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 Lonely Turtle

A lonely turtle named Timothy embarks on an adventure to find friends and discovers a hidden cove.

Try this story at a different level?

 

Once upon a time, in a huge ocean full of bright fish and dolphins playing around, there was a turtle named Timothy who felt very alone. Despite being a nice and kind turtle, Timothy was sad because he didn’t have friends. While the other turtles played and swam together, no one ever asked Timothy to hang out. He always watched them from afar, feeling left out.

One sunny day, as Timothy swam close to a coral reef, he saw something shiny under the water. Driven by curiosity, he went closer to check it out. It turned out to be a magical compass! This wasn’t just any compass; it pointed towards what Timothy’s heart wanted the most. Feeling thrilled, Timothy wondered where it could lead him.

With the compass in flipper, Timothy started an adventure. He swam through tough waves, dodged jellyfish that tried to sting him, and even went through a group of cheeky seahorses. But Timothy didn’t stop. He knew that to get to great places, you sometimes have to face challenges.

Finally, after swimming for days, Timothy reached a secret bay. He couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw many turtles like him, all playing and having a good time. It looked as if they were waiting for Timothy. The lonely turtle had found friends at last. From that day on, Timothy was never sad again, and his days were full of fun and friendship.

The story of Timothy teaches us a valuable lesson: being brave can lead us to find true friends. Even when we feel alone and face tough times, we shouldn’t give up. By keeping on searching and being ourselves, we will eventually find our special place where we’re loved and happy.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

1oceanA large body of salt water that covers most of the Earth
2dolphinsSmart and playful sea animals known for their intelligence and friendliness
3compassA tool used for finding direction, especially one with a needle that points north
4curiousWanting to learn more about something or someone
5adventureAn exciting and risky journey or experience
6jellyfishSea creatures that can sting you with their tentacles
7seahorsesSmall, horse-shaped sea creatures that are known for being cute but tricky
8challengesDifficult situations or problems that you have to deal with
9secretKept hidden from others or known only to a few people
10friendshipThe relationship between people who care about each other and enjoy spending time together
11braveHaving courage and not being afraid to face tough situations
12lonelyFeeling sad because you’re by yourself and don’t have any company
13valuableSomething that is very useful or important
14searchingLooking carefully for something or someone
15specialBeing unique and very important to someone

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Who is Timothy and why is he sad?
2. What did Timothy find under the water and what was special about it?
3. What challenges did Timothy face on his adventure?
4. How did Timothy feel when he finally reached the secret bay?
5. What lesson does the story of Timothy teach us?
6. Why is it important to be brave when looking for friends?
7. Why is it important to be ourselves when searching for our special place?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Once upon a time, in a huge ocean full of bright fish and (1)______ playing around, there was a turtle named Timothy who felt very alone. Despite being a nice and kind turtle, Timothy was sad because he didn’t have friends. While the other (2)______ played and swam together, no one ever asked Timothy to hang out. He always watched them from afar, (3)______ left out.

One (4)______ day, as Timothy swam close to a coral reef, he saw something shiny under the water. Driven by curiosity, he went closer to check it out. It turned out to be a magical compass! This wasn’t just any compass; it (5)______ towards what Timothy’s heart wanted the most. (6)______ thrilled, Timothy wondered where it could lead him.

With the compass in flipper, Timothy started an adventure. He swam through (7)______ waves, dodged (8)______ that tried to sting him, and even went through a group of cheeky (9)______. But Timothy didn’t stop. He knew that to get to (10)______ places, you sometimes have to face challenges.

Finally, after (11)______ for days, Timothy reached a secret bay. He couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw many turtles like him, all playing and having a good time. It looked as if they were (12)______ for Timothy. The lonely turtle had found friends at last. From that day on, (13)______ was never sad again, and his days were full of fun and (14)______.

The story of Timothy teaches us a valuable lesson: being brave can lead us to find true friends. Even when we feel alone and face tough times, we shouldn’t give up. By keeping on (15)______ and being ourselves, we will eventually find our (16)______ place where we’re loved and happy.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a compass? Why do you think Timothy was excited to find a magical compass?
2. How would you feel if you were Timothy and no one asked you to hang out? Why?
3. Have you ever felt left out or alone? How did it make you feel? What did you do about it?
4. Do you think it’s important to face challenges in order to achieve something great? Why or why not?
5. Why do you think Timothy didn’t give up on his adventure, even when he faced tough waves and jellyfish?
6. Have you ever had to overcome obstacles to achieve a goal? Can you share your experience?
7. Do you think it’s possible to find true friends by being brave and true to yourself? Why or why not?
8. How do you think Timothy felt when he finally found the secret bay with other turtles like him? Why?
9. Do you think it’s important to keep searching for happiness and friendship, even when things are difficult? Why or why not?
10. Can you think of a time when you found your special place where you felt loved and happy? What was it like?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. ocean
2. dolphins
3. compass
4. curious
5. adventure
6. jellyfish
7. seahorses
8. challenges
9. secret
10. friendship
11. brave
12. lonely
13. valuable
14. searching
15. special

Meanings:
(A) Smart and playful sea animals known for their intelligence and friendliness
(B) A large body of salt water that covers most of the Earth
(C) A tool used for finding direction, especially one with a needle that points north
(D) Looking carefully for something or someone
(E) Something that is very useful or important
(F) The relationship between people who care about each other and enjoy spending time together
(G) Difficult situations or problems that you have to deal with
(H) Having courage and not being afraid to face tough situations
(I) An exciting and risky journey or experience
(J) Being unique and very important to someone
(K) Wanting to learn more about something or someone
(L) Small, horse-shaped sea creatures that are known for being cute but tricky
(M) Sea creatures that can sting you with their tentacles
(N) Feeling sad because you’re by yourself and don’t have any company
(O) Kept hidden from others or known only to a few people
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What was Timothy’s problem at the beginning of the story?
(a) He couldn’t find his way home.
(b) He was afraid of the other turtles.
(c) He didn’t have any friends.
(d) He didn’t like swimming.

2. What did Timothy find under the water?
(a) A shiny pearl.
(b) A hidden treasure.
(c) A lost seahorse.
(d) A magical compass.

3. What did the compass do?
(a) It helped Timothy swim faster.
(b) It made Timothy invisible.
(c) It pointed towards what Timothy wanted the most.
(d) It gave Timothy special powers.

4. What challenges did Timothy face on his adventure?
(a) Sharks, dolphins, and octopuses.
(b) Whales, crabs, and starfish.
(c) Seagulls, turtles, and seaweed.
(d) Tough waves, jellyfish, and seahorses.

5. Where did Timothy finally end up?
(a) A secret bay with other turtles.
(b) A coral reef with colorful fish.
(c) A deserted island with palm trees.
(d) A deep cave with glowing crystals.

6. What did Timothy learn from his adventure?
(a) Swimming fast is the key to happiness.
(b) Being brave can lead to finding true friends.
(c) It’s better to be alone than have fake friends.
(d) Turtles should never leave their homes.

7. What did Timothy’s days become after finding his friends?
(a) Boring and lonely.
(b) Full of fun and friendship.
(c) Filled with danger and excitement.
(d) Busy and stressful.

8. What is the lesson we can learn from Timothy’s story?
(a) By being ourselves and not giving up, we can find our special place.
(b) It’s better to stay alone than face challenges.
(c) True friends are hard to find.
(d) Adventures are always dangerous and should be avoided.

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. By staying true to ourselves and not giving up, we can eventually find a place where we are loved and happy.
2. After swimming for days, Timothy arrived at a public bay where he found many other creatures unlike him.
3. One day, Timothy discovered a magical compass that pointed towards what he desired most.
4. The other turtles in the public bay were waiting for Timothy, but he never found any friends.
5. Despite facing challenges like calm waves and seashells, Timothy didn’t give up on his adventure.
6. Timothy’s days were still sad and lonely, with no fun and friendship.
7. Timothy, the turtle, felt lonely because he didn’t have any friends to play with.
8. The story of Timothy teaches us that being brave can lead us to find true friends.
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 Timothy and why is he sad?
Timothy is a turtle who feels sad because he doesn’t have any friends.

2. What did Timothy find under the water and what was special about it?
Timothy found a magical compass under the water. It was special because it pointed towards what Timothy’s heart wanted the most.

3. What challenges did Timothy face on his adventure?
Timothy faced tough waves, jellyfish that tried to sting him, and a group of cheeky seahorses on his adventure.

4. How did Timothy feel when he finally reached the secret bay?
Timothy felt happy and excited when he finally reached the secret bay. He couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw many turtles like him, all playing and having a good time.

5. What lesson does the story of Timothy teach us?
The story of Timothy teaches us that being brave can lead us to find true friends. Even when we feel alone and face tough times, we shouldn’t give up. By keeping on searching and being ourselves, we will eventually find our special place where we’re loved and happy.

6. Why is it important to be brave when looking for friends?
It is important to be brave when looking for friends because sometimes we have to face challenges and step out of our comfort zone to find true friendship. By being brave, we can overcome our fears and open ourselves up to new experiences and connections.

7. Why is it important to be ourselves when searching for our special place?
It is important to be ourselves when searching for our special place because true friends will accept us for who we are. By being authentic and true to ourselves, we attract people who genuinely like us for who we are, rather than trying to fit into someone else’s mold. This allows us to form deep and meaningful connections with others.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) dolphins
(2) turtles
(3) feeling
(4) sunny
(5) pointed
(6) Feeling
(7) tough
(8) jellyfish
(9) seahorses
(10) great
(11) swimming
(12) waiting
(13) Timothy
(14) friendship
(15) searching
(16) special
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. ocean
Answer: (B) A large body of salt water that covers most of the Earth

2. dolphins
Answer: (A) Smart and playful sea animals known for their intelligence and friendliness

3. compass
Answer: (C) A tool used for finding direction, especially one with a needle that points north

4. curious
Answer: (K) Wanting to learn more about something or someone

5. adventure
Answer: (I) An exciting and risky journey or experience

6. jellyfish
Answer: (M) Sea creatures that can sting you with their tentacles

7. seahorses
Answer: (L) Small, horse-shaped sea creatures that are known for being cute but tricky

8. challenges
Answer: (G) Difficult situations or problems that you have to deal with

9. secret
Answer: (O) Kept hidden from others or known only to a few people

10. friendship
Answer: (F) The relationship between people who care about each other and enjoy spending time together

11. brave
Answer: (H) Having courage and not being afraid to face tough situations

12. lonely
Answer: (N) Feeling sad because you’re by yourself and don’t have any company

13. valuable
Answer: (E) Something that is very useful or important

14. searching
Answer: (D) Looking carefully for something or someone

15. special
Answer: (J) Being unique and very important to someone
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What was Timothy’s problem at the beginning of the story?
Answer: (c) He didn’t have any friends.

2. What did Timothy find under the water?
Answer: (d) A magical compass.

3. What did the compass do?
Answer: (c) It pointed towards what Timothy wanted the most.

4. What challenges did Timothy face on his adventure?
Answer: (d) Tough waves, jellyfish, and seahorses.

5. Where did Timothy finally end up?
Answer: (a) A secret bay with other turtles.

6. What did Timothy learn from his adventure?
Answer: (b) Being brave can lead to finding true friends.

7. What did Timothy’s days become after finding his friends?
Answer: (b) Full of fun and friendship.

8. What is the lesson we can learn from Timothy’s story?
Answer: (a) By being ourselves and not giving up, we can find our special place.
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. By staying true to ourselves and not giving up, we can eventually find a place where we are loved and happy. (Answer: True)
2. After swimming for days, Timothy arrived at a public bay where he found many other creatures unlike him. (Answer: False)
3. One day, Timothy discovered a magical compass that pointed towards what he desired most. (Answer: True)
4. The other turtles in the public bay were waiting for Timothy, but he never found any friends. (Answer: False)
5. Despite facing challenges like calm waves and seashells, Timothy didn’t give up on his adventure. (Answer: False)
6. Timothy’s days were still sad and lonely, with no fun and friendship. (Answer: False)
7. Timothy, the turtle, felt lonely because he didn’t have any friends to play with. (Answer: True)
8. The story of Timothy teaches us that being brave can lead us to find true friends. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 3 stories?

A snail named Sam learns that true happiness comes from following your own path.

How the Snail Found His Shell

Sam, a shell-less snail, embarks on a quest to find the perfect shell but discovers that true happiness comes from being yourself.

Captain Pete, the Polka-Dot Pirate, embarks on a treasure hunt and discovers the true meaning of sharing.

The Polka-Dot Pirate

Captain Pete, the Polka-Dot Pirate, goes on an adventure to find a special treasure hidden on Dottilandia, but discovers that true treasure is about sharing joy and being kind to others.

Whiskers, the Queen of Cats, unites animals of all kinds and teaches them the power of compassion.

The Queen of Cats

Whiskers the cat becomes the Queen of Cats by showing kindness and bringing animals together.

An invisible unicorn named Bella discovers the power of friendship and the magic of being seen.

The Invisible Unicorn

Bella, a unicorn that nobody could see, discovers the power of friendship and being seen for who she truly is.

A detective solves the mystery of the missing blueberry pies and brings together a bear family and the town.

The Blueberry Pie Mystery

A detective named Graspberry finds out that a family of bears has been eating all the blueberry pies from a famous bakery, but instead of getting mad, he suggests that the bears help pick blueberries for the pies in exchange for some, and everyone becomes friends.