel if you had to answer riddles to meet a special animal? Can you think of a riddle to ask?
9. What do you think is the most important lesson Bobo and Toots learned from their adventure? Why?
10. If you could go on an adventure to a magical place, where would you go and why?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. adventurous
2. mysterious
3. rumored
4. secrets
5. colorful
6. journey
7. interesting
8. dared
9. acorns
10. waterfall
11. cranky
12. wishes
13. riddles
14. laughter
15. magic

Meanings:
(A) Talked about or told by people, but not confirmed
(B) A trip from one place to another
(C) The sound of people chuckling or giggling
(D) Easily annoyed or irritated
(E) Something that catches your attention because it’s not what you expect
(F) Willing to take risks or try out new, exciting things
(G) Puzzles or questions that are hard to understand and require clever or imaginative answers
(H) Something that is not fully understood or that arouses curiosity
(I) A stream of water that falls from a high place, often seen as beautiful or romantic
(J) The power to make things happen in a way that seems impossible or supernatural
(K) Having bright and varied colors
(L) Desires or hopes that one wants to come true
(M) Information that is kept hidden from others
(N) The seeds of an oak tree, often used in games or as food for animals
(O) Challenged someone to do something that requires courage
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the young monkey in the story?
(a) Toots
(b) Sammy
(c) Bobo
(d) Terry

2. What was the name of the colorful toucan?
(a) Bobo
(b) Sammy
(c) Toots
(d) Terry

3. What did Bobo and Toots want to find in the Jade Jungle?
(a) The singing waterfall
(b) The Rainbow Raccoon
(c) Terry the turtle
(d) The squirrel king

4. What game did Bobo and Toots play with Sammy and his squirrels?
(a) Climbing trees
(b) Racing through the jungle
(c) Singing songs
(d) Throwing acorns

5. Who guarded the singing waterfall?
(a) The Rainbow Raccoon
(b) Terry the turtle
(c) Sammy the squirrel king
(d) Toots the toucan

6. What did Terry the turtle do when Bobo and Toots made their wish?
(a) Ignored them
(b) Laughed at them
(c) Scolded them
(d) Made their wish come true

7. What did Bobo and Toots impress the Rainbow Raccoon with?
(a) Their smart and funny answers
(b) Their singing skills
(c) Their acorn throwing abilities
(d) Their climbing skills

8. What did Bobo and Toots learn was the true magic of the Jade Jungle?
(a) Friendship and laughter
(b) The singing waterfall
(c) The Rainbow Raccoon
(d) Terry the turtle

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The Jade Jungle was a fabled place rumored to be filled with magic and strange creatures.
2. Toots, a colorful toucan, joined Bobo on his adventure to see more of the jungle and find the elusive Rainbow Raccoon.
3. Bobo couldn’t resist the temptation any longer and decided to explore the Jade Jungle.
4. Bobo and Toots stumbled upon a singing waterfall guarded by a grumpy turtle named Terry, who granted their wish to make the world a happier place.
5. Bobo and Toots encountered Sammy the Squirrel King and his group of squirrels, who challenged them to a game of acorn throwing.
6. The Rainbow Raccoon, after challenging Bobo and Toots with riddles, revealed that the real magic of the Jade Jungle was the friendship and laughter they shared.
7. Bobo, the young monkey, was famed for his mischievous nature and love for adventure.
8. Despite their best efforts, Bobo and Toots were outclassed by the speedy squirrels, but they all had a fantastic time together.
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 Bobo and what was he known for?
Bobo was a young monkey known for getting into trouble but being adventurous at heart.

2. What was the Jade Jungle rumored to be full of?
The Jade Jungle was rumored to be full of magic and mysterious animals.

3. Who did Bobo meet when he was jumping from tree to tree?
Bobo met Toots, a colorful toucan, when he was jumping from tree to tree.

4. What game did Sammy the Squirrel King dare Bobo and Toots to play?
Sammy the Squirrel King dared Bobo and Toots to play a game where they had to throw acorns.

5. What did Terry the turtle guard?
Terry the turtle guarded a waterfall that could make wishes come true.

6. What did Bobo and Toots convince Terry to do?
Bobo and Toots convinced Terry to let them make a wish at the waterfall to make the world a happier place.

7. What did the Rainbow Raccoon reveal to Bobo and Toots about the jungle’s true magic?
The Rainbow Raccoon revealed to Bobo and Toots that the true magic of the jungle was the friendship and laughter they shared.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) young
(2) adventurous
(3) explore
(4) aiming
(5) dared
(6) acorns
(7) throwing
(8) ended
(9) guarded
(10) silly
(11) wanted
(12) world
(13) secret
(14) adventures
(15) keeping
(16) alive
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. adventurous
Answer: (F) Willing to take risks or try out new, exciting things

2. mysterious
Answer: (H) Something that is not fully understood or that arouses curiosity

3. rumored
Answer: (A) Talked about or told by people, but not confirmed

4. secrets
Answer: (M) Information that is kept hidden from others

5. colorful
Answer: (K) Having bright and varied colors

6. journey
Answer: (B) A trip from one place to another

7. interesting
Answer: (E) Something that catches your attention because it’s not what you expect

8. dared
Answer: (O) Challenged someone to do something that requires courage

9. acorns
Answer: (N) The seeds of an oak tree, often used in games or as food for animals

10. waterfall
Answer: (I) A stream of water that falls from a high place, often seen as beautiful or romantic

11. cranky
Answer: (D) Easily annoyed or irritated

12. wishes
Answer: (L) Desires or hopes that one wants to come true

13. riddles
Answer: (G) Puzzles or questions that are hard to understand and require clever or imaginative answers

14. laughter
Answer: (C) The sound of people chuckling or giggling

15. magic
Answer: (J) The power to make things happen in a way that seems impossible or supernatural
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the young monkey in the story?
Answer: (c) Bobo

2. What was the name of the colorful toucan?
Answer: (c) Toots

3. What did Bobo and Toots want to find in the Jade Jungle?
Answer: (b) The Rainbow Raccoon

4. What game did Bobo and Toots play with Sammy and his squirrels?
Answer: (d) Throwing acorns

5. Who guarded the singing waterfall?
Answer: (b) Terry the turtle

6. What did Terry the turtle do when Bobo and Toots made their wish?
Answer: (d) Made their wish come true

7. What did Bobo and Toots impress the Rainbow Raccoon with?
Answer: (a) Their smart and funny answers

8. What did Bobo and Toots learn was the true magic of the Jade Jungle?
Answer: (a) Friendship and laughter
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The Jade Jungle was a fabled place rumored to be filled with magic and strange creatures. (Answer: False)
2. Toots, a colorful toucan, joined Bobo on his adventure to see more of the jungle and find the elusive Rainbow Raccoon. (Answer: True)
3. Bobo couldn’t resist the temptation any longer and decided to explore the Jade Jungle. (Answer: True)
4. Bobo and Toots stumbled upon a singing waterfall guarded by a grumpy turtle named Terry, who granted their wish to make the world a happier place. (Answer: True)
5. Bobo and Toots encountered Sammy the Squirrel King and his group of squirrels, who challenged them to a game of acorn throwing. (Answer: True)
6. The Rainbow Raccoon, after challenging Bobo and Toots with riddles, revealed that the real magic of the Jade Jungle was the friendship and laughter they shared. (Answer: False)
7. Bobo, the young monkey, was famed for his mischievous nature and love for adventure. (Answer: False)
8. Despite their best efforts, Bobo and Toots were outclassed by the speedy squirrels, but they all had a fantastic time together. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 3 stories?

Emma, Jack, and Lily, the village's best detectives, discover a mysterious map leading to buried treasure.

The Secret of the Sunken Ship

Emma, Jack, and Lily find a treasure map and go on an exciting adventure to find it, facing storms, bats, and a volcano along the way.

Oliver, the tiniest elf, surprises everyone with his clever strategies and magical find at the Great Elf Games.

The Littlest Elf

Oliver, the littlest elf, proves that size doesn’t matter by winning the Great Elf Games.

A sleepy snowman named Frosty embarks on a quest to find his missing carrot nose.

The Sleepy Snowman

Frosty, the sleepy snowman, embarks on an adventure to find his lost carrot nose and discovers the importance of friendship and staying positive.

Milo the mischievous monkey and Polly the Parrot become best friends, spreading laughter and joy throughout the jungle.

The Mischievous Monkey

Milo the monkey became the funny guy of the jungle, spreading laughter and happiness to all the animals, even the smart ones.

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