Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

Short Stories for Kids

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The Maze of Mirrors

Mia and Ben conquer the Maze of Mirrors, learning the value of perseverance and laughter.

Try this story at a different level?

 

In a magical place called Miravia, there was a popular amusement park known as Funlandia. Inside this park, there was a very difficult maze made of mirrors. This maze was famous for being the most confusing one in the land. People with a lot of bravery and smarts were the ones who tried to complete it.

One morning, a girl named Mia and her best friend, Ben, decided to take on this Maze of Mirrors. They went into the maze feeling brave and ready to solve it. As they walked, they saw many reflections of themselves in the mirrors on the walls. It was hard to tell where to go, but they kept moving forward.

All of a sudden, Mia thought she saw the way out. She ran towards it but bumped into a mirror and broke it. Instead of getting hurt, she got sprayed with silly string and looked really funny. Ben couldn’t stop laughing. Mia looked like she had colorful tentacles! They figured out the maze had silly tricks, and they had to be careful not to be fooled.

Mia and Ben kept going, but then they got stuck. In front of them was a big mirror and they didn’t know what to do. Just as they were about to stop trying, Ben saw something strange. When he moved his hand, the hand in the mirror moved differently. He realized it wasn’t a real mirror – it was the exit pretending to be a mirror!

When they walked out of the maze, Mia and Ben were very proud. They had gone through lots of challenges and laughed a lot. They learned that life can be like a maze, with many surprises and confusing moments. But the important thing is to stay strong, never quit, and always find something to laugh about.

From then on, Mia and Ben were famous in Funlandia. They told people to keep going no matter what and to find happiness in tough times. They would always go back to the amusement park every year to tell their story. The Maze of Mirrors reminded everyone to be persistent and to not forget to laugh, showing us all that there’s always a way to solve even the hardest of puzzles.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

1magicalSomething that seems to have special powers and makes you think of fairy tales
2amusementThe feeling of fun and enjoyment, often found at parks with rides and games
3mazeA complex network of paths or passages that is hard to find your way through
4braveryThe quality of being courageous and facing difficult situations without fear
5reflectionsImages of yourself that you see in mirrors or shiny surfaces
6sprayedCovered with a stream of liquid or other substance
7tentaclesLong, flexible parts like arms, often found on sea creatures like octopuses
8tricksDeceptive actions or things that are meant to fool someone
9challengesDifficult tasks or situations that test your ability
10pretendingActing like something you are not or making something appear different than it is
11proudFeeling very pleased with yourself or someone else
12persistentStaying determined and not giving up, even when things are tough
13famousWell-known by many people
14happinessA feeling of great pleasure and joy
15puzzlesGames or problems that make you think hard to find the answer

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What was the name of the amusement park in Miravia?
2. What made the Maze of Mirrors famous?
3. Why did Mia and Ben start laughing when Mia bumped into a mirror?
4. How did Ben realize that the big mirror was actually the exit?
5. How did Mia and Ben feel after they completed the maze?
6. What lesson did Mia and Ben learn from their experience in the maze?
7. Why did Mia and Ben become famous in Funlandia?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In a magical place called Miravia, there was a popular amusement park known as Funlandia. Inside this park, there was a very difficult maze made of mirrors. This maze was (1)______ for being the most confusing one in the land. People with a lot of bravery and smarts were the ones who tried to complete it.

One morning, a girl named Mia and her best friend, Ben, decided to take on this Maze of (2)______. They went into the maze feeling brave and (3)______ to (4)______ it. As they walked, they saw many reflections of themselves in the mirrors on the walls. It was hard to tell where to go, but they kept (5)______ forward.

All of a sudden, Mia thought she saw the way out. She ran towards it but bumped into a mirror and broke it. Instead of getting hurt, she got sprayed with (6)______ string and (7)______ really (8)______. Ben couldn’t stop laughing. Mia looked like she had colorful tentacles! They figured out the maze had silly tricks, and they had to be careful not to be fooled.

Mia and Ben kept going, but then they got (9)______. In front of them was a big mirror and they didn’t know what to do. Just as they were about to stop trying, Ben saw something strange. When he moved his hand, the hand in the mirror moved differently. He realized it wasn’t a real mirror – it was the exit (10)______ to be a mirror!

When they walked out of the maze, Mia and Ben were very (11)______. They had gone through lots of challenges and laughed a lot. They learned that life can be like a maze, with many (12)______ and confusing (13)______. But the (14)______ thing is to stay strong, never quit, and always find something to laugh about.

From then on, Mia and Ben were famous in Funlandia. They told people to keep (15)______ no matter what and to find happiness in tough times. They would always go back to the amusement park every year to tell their story. The Maze of Mirrors (16)______ everyone to be persistent and to not forget to laugh, showing us all that there’s always a way to solve even the hardest of puzzles.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is an amusement park? Have you ever been to one?
2. How would you feel if you were in a maze made of mirrors? Would you be excited or scared?
3. Do you think it’s important to be brave and smart in difficult situations? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever been fooled by a trick or a prank? How did you feel afterwards?
5. What do you think is the most important lesson Mia and Ben learned from their experience in the maze?
6. Do you think it’s important to never give up, even when things are tough? Why or why not?
7. Have you ever had a moment when you felt stuck or didn’t know what to do? How did you handle it?
8. What do you think is the meaning of the saying “life is like a maze”? Do you agree with it?
9. How do you think Mia and Ben’s story inspired others in Funlandia? Can you think of a time when someone’s story inspired you?
10. Do you think it’s important to find something to laugh about even in tough times? Why or why not?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. magical
2. amusement
3. maze
4. bravery
5. reflections
6. sprayed
7. tentacles
8. tricks
9. challenges
10. pretending
11. proud
12. persistent
13. famous
14. happiness
15. puzzles

Meanings:
(A) Staying determined and not giving up, even when things are tough
(B) A feeling of great pleasure and joy
(C) Covered with a stream of liquid or other substance
(D) Deceptive actions or things that are meant to fool someone
(E) The feeling of fun and enjoyment, often found at parks with rides and games
(F) A complex network of paths or passages that is hard to find your way through
(G) Feeling very pleased with yourself or someone else
(H) Well-known by many people
(I) Difficult tasks or situations that test your ability
(J) Images of yourself that you see in mirrors or shiny surfaces
(K) The quality of being courageous and facing difficult situations without fear
(L) Games or problems that make you think hard to find the answer
(M) Long, flexible parts like arms, often found on sea creatures like octopuses
(N) Something that seems to have special powers and makes you think of fairy tales
(O) Acting like something you are not or making something appear different than it is
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the amusement park in the story?
(a) Adventureland
(b) Funlandia
(c) Magic Kingdom
(d) Wonderland

2. What is the Maze of Mirrors known for?
(a) Being the scariest maze in Miravia
(b) Being the easiest maze in Miravia
(c) Being the most confusing maze in Miravia
(d) Being the smallest maze in Miravia

3. Who are the main characters in the story?
(a) Sherlock and Watson
(b) Alice and Bob
(c) Mia and Ben
(d) Emma and Jack

4. What happens to Mia when she bumps into a mirror?
(a) She gets sprayed with silly string
(b) She gets hurt
(c) She disappears
(d) She gets scared

5. How does Ben realize that the mirror in front of them is the exit?
(a) He sees a sign pointing to the exit
(b) He hears a voice telling him it’s the exit
(c) He feels a breeze coming from the mirror
(d) He sees his hand moving differently in the mirror

6. What do Mia and Ben learn from their experience in the Maze of Mirrors?
(a) To give up when things get tough
(b) To be afraid of mazes
(c) To avoid amusement parks
(d) To stay strong, never quit, and find something to laugh about

7. What do Mia and Ben become famous for in Funlandia?
(a) Solving the hardest puzzles in the amusement park
(b) Telling people to keep going and find happiness in tough times
(c) Creating their own maze in Funlandia
(d) Performing magic tricks in Funlandia

8. What does the Maze of Mirrors remind everyone of?
(a) To be persistent and not forget to laugh
(b) To always give up when faced with challenges
(c) To avoid mirrors in amusement parks
(d) To never visit Funlandia again

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. They returned to Funlandia every year to share their story and remind others to keep going and find happiness in tough times.
2. Mia purposely broke a mirror in the maze and got sprayed with silly string, making her look ridiculous.
3. Mia and Ben failed to complete the Maze of Mirrors and felt disappointed in their inability.
4. They learned that life can be like a maze with surprises and confusing moments, but it’s important to stay strong and never give up.
5. Mia and Ben became famous in Funlandia for their perseverance and positive attitude.
6. The Maze of Mirrors in Funlandia is known for being the simplest maze in Miravia.
7. Mia and Ben, best friends, decided to take on the Maze of Mirrors one morning.
8. Ben failed to realize that one of the mirrors in the maze was actually the exit pretending to be a mirror.
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. What was the name of the amusement park in Miravia?
The name of the amusement park in Miravia was Funlandia.

2. What made the Maze of Mirrors famous?
The Maze of Mirrors was famous for being the most confusing maze in the land.

3. Why did Mia and Ben start laughing when Mia bumped into a mirror?
Mia and Ben started laughing because when Mia bumped into the mirror, she got sprayed with silly string and looked really funny.

4. How did Ben realize that the big mirror was actually the exit?
Ben realized that the big mirror was actually the exit when he moved his hand and saw that the hand in the mirror moved differently.

5. How did Mia and Ben feel after they completed the maze?
Mia and Ben felt proud after they completed the maze.

6. What lesson did Mia and Ben learn from their experience in the maze?
Mia and Ben learned that life can be like a maze, with many surprises and confusing moments. But the important thing is to stay strong, never quit, and always find something to laugh about.

7. Why did Mia and Ben become famous in Funlandia?
Mia and Ben became famous in Funlandia because they told people to keep going no matter what and to find happiness in tough times. They would always go back to the amusement park every year to tell their story. The Maze of Mirrors reminded everyone to be persistent and to not forget to laugh, showing us all that there’s always a way to solve even the hardest of puzzles.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) famous
(2) Mirrors
(3) ready
(4) solve
(5) moving
(6) silly
(7) looked
(8) funny
(9) stuck
(10) pretending
(11) proud
(12) surprises
(13) moments
(14) important
(15) going
(16) reminded
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. magical
Answer: (N) Something that seems to have special powers and makes you think of fairy tales

2. amusement
Answer: (E) The feeling of fun and enjoyment, often found at parks with rides and games

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

4. bravery
Answer: (K) The quality of being courageous and facing difficult situations without fear

5. reflections
Answer: (J) Images of yourself that you see in mirrors or shiny surfaces

6. sprayed
Answer: (C) Covered with a stream of liquid or other substance

7. tentacles
Answer: (M) Long, flexible parts like arms, often found on sea creatures like octopuses

8. tricks
Answer: (D) Deceptive actions or things that are meant to fool someone

9. challenges
Answer: (I) Difficult tasks or situations that test your ability

10. pretending
Answer: (O) Acting like something you are not or making something appear different than it is

11. proud
Answer: (G) Feeling very pleased with yourself or someone else

12. persistent
Answer: (A) Staying determined and not giving up, even when things are tough

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

14. happiness
Answer: (B) A feeling of great pleasure and joy

15. puzzles
Answer: (L) Games or problems that make you think hard to find the answer
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the amusement park in the story?
Answer: (b) Funlandia

2. What is the Maze of Mirrors known for?
Answer: (c) Being the most confusing maze in Miravia

3. Who are the main characters in the story?
Answer: (c) Mia and Ben

4. What happens to Mia when she bumps into a mirror?
Answer: (a) She gets sprayed with silly string

5. How does Ben realize that the mirror in front of them is the exit?
Answer: (d) He sees his hand moving differently in the mirror

6. What do Mia and Ben learn from their experience in the Maze of Mirrors?
Answer: (d) To stay strong, never quit, and find something to laugh about

7. What do Mia and Ben become famous for in Funlandia?
Answer: (b) Telling people to keep going and find happiness in tough times

8. What does the Maze of Mirrors remind everyone of?
Answer: (a) To be persistent and not forget to laugh
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. They returned to Funlandia every year to share their story and remind others to keep going and find happiness in tough times. (Answer: True)
2. Mia purposely broke a mirror in the maze and got sprayed with silly string, making her look ridiculous. (Answer: False)
3. Mia and Ben failed to complete the Maze of Mirrors and felt disappointed in their inability. (Answer: False)
4. They learned that life can be like a maze with surprises and confusing moments, but it’s important to stay strong and never give up. (Answer: True)
5. Mia and Ben became famous in Funlandia for their perseverance and positive attitude. (Answer: True)
6. The Maze of Mirrors in Funlandia is known for being the simplest maze in Miravia. (Answer: False)
7. Mia and Ben, best friends, decided to take on the Maze of Mirrors one morning. (Answer: True)
8. Ben failed to realize that one of the mirrors in the maze was actually the exit pretending to be a mirror. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 3 stories?

Dara the daring dragonfly embarks on a quest, only to discover that the true treasure is within.

The Daring Dragonfly

Dara the dragonfly found a hidden treasure in the forest, but it wasn’t gold or jewels—it was something even better.

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.

Freddie the squirrel learns a valuable lesson about the true meaning of happiness and unity.

The Peacock Parade

Freddie the squirrel learns that the best things in life are experiences shared with friends.

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

The Lonely Turtle

Timothy the turtle feels lonely, but when he finds a magical compass, he embarks on an adventure to find friends and discovers a secret bay full of turtles just like him.

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.

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