Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

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Short Stories for Kids

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The Llama Farmer

A llama farmer builds an obstacle course to keep his mischievous llamas entertained and happy.

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In a small village surrounded by beautiful green hills, there was a nice farmer named Mr. Thompson. But he wasn’t just any farmer; he raised llamas. His farm was home to many llamas, big and small, and everyone in the village loved seeing them. Every morning, Mr. Thompson would get up early to take care of his llamas. He fed them tasty vegetables and made sure their fur was clean and fluffy.

One sunny morning, when Mr. Thompson was getting breakfast ready for his llamas, he noticed that Milo, his favorite llama, was gone! He looked everywhere, calling Milo’s name. Finally, he found Milo stuck in a bush, happily eating apples from a nearby tree. Mr. Thompson was so relieved to find Milo, but he knew he had to do something to prevent the llamas from wandering off again.

Then, Mr. Thompson had a great idea. He decided to build a huge obstacle course for the llamas. It had jumps, tunnels, and even a maze just for llamas. Once the course was finished, he invited everyone in the village to come and watch. People were excited to see what Mr. Thompson had created for his llamas.

The event started with Daisy, a llama, who did really well on the course, jumping over obstacles and going through tunnels. Everyone cheered for her. But when it was Milo’s turn, he was a total clown. Instead of doing the course the right way, Milo jumped over things he wasn’t supposed to and ran the maze backward, making everyone laugh. Milo’s funny behavior was the best part of the day.

After the obstacle course day, Mr. Thompson saw that the llamas didn’t try to leave anymore. The obstacle course was so fun for them that they didn’t want to go anywhere else. Mr. Thompson started doing these courses often, and his farm became famous. People from all over came to watch the llamas. This whole experience taught the village that even when things don’t go as planned, we can still find happiness and laughter. Mr. Thompson and his llamas showed everyone that it’s good to enjoy life’s surprises.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

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📖 Vocabulary:

1villageA small community or group of houses in a rural area, smaller than a town
2llamasA type of domesticated South American mammal known for its soft wool
3farmerA person who owns or manages a farm
4fluffySoft and light, like a cloud or a soft pillow
5relievedFeeling happy and calm because something bad did not happen
6obstacleSomething that blocks the way or makes it difficult to move forward
7tunnelsUnderground or enclosed passages that people or animals can go through
8mazeA complex network of paths or passages that is difficult to find the way through
9invitedAsked people to come to an event or place
10cheeredShouted with happiness or approval
11clownSomeone who acts silly or tries to make people laugh
12behaviorThe way someone acts or conducts themselves, especially towards others
13famousWell-known by many people
14experienceSomething that has been lived through, especially something interesting or exciting
15surprisesUnexpected events or moments that can be enjoyable or interesting

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Who was Mr. Thompson and what did he do for a living?
2. Why did Mr. Thompson decide to build an obstacle course for his llamas?
3. How did Milo behave during the obstacle course?
4. How did the llamas react to the obstacle course?
5. What happened to Mr. Thompson’s farm after he started doing the obstacle courses?
6. What did the village learn from Mr. Thompson and his llamas?
7. Why do you think the villagers enjoyed watching the llamas on the obstacle course?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In a small village (1)______ by beautiful green hills, there was a nice (2)______ named Mr. Thompson. But he wasn’t just any farmer; he raised (3)______. His farm was home to many llamas, big and small, and everyone in the village loved seeing them. Every (4)______, Mr. Thompson would get up early to take care of his llamas. He fed them tasty vegetables and made sure their fur was clean and fluffy.

One sunny morning, when Mr. Thompson was getting breakfast ready for his llamas, he noticed that Milo, his favorite llama, was gone! He looked everywhere, (5)______ Milo’s name. Finally, he found Milo stuck in a bush, happily (6)______ apples from a (7)______ tree. Mr. Thompson was so relieved to find Milo, but he knew he had to do something to prevent the llamas from wandering off again.

Then, Mr. Thompson had a great idea. He (8)______ to build a huge obstacle course for the llamas. It had jumps, tunnels, and even a maze just for llamas. Once the course was finished, he invited everyone in the village to come and (9)______. People were excited to see what Mr. Thompson had created for his (10)______s.

The event started with Daisy, a llama, who did really well on the course, jumping over (11)______ and going through tunnels. Everyone cheered for her. But when it was Milo’s turn, he was a total clown. Instead of doing the course the right way, Milo jumped over things he wasn’t supposed to and ran the maze backward, making everyone laugh. Milo’s funny (12)______ was the best part of the day.

After the obstacle course day, Mr. (13)______ saw that the llamas didn’t try to leave anymore. The obstacle course was so fun for them that they didn’t want to go anywhere else. Mr. Thompson started doing these (14)______ often, and his farm became famous. People from all over came to watch the llamas. This (15)______ experience taught the village that even when things don’t go as planned, we can still find happiness and laughter. Mr. Thompson and his llamas (16)______ everyone that it’s good to enjoy life’s surprises.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a llama and what do you know about them?
2. How would you feel if you had a pet llama? Why?
3. Do you like surprises? Why or why not?
4. What do you think Mr. Thompson’s favorite thing about his llamas is? Why?
5. Have you ever had a pet that went missing? How did you feel? What did you do to find them?
6. Do you think building an obstacle course for llamas is a good idea? Why or why not?
7. How do you think the llamas felt when they were doing the obstacle course? Why?
8. Have you ever laughed at someone’s funny behavior? How did it make you feel?
9. Do you think it’s important to find happiness even when things don’t go as planned? Why or why not?
10. If you could have any kind of animal on a farm, what would it be and why?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. village
2. llamas
3. farmer
4. fluffy
5. relieved
6. obstacle
7. tunnels
8. maze
9. invited
10. cheered
11. clown
12. behavior
13. famous
14. experience
15. surprises

Meanings:
(A) Unexpected events or moments that can be enjoyable or interesting
(B) Underground or enclosed passages that people or animals can go through
(C) Something that blocks the way or makes it difficult to move forward
(D) Well-known by many people
(E) A complex network of paths or passages that is difficult to find the way through
(F) Asked people to come to an event or place
(G) A person who owns or manages a farm
(H) Feeling happy and calm because something bad did not happen
(I) Soft and light, like a cloud or a soft pillow
(J) Something that has been lived through, especially something interesting or exciting
(K) The way someone acts or conducts themselves, especially towards others
(L) A type of domesticated South American mammal known for its soft wool
(M) A small community or group of houses in a rural area, smaller than a town
(N) Someone who acts silly or tries to make people laugh
(O) Shouted with happiness or approval
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What kind of animals did Mr. Thompson raise on his farm?
(a) Horses
(b) Cows
(c) Llamas
(d) Pigs

2. Where did Mr. Thompson find Milo?
(a) Eating apples from a tree
(b) Stuck in a bush
(c) Running through the maze
(d) Jumping over obstacles

3. Why did Mr. Thompson decide to build an obstacle course?
(a) To prevent the llamas from wandering off
(b) To entertain the people in the village
(c) To train the llamas to do tricks
(d) To make the llamas exercise more

4. How did Daisy perform on the obstacle course?
(a) She got stuck in a tunnel
(b) She refused to jump over obstacles
(c) She ran the maze backward
(d) She did really well

5. What was Milo’s behavior like on the obstacle course?
(a) He followed the course perfectly
(b) He was a total clown
(c) He refused to participate
(d) He got scared and ran away

6. Why did the llamas not try to leave after the obstacle course day?
(a) They were too tired to move
(b) Mr. Thompson locked them in their pens
(c) The obstacle course was fun for them
(d) They were scared of getting lost

7. What did Mr. Thompson’s farm become known for?
(a) The obstacle courses for llamas
(b) The tasty vegetables he fed the llamas
(c) The beautiful green hills surrounding it
(d) The fluffy fur of the llamas

8. What did Mr. Thompson and his llamas teach the village?
(a) To always stick to the plan
(b) To never try new things
(c) To avoid surprises in life
(d) To find happiness and laughter in unexpected situations

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. To prevent the llamas from wandering off again, Mr. Thompson decides to build a small obstacle course for them.
2. One morning, Mr. Thompson’s favorite llama, Milo, goes missing, but he eventually finds him happily eating apples.
3. Every evening, Mr. Thompson takes care of his llamas by feeding them and grooming their fur.
4. The village is invited to watch the llamas navigate the obstacle course, and they are excited to see what Mr. Thompson has created.
5. The llamas dislike the obstacle course so much that they continue to try to leave the farm, and Mr. Thompson’s farm becomes infamous for its llama obstacle courses.
6. Daisy, one of the llamas, performs well on the course, while Milo becomes the clown of the day, making everyone laugh with his funny antics.
7. The obstacle course includes jumps, tunnels, and a maze specifically designed for llamas.
8. Mr. Thompson is a rancher who raises llamas on his farm in a big city.
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 Mr. Thompson and what did he do for a living?
– Mr. Thompson was a farmer who raised llamas.

2. Why did Mr. Thompson decide to build an obstacle course for his llamas?
– Mr. Thompson wanted to prevent his llamas from wandering off, so he built the obstacle course to keep them entertained and busy.

3. How did Milo behave during the obstacle course?
– Milo was a total clown and didn’t follow the course properly. He jumped over things he wasn’t supposed to and ran the maze backward, making everyone laugh.

4. How did the llamas react to the obstacle course?
– The llamas enjoyed the obstacle course and didn’t try to leave anymore. They found it so fun that they didn’t want to go anywhere else.

5. What happened to Mr. Thompson’s farm after he started doing the obstacle courses?
– Mr. Thompson’s farm became famous, and people from all over came to watch the llamas on the obstacle course.

6. What did the village learn from Mr. Thompson and his llamas?
– The village learned that even when things don’t go as planned, we can still find happiness and laughter. Mr. Thompson and his llamas showed everyone that it’s good to enjoy life’s surprises.

7. Why do you think the villagers enjoyed watching the llamas on the obstacle course?
– The villagers enjoyed watching the llamas on the obstacle course because it was entertaining and brought joy to their lives. Milo’s funny behavior made everyone laugh and created a fun atmosphere.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) surrounded
(2) farmer
(3) llamas
(4) morning
(5) calling
(6) eating
(7) nearby
(8) decided
(9) watch
(10) llama
(11) obstacles
(12) behavior
(13) Thompson
(14) courses
(15) whole
(16) showed
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. village
Answer: (M) A small community or group of houses in a rural area, smaller than a town

2. llamas
Answer: (L) A type of domesticated South American mammal known for its soft wool

3. farmer
Answer: (G) A person who owns or manages a farm

4. fluffy
Answer: (I) Soft and light, like a cloud or a soft pillow

5. relieved
Answer: (H) Feeling happy and calm because something bad did not happen

6. obstacle
Answer: (C) Something that blocks the way or makes it difficult to move forward

7. tunnels
Answer: (B) Underground or enclosed passages that people or animals can go through

8. maze
Answer: (E) A complex network of paths or passages that is difficult to find the way through

9. invited
Answer: (F) Asked people to come to an event or place

10. cheered
Answer: (O) Shouted with happiness or approval

11. clown
Answer: (N) Someone who acts silly or tries to make people laugh

12. behavior
Answer: (K) The way someone acts or conducts themselves, especially towards others

13. famous
Answer: (D) Well-known by many people

14. experience
Answer: (J) Something that has been lived through, especially something interesting or exciting

15. surprises
Answer: (A) Unexpected events or moments that can be enjoyable or interesting
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What kind of animals did Mr. Thompson raise on his farm?
Answer: (c) Llamas

2. Where did Mr. Thompson find Milo?
Answer: (b) Stuck in a bush

3. Why did Mr. Thompson decide to build an obstacle course?
Answer: (a) To prevent the llamas from wandering off

4. How did Daisy perform on the obstacle course?
Answer: (d) She did really well

5. What was Milo’s behavior like on the obstacle course?
Answer: (b) He was a total clown

6. Why did the llamas not try to leave after the obstacle course day?
Answer: (c) The obstacle course was fun for them

7. What did Mr. Thompson’s farm become known for?
Answer: (a) The obstacle courses for llamas

8. What did Mr. Thompson and his llamas teach the village?
Answer: (d) To find happiness and laughter in unexpected situations
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. To prevent the llamas from wandering off again, Mr. Thompson decides to build a small obstacle course for them. (Answer: False)
2. One morning, Mr. Thompson’s favorite llama, Milo, goes missing, but he eventually finds him happily eating apples. (Answer: True)
3. Every evening, Mr. Thompson takes care of his llamas by feeding them and grooming their fur. (Answer: False)
4. The village is invited to watch the llamas navigate the obstacle course, and they are excited to see what Mr. Thompson has created. (Answer: True)
5. The llamas dislike the obstacle course so much that they continue to try to leave the farm, and Mr. Thompson’s farm becomes infamous for its llama obstacle courses. (Answer: False)
6. Daisy, one of the llamas, performs well on the course, while Milo becomes the clown of the day, making everyone laugh with his funny antics. (Answer: True)
7. The obstacle course includes jumps, tunnels, and a maze specifically designed for llamas. (Answer: True)
8. Mr. Thompson is a rancher who raises llamas on his farm in a big city. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 3 stories?

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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.

Humphrey the Hippogriff embarks on a quest to cure his hiccups and discovers the power of laughter.

The Hiccuping Hippogriff

Humphrey the Hippogriff couldn’t stop hiccupping, but with the help of a wise unicorn, he discovered that laughter was the key to curing his hiccups and spreading joy to others.