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 Littlest Elf

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

Try this story at a different level?

 

In a far-off magical forest, there was a tiny elf named Oliver. He was smaller than all the other elves. Some of them made fun of him for being so little. Oliver wasn’t bothered by this because he knew that small people could still do important things.

One day, the elves in the village were super excited because the Great Elf Games were starting. Elves of all sizes would compete in different challenges to see who was the best. Oliver was excited too. He wanted to show everyone that he was good at doing things, even though he was small.

When the games began, the first thing Oliver had to do was cross a river on a skinny branch. Bigger elves didn’t have trouble walking across, but the branch shook a lot when it was Oliver’s turn. Oliver wrapped himself in leaves and rolled across like a ball. The other elves clapped for him. They saw that using your brain can be better than being strong.

Next, the elves had to run through a maze. The other elves ran left and right, but Oliver climbed a huge mushroom to see the maze from above. He then walked along the edges instead of through the maze. He got to the end before the others, who were still trying to figure out the way. Oliver showed them that thinking differently can help you win.

The last game was a treasure hunt. The elves needed to find shiny stones hidden in the forest. While searching, Oliver found some mushrooms that glowed. When he touched them with his wand, they turned into gems. He won the grand prize because of this. His cleverness showed everyone that being small could be a good thing.

After that, the other elves stopped laughing at Oliver. They called him “The Great Littlest Elf.” They saw that everyone has special things about them that should be celebrated. Oliver showed that even if you’re small, you can still have big dreams and do amazing things.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

1magicalSomething that is full of mystery and enchantment, like in fairy tales
2competeTo try to win against others in a game or contest
3challengesTasks or activities that test your skills or abilities
4skinnyVery thin or narrow
5clappedHit their hands together to show enjoyment or approval
6mazeA complex network of paths or passages that is hard to find your way through
7edgesThe outer or furthest point of something
8treasureValuable items that are often hidden and searched for in stories
9shinySparkling or gleaming, catching the light
10clevernessBeing smart and able to solve problems in new ways
11celebratedPraised or honored for an achievement
12dreamsHopes or aspirations for the future
13amazingSomething that causes wonder or astonishment
14elvesMythical creatures that are often small and have pointed ears
15grandThe most important or impressive prize or result

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Who is the main character in the story?
2. Why did some of the other elves make fun of Oliver?
3. How did Oliver cross the river during the Great Elf Games?
4. What did Oliver do differently during the maze challenge?
5. How did Oliver win the grand prize in the treasure hunt?
6. How did the other elves’ attitude towards Oliver change after the games?
7. What is the lesson that Oliver teaches the other elves in the story?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In a far-off magical (1)______, there was a tiny elf named Oliver. He was (2)______ than all the other (3)______. Some of them made fun of him for being so little. Oliver wasn’t (4)______ by this because he knew that small people could still do important things.

One day, the elves in the village were super excited because the Great Elf Games were starting. Elves of all sizes would compete in different challenges to see who was the best. Oliver was excited too. He wanted to show everyone that he was good at doing (5)______, even though he was small.

When the games began, the first thing Oliver had to do was cross a river on a skinny branch. Bigger elves didn’t have trouble (6)______ across, but the branch shook a lot when it was Oliver’s turn. Oliver wrapped himself in (7)______ and (8)______ across like a ball. The other elves clapped for him. They saw that using your brain can be better than being strong.

Next, the elves had to run through a maze. The other elves ran left and right, but (9)______ climbed a huge mushroom to see the maze from above. He then walked along the edges instead of through the maze. He got to the end before the others, who were still trying to figure out the way. Oliver showed them that (10)______ differently can help you win.

The last game was a treasure hunt. The elves needed to find shiny (11)______ hidden in the forest. While searching, Oliver (12)______ some mushrooms that glowed. When he touched them with his wand, they turned into gems. He won the (13)______ prize because of this. His cleverness showed everyone that being small could be a good thing.

After that, the (14)______ elves (15)______ laughing at Oliver. They called him “The Great (16)______ Elf.” They saw that everyone has special things about them that should be celebrated. Oliver showed that even if you’re small, you can still have big dreams and do amazing things.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a treasure hunt? Have you ever been on a treasure hunt? Why or why not?
2. How would you feel if someone made fun of you for being small? Why?
3. Do you think it’s important to be physically strong? Why or why not?
4. What is a maze? Have you ever been in a maze? How did you feel? Why?
5. How would you feel if you were called “The Great Littlest Elf”? Why?
6. Do you think it’s better to think differently or to follow what everyone else is doing? Why or why not?
7. What is something special about you that should be celebrated? Why?
8. How would you feel if you won a grand prize? Why?
9. Do you think it’s possible for someone small to do amazing things? Why or why not?
10. What is something you dream of doing? How would you feel if you accomplished that dream? Why?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. magical
2. compete
3. challenges
4. skinny
5. clapped
6. maze
7. edges
8. treasure
9. shiny
10. cleverness
11. celebrated
12. dreams
13. amazing
14. elves
15. grand

Meanings:
(A) The most important or impressive prize or result
(B) Sparkling or gleaming, catching the light
(C) The outer or furthest point of something
(D) Tasks or activities that test your skills or abilities
(E) To try to win against others in a game or contest
(F) Very thin or narrow
(G) A complex network of paths or passages that is hard to find your way through
(H) Something that causes wonder or astonishment
(I) Something that is full of mystery and enchantment, like in fairy tales
(J) Praised or honored for an achievement
(K) Valuable items that are often hidden and searched for in stories
(L) Hopes or aspirations for the future
(M) Mythical creatures that are often small and have pointed ears
(N) Being smart and able to solve problems in new ways
(O) Hit their hands together to show enjoyment or approval
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Why did some of the other elves make fun of Oliver?
(a) Because he was faster than them
(b) Because he was smaller than them
(c) Because he was stronger than them
(d) Because he was older than them

2. What were the Great Elf Games?
(a) A festival where elves celebrated their abilities
(b) A gathering where elves shared stories and songs
(c) A party where elves danced and ate
(d) A competition where elves of all sizes competed in different challenges

3. How did Oliver cross the river on a skinny branch?
(a) By jumping from one side to the other
(b) By building a bridge with sticks and leaves
(c) By wrapping himself in leaves and rolling across like a ball
(d) By swimming across the river

4. How did Oliver win the maze challenge?
(a) By running left and right through the maze
(b) By following the other elves’ footsteps
(c) By climbing a huge mushroom to see the maze from above
(d) By asking for help from the other elves

5. What did Oliver find while searching for shiny stones in the treasure hunt?
(a) Shiny stones hidden in the forest
(b) A secret map to the treasure
(c) A magical wand
(d) Mushrooms that glowed

6. How did Oliver turn the mushrooms into gems?
(a) By touching them with his wand
(b) By throwing them into the river
(c) By planting them in the ground
(d) By giving them to the other elves

7. What did the other elves call Oliver after the games?
(a) “The Great Littlest Elf”
(b) “The Strongest Elf”
(c) “The Fastest Elf”
(d) “The Oldest Elf”

8. What did Oliver show the other elves through his actions?
(a) That being small meant you couldn’t do important things
(b) That being small could be a good thing
(c) That being small made you better than the bigger elves
(d) That being small meant you couldn’t participate in the games

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. In the next challenge, a maze, Oliver takes a different approach by crawling under a mushroom and sliding along the edges, winning the race while others struggle to find the way.
2. During the first challenge, Oliver cleverly wraps himself in leaves and rolls across a shaky branch, impressing the other elves with his resourcefulness.
3. Oliver is hesitant to participate in the games and doubts his abilities to prove himself to everyone.
4. Oliver, the protagonist, is a tiny elf who lives in a magical forest.
5. Despite the praise, Oliver remains insecure and doubts that small people can achieve important things.
6. The Great Elf Games, a competition for elves of all sizes, is about to begin in the village.
7. Oliver is often praised by the other elves because of his small size.
8. Oliver’s final victory comes in the treasure hunt, where he discovers glowing mushrooms that transform into gems when touched with his wand, earning him the grand prize and the admiration of his fellow elves.
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 in the story?
Oliver is the main character in the story.

2. Why did some of the other elves make fun of Oliver?
Some of the other elves made fun of Oliver because he was smaller than them.

3. How did Oliver cross the river during the Great Elf Games?
Oliver wrapped himself in leaves and rolled across the river like a ball.

4. What did Oliver do differently during the maze challenge?
During the maze challenge, Oliver climbed a huge mushroom to see the maze from above and walked along the edges instead of going through the maze.

5. How did Oliver win the grand prize in the treasure hunt?
Oliver won the grand prize in the treasure hunt by finding mushrooms that glowed and turning them into gems with his wand.

6. How did the other elves’ attitude towards Oliver change after the games?
After the games, the other elves stopped making fun of Oliver and started calling him “The Great Littlest Elf.”

7. What is the lesson that Oliver teaches the other elves in the story?
The lesson that Oliver teaches the other elves is that even if you’re small, you can still have big dreams and do amazing things.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) forest
(2) smaller
(3) elves
(4) bothered
(5) things
(6) walking
(7) leaves
(8) rolled
(9) Oliver
(10) thinking
(11) stones
(12) found
(13) grand
(14) other
(15) stopped
(16) Littlest
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. magical
Answer: (I) Something that is full of mystery and enchantment, like in fairy tales

2. compete
Answer: (E) To try to win against others in a game or contest

3. challenges
Answer: (D) Tasks or activities that test your skills or abilities

4. skinny
Answer: (F) Very thin or narrow

5. clapped
Answer: (O) Hit their hands together to show enjoyment or approval

6. maze
Answer: (G) A complex network of paths or passages that is hard to find your way through

7. edges
Answer: (C) The outer or furthest point of something

8. treasure
Answer: (K) Valuable items that are often hidden and searched for in stories

9. shiny
Answer: (B) Sparkling or gleaming, catching the light

10. cleverness
Answer: (N) Being smart and able to solve problems in new ways

11. celebrated
Answer: (J) Praised or honored for an achievement

12. dreams
Answer: (L) Hopes or aspirations for the future

13. amazing
Answer: (H) Something that causes wonder or astonishment

14. elves
Answer: (M) Mythical creatures that are often small and have pointed ears

15. grand
Answer: (A) The most important or impressive prize or result
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Why did some of the other elves make fun of Oliver?
Answer: (b) Because he was smaller than them

2. What were the Great Elf Games?
Answer: (d) A competition where elves of all sizes competed in different challenges

3. How did Oliver cross the river on a skinny branch?
Answer: (c) By wrapping himself in leaves and rolling across like a ball

4. How did Oliver win the maze challenge?
Answer: (c) By climbing a huge mushroom to see the maze from above

5. What did Oliver find while searching for shiny stones in the treasure hunt?
Answer: (d) Mushrooms that glowed

6. How did Oliver turn the mushrooms into gems?
Answer: (a) By touching them with his wand

7. What did the other elves call Oliver after the games?
Answer: (a) “The Great Littlest Elf”

8. What did Oliver show the other elves through his actions?
Answer: (b) That being small could be a good thing
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. In the next challenge, a maze, Oliver takes a different approach by crawling under a mushroom and sliding along the edges, winning the race while others struggle to find the way. (Answer: False)
2. During the first challenge, Oliver cleverly wraps himself in leaves and rolls across a shaky branch, impressing the other elves with his resourcefulness. (Answer: True)
3. Oliver is hesitant to participate in the games and doubts his abilities to prove himself to everyone. (Answer: False)
4. Oliver, the protagonist, is a tiny elf who lives in a magical forest. (Answer: True)
5. Despite the praise, Oliver remains insecure and doubts that small people can achieve important things. (Answer: False)
6. The Great Elf Games, a competition for elves of all sizes, is about to begin in the village. (Answer: True)
7. Oliver is often praised by the other elves because of his small size. (Answer: False)
8. Oliver’s final victory comes in the treasure hunt, where he discovers glowing mushrooms that transform into gems when touched with his wand, earning him the grand prize and the admiration of his fellow elves. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 3 stories?

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.

The Journey to the Jade Jungle

Bobo the monkey and Toots the toucan go on an exciting adventure in the magical Jade Jungle, making new friends and discovering the true magic of friendship and laughter.

A mischievous squirrel named Benny embarks on an unexpected journey after stealing a tangerine.

The Tangerine Thief

Benny the squirrel’s mischievous act of stealing a tangerine led to an exciting chase and unexpected friendships.

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.

Stella the unicorn uses her magical rainbow to spread happiness and love to all creatures.

The Rainbow Bridge

Stella, a magical unicorn, wins a competition and uses her wish to spread happiness and love.

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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