Paul Holmes -
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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 Little Ghost Who Was Afraid of the Dark

Casper the Fearless ghost inspires his friends to conquer their fears and embrace the darkness.

Try this story at a different level?

 

Once upon a time, under a bright moon, in a magical forest, there was a little ghost named Casper. Casper had a strange fear: he was really scared of the dark! That was a big problem because ghosts usually live in the dark. Casper would hide from the dark and stay in the light all night. His ghost friends made fun of him and called him “Casper the Cowardly Ghost.” Even when they tried to help him get over his fear, Casper still thought the dark was super scary.

One night, Casper was floating around the forest and met a glowing firefly named Sparkle. Sparkle was really happy and talked a lot about the cool things she saw in the dark. Casper was curious but still scared. He decided to be brave and join Sparkle to see the dark for himself and try to beat his fear.

Casper and Sparkle went on exciting trips together. They checked out caves, looked up at the stars, and even went deep into the forest at night. Casper saw that the dark was actually pretty and not what he thought at all. The more they went out at night, the less Casper was scared. He began to really like the dark and found it full of magic.

Casper became so brave that all the other ghosts talked about it. They couldn’t believe how much he had changed and wanted to know how he did it. Casper wanted to help them too, so he arranged a big meetup for all the ghosts. He told them his story and motivated them to face their fears. His friends were eager to be brave like Casper.

Casper’s courage inspired all the ghosts, and they decided to go on a group adventure. They faced the dark together and found out it was full of amazing things. They laughed and realized that the dark was a chance to find new things and learn about themselves.

The forest became a fun place with happy ghosts playing and singing at night. Casper’s fear helped not just him but all the ghosts. They learned that when they faced their fears together, they could do great things. From then on, Casper, who once was scared of the dark, was called Casper the Fearless. He showed that being brave can make you lose even the scariest fears.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

1magicalHaving special powers that can make impossible things happen
2fearA feeling of being scared or worried about something that might happen
3hideTo put yourself somewhere where you cannot be seen or found
4cowardlyLacking the confidence to face danger or difficulties; easily scared
5curiousWanting to know more about something or someone
6braveHaving the confidence to face danger or difficulties
7tripsJourneys or excursions, especially for pleasure
8cavesLarge natural underground spaces, often found in mountains
9motivatedEncouraged or driven to do something
10meetupA gathering or meeting of people in one place
11courageThe ability to do something that frightens one; bravery
12adventureAn exciting and risky experience or activity
13inspiredCaused someone to feel enthusiastic or moved to do something
14realizedUnderstood or became aware of something
15fearlessNot afraid at all; very bold or daring

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Who is the main character of the story?
2. What was Casper’s fear?
3. How did Casper meet Sparkle?
4. What did Casper and Sparkle do together?
5. How did Casper’s friends react when they saw how brave he had become?
6. What did Casper do to help his friends face their fears?
7. What did the ghosts learn from facing their fears together?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time, under a bright moon, in a (1)______ forest, there was a (2)______ ghost named Casper. Casper had a strange fear: he was really scared of the dark! That was a big problem because ghosts usually live in the dark. Casper would hide from the dark and stay in the light all (3)______. His ghost friends made fun of him and called him “Casper the Cowardly Ghost.” Even when they tried to help him get over his fear, Casper still thought the dark was super (4)______.

One night, Casper was floating around the forest and met a (5)______ firefly (6)______ Sparkle. Sparkle was really happy and (7)______ a lot about the cool things she saw in the dark. Casper was curious but still scared. He decided to be brave and join Sparkle to see the dark for himself and try to beat his fear.

Casper and Sparkle went on exciting (8)______ together. They checked out caves, looked up at the stars, and even went deep into the forest at night. Casper saw that the dark was actually pretty and not what he thought at all. The more they went out at night, the less Casper was scared. He began to really like the dark and (9)______ it full of magic.

Casper became so (10)______ that all the other ghosts talked about it. They couldn’t believe how much he had changed and wanted to know how he did it. Casper wanted to help them too, so he arranged a big (11)______ for all the ghosts. He told them his (12)______ and motivated them to face their fears. His friends were eager to be brave like Casper.

Casper’s courage inspired all the ghosts, and they decided to go on a group adventure. They faced the dark together and found out it was full of amazing things. They (13)______ and realized that the dark was a (14)______ to find new things and learn about themselves.

The forest became a fun place with happy ghosts playing and (15)______ at night. (16)______’s fear helped not just him but all the ghosts. They learned that when they faced their fears together, they could do great things. From then on, Casper, who once was scared of the dark, was called Casper the Fearless. He showed that being brave can make you lose even the scariest fears.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a ghost? Do you think ghosts are real? Why or why not?
2. How would you feel if your friends made fun of you for being scared of something? Have you ever been teased by your friends? How did it make you feel?
3. Do you think it’s important to face your fears? Why or why not? Can you think of a time when you faced a fear and felt proud of yourself?
4. What do you think Casper learned from his friend Sparkle? Have you ever learned something new from a friend? What was it?
5. How do you think Casper’s friends felt when they saw how brave he had become? Have you ever felt proud of a friend? Why?
6. Can you think of something that you used to be scared of but are not anymore? How did you overcome your fear?
7. Why do you think Casper wanted to help his friends face their fears? Do you think it’s important to help others? Why or why not?
8. What do you think the ghosts found in the dark that made them laugh and have fun? Have you ever had a fun adventure with your friends? What did you do?
9. Do you think facing fears together with others can make it easier? Why or why not? Have you ever faced a fear with someone else? How did it feel?
10. How do you think Casper felt when he was called “Casper the Fearless”? Have you ever been proud of yourself for overcoming a fear? How did it make you feel?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. magical
2. fear
3. hide
4. cowardly
5. curious
6. brave
7. trips
8. caves
9. motivated
10. meetup
11. courage
12. adventure
13. inspired
14. realized
15. fearless

Meanings:
(A) A gathering or meeting of people in one place
(B) Not afraid at all; very bold or daring
(C) An exciting and risky experience or activity
(D) Journeys or excursions, especially for pleasure
(E) Having special powers that can make impossible things happen
(F) The ability to do something that frightens one; bravery
(G) Having the confidence to face danger or difficulties
(H) Caused someone to feel enthusiastic or moved to do something
(I) To put yourself somewhere where you cannot be seen or found
(J) Understood or became aware of something
(K) Wanting to know more about something or someone
(L) Large natural underground spaces, often found in mountains
(M) A feeling of being scared or worried about something that might happen
(N) Lacking the confidence to face danger or difficulties; easily scared
(O) Encouraged or driven to do something
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What was Casper’s fear?
(a) The dark
(b) Heights
(c) Spiders
(d) Clowns

2. What did Casper’s ghost friends call him?
(a) Casper the Brave Ghost
(b) Casper the Funny Ghost
(c) Casper the Cowardly Ghost
(d) Casper the Friendly Ghost

3. Who did Casper meet in the forest?
(a) Whiskers the squirrel
(b) Buzzy the bee
(c) Rocky the raccoon
(d) Sparkle the firefly

4. What did Casper and Sparkle do together?
(a) Played hide and seek
(b) Went on exciting trips
(c) Had picnics
(d) Watched movies

5. What did Casper realize about the dark?
(a) It was even scarier than he thought
(b) It was boring and dull
(c) It was dangerous and full of monsters
(d) It was pretty and not scary

6. What did Casper arrange for all the ghosts?
(a) A big meetup
(b) A dance party
(c) A talent show
(d) A ghost hunting expedition

7. What did Casper’s friends think of his bravery?
(a) They thought he was still scared
(b) They couldn’t believe how much he had changed
(c) They were jealous of him
(d) They didn’t care about his bravery

8. What did the ghosts learn from facing their fears together?
(a) Fears are impossible to overcome
(b) They should stay away from the dark
(c) They could do great things
(d) They should always be scared

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Casper and Sparkle stayed indoors and avoided any form of adventure, never exploring caves or the deep forest at night.
2. Casper decided to be brave and join Sparkle to face his fear of the dark.
3. Casper met a firefly named Sparkle, who loved the dark and talked about all the cool things she saw at night.
4. Casper realized that the dark was not as scary as he thought and started to enjoy it, finding it full of magic.
5. Casper’s newfound courage intimidated his ghost friends, and they decided to avoid facing their fears.
6. The ghosts discovered that by confronting their fears together, they could not overcome them and had a terrible time in the dark forest.
7. Casper’s ghost friends admired him and praised him as “Casper the Fearless Ghost” because of his bravery.
8. Casper, the little ghost, was afraid of the dark, which was a problem since ghosts usually live in the dark.
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?
The main character of the story is Casper, the little ghost.

2. What was Casper’s fear?
Casper’s fear was the dark.

3. How did Casper meet Sparkle?
Casper met Sparkle, the glowing firefly, while floating around the forest one night.

4. What did Casper and Sparkle do together?
Casper and Sparkle went on exciting trips together. They explored caves, looked at the stars, and ventured deep into the forest at night.

5. How did Casper’s friends react when they saw how brave he had become?
Casper’s friends were amazed and couldn’t believe how much he had changed. They were impressed by his bravery.

6. What did Casper do to help his friends face their fears?
Casper arranged a big meetup for all the ghosts and shared his story with them. He motivated them to face their fears and encouraged them to be brave.

7. What did the ghosts learn from facing their fears together?
The ghosts learned that when they faced their fears together, they could do great things. They realized that the dark was not as scary as they thought and that it was a chance to find new things and learn about themselves.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) magical
(2) little
(3) night
(4) scary
(5) glowing
(6) named
(7) talked
(8) trips
(9) found
(10) brave
(11) meetup
(12) story
(13) laughed
(14) chance
(15) singing
(16) Casper
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. magical
Answer: (E) Having special powers that can make impossible things happen

2. fear
Answer: (M) A feeling of being scared or worried about something that might happen

3. hide
Answer: (I) To put yourself somewhere where you cannot be seen or found

4. cowardly
Answer: (N) Lacking the confidence to face danger or difficulties; easily scared

5. curious
Answer: (K) Wanting to know more about something or someone

6. brave
Answer: (G) Having the confidence to face danger or difficulties

7. trips
Answer: (D) Journeys or excursions, especially for pleasure

8. caves
Answer: (L) Large natural underground spaces, often found in mountains

9. motivated
Answer: (O) Encouraged or driven to do something

10. meetup
Answer: (A) A gathering or meeting of people in one place

11. courage
Answer: (F) The ability to do something that frightens one; bravery

12. adventure
Answer: (C) An exciting and risky experience or activity

13. inspired
Answer: (H) Caused someone to feel enthusiastic or moved to do something

14. realized
Answer: (J) Understood or became aware of something

15. fearless
Answer: (B) Not afraid at all; very bold or daring
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What was Casper’s fear?
Answer: (a) The dark

2. What did Casper’s ghost friends call him?
Answer: (c) Casper the Cowardly Ghost

3. Who did Casper meet in the forest?
Answer: (d) Sparkle the firefly

4. What did Casper and Sparkle do together?
Answer: (b) Went on exciting trips

5. What did Casper realize about the dark?
Answer: (d) It was pretty and not scary

6. What did Casper arrange for all the ghosts?
Answer: (a) A big meetup

7. What did Casper’s friends think of his bravery?
Answer: (b) They couldn’t believe how much he had changed

8. What did the ghosts learn from facing their fears together?
Answer: (c) They could do great things
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Casper and Sparkle stayed indoors and avoided any form of adventure, never exploring caves or the deep forest at night. (Answer: False)
2. Casper decided to be brave and join Sparkle to face his fear of the dark. (Answer: True)
3. Casper met a firefly named Sparkle, who loved the dark and talked about all the cool things she saw at night. (Answer: True)
4. Casper realized that the dark was not as scary as he thought and started to enjoy it, finding it full of magic. (Answer: True)
5. Casper’s newfound courage intimidated his ghost friends, and they decided to avoid facing their fears. (Answer: False)
6. The ghosts discovered that by confronting their fears together, they could not overcome them and had a terrible time in the dark forest. (Answer: False)
7. Casper’s ghost friends admired him and praised him as “Casper the Fearless Ghost” because of his bravery. (Answer: False)
8. Casper, the little ghost, was afraid of the dark, which was a problem since ghosts usually live in the dark. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 3 stories?

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.

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.

A young girl named Emily discovers a tree that produces rainbow-colored raspberries, bringing joy to her village.

The Remarkable Raspberry Rain

Emily discovers a tree that rains colorful raspberries, but when they lose their color, she learns that children’s laughter can bring the magic back.

A mischievous penguin named Percy and a wise snow owl named Oliver form an unbreakable friendship on their journey to the legendary "Penguin Parade."

The Penguin Parade

Percy the penguin and Oliver the owl become best friends on an exciting adventure to the Penguin Parade.

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