Paul Holmes -
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English Professor

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Short Stories for Kids

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The Mysterious Mango

Maya's wish for endless laughter brings joy and unity to her village, making her the laughter ambassador.

Try this story at a different level?

 

In a little village, there was a girl called Maya who loved adventures and finding new things. One bright day, while walking around the village market, she saw something unusual at a fruit stand. Among the normal fruits, there was a shiny, glowing mango. Curious, Maya went over to ask the seller about this strange mango.

The old man selling fruit had a sparkly look in his eyes when he told her, “This mango is special. If you eat it, you get to make a wish come true. But first, you have to answer a riddle.” Maya was thrilled and couldn’t wait to try the mango and make her wish. She agreed to try the riddle. The man gave her the mango and asked, “I have a heart that doesn’t beat. What am I?”

Maya thought hard, then laughed and said, “A deck of cards!” The man smiled, happy that she got it right, and gave her a knife to cut the mango. When she tasted it, it was delicious, and she felt warm and happy inside.

Before Maya could wish for something, the mango started to move and shake. Suddenly, a playful mango spirit appeared. It laughed and told Maya, “You answered the riddle, so I’ll give you what you want. But be careful, because I like to play tricks!” Maya, feeling playful herself, wished for everyone to have never-ending laughter.

With a snap of its fingers from the sprite, the whole village started laughing non-stop. People were laughing so hard that they were crying with happiness. This laugh made the village a happier place and brought all the people closer together.

Days after, Maya saw how powerful laughter could be. It made her and the people around her feel good. She understood that even things that are not expected can make you really happy. She would always remember the magic mango and the fun spirit, and she promised to make others laugh as much as she could.

From then on, Maya was the one who made everyone laugh in the village. She brought laughter to sick people, students, and even back to the fruit seller. Her wish showed everyone that laughing is a great way to feel better and to bring people together. Because of Maya’s wish and the mango’s gift, everyone learned to love laughing and share it with others.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

1adventuresExciting experiences that involve risks or discoveries
2unusualNot common or ordinary; strange
3curiousWanting to know more about something or someone
4riddleA puzzle or question that is challenging to solve
5thrilledExtremely excited and happy
6mangoA tropical fruit that is sweet and juicy
7spiritThe non-physical part of a person, often thought to be the true self
8playfulIn a fun and light-hearted manner
9spriteA small mythical creature, often with magical powers
10non-stopWithout any breaks or pauses; continuously
11powerfulHaving a lot of influence or effect
12unexpectedNot planned or expected
13promiseA commitment to do something in the future
14sickNot feeling well or having an illness
15shareTo give a part of something to others or use something with others

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Who is the main character in the story?
2. What did Maya see at the fruit stand that was unusual?
3. What did Maya have to do in order to eat the mango and make a wish?
4. What was Maya’s answer to the riddle?
5. What happened after Maya made her wish?
6. How did Maya feel about laughter after her wish came true?
7. How did Maya bring laughter to the people in the village?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In a (1)______ village, there was a girl called Maya who loved adventures and finding new things. One bright day, while (2)______ around the village market, she saw something unusual at a fruit stand. Among the normal fruits, there was a shiny, glowing mango. Curious, Maya went over to ask the (3)______ about this strange mango.

The old man (4)______ fruit had a sparkly look in his eyes when he told her, “This mango is special. If you eat it, you get to make a wish come true. But first, you have to answer a riddle.” Maya was thrilled and couldn’t wait to try the (5)______ and make her wish. She (6)______ to try the riddle. The man gave her the mango and asked, “I have a heart that doesn’t beat. What am I?”

Maya thought hard, then laughed and said, “A deck of cards!” The man smiled, happy that she got it (7)______, and gave her a knife to cut the mango. When she tasted it, it was delicious, and she felt warm and happy inside.

Before Maya could wish for something, the mango started to move and shake. Suddenly, a (8)______ mango spirit appeared. It laughed and told Maya, “You answered the riddle, so I’ll give you what you want. But be careful, because I like to play tricks!” Maya, (9)______ playful herself, wished for everyone to have never-ending laughter.

With a snap of its fingers from the sprite, the (10)______ village started laughing non-stop. People were laughing so hard that they were crying with (11)______. This laugh made the village a (12)______ place and brought all the people closer together.

Days after, Maya saw how powerful laughter could be. It made her and the people around her feel good. She understood that even things that are not (13)______ can make you really happy. She would always (14)______ the magic mango and the fun spirit, and she promised to make (15)______ laugh as much as she could.

From then on, Maya was the one who made everyone laugh in the village. She brought laughter to sick people, students, and even back to the fruit seller. Her wish (16)______ everyone that laughing is a great way to feel better and to bring people together. Because of Maya’s wish and the mango’s gift, everyone learned to love laughing and share it with others.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is an adventure? Have you ever had an adventure?
2. How would you feel if you found a shiny, glowing mango? Why?
3. Do you like riddles? Why or why not?
4. What is your favorite fruit? Why do you like it?
5. How would you feel if you could make a wish come true? What would you wish for?
6. Have you ever tasted something that was delicious? How did it make you feel?
7. Do you like playing tricks on people? Why or why not?
8. How would you feel if everyone around you started laughing non-stop? Why?
9. How can laughter make you feel better? Have you ever experienced this?
10. Do you think it’s important to make others laugh? Why or why not?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. adventures
2. unusual
3. curious
4. riddle
5. thrilled
6. mango
7. spirit
8. playful
9. sprite
10. non-stop
11. powerful
12. unexpected
13. promise
14. sick
15. share

Meanings:
(A) Not feeling well or having an illness
(B) Not common or ordinary; strange
(C) A small mythical creature, often with magical powers
(D) The non-physical part of a person, often thought to be the true self
(E) Extremely excited and happy
(F) Without any breaks or pauses; continuously
(G) A commitment to do something in the future
(H) In a fun and light-hearted manner
(I) A tropical fruit that is sweet and juicy
(J) A puzzle or question that is challenging to solve
(K) Not planned or expected
(L) Wanting to know more about something or someone
(M) Exciting experiences that involve risks or discoveries
(N) To give a part of something to others or use something with others
(O) Having a lot of influence or effect
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What did Maya see at the fruit stand that caught her attention?
(a) A shiny, glowing mango
(b) A basket of apples
(c) A bunch of bananas
(d) A juicy watermelon

2. What did the old man selling fruit tell Maya about the mango?
(a) If she eats it, she can make a wish come true
(b) It’s the sweetest mango in the world
(c) It’s a rare and expensive fruit
(d) It’s a mango from a magical tree

3. What did Maya have to do before she could make her wish?
(a) Buy another fruit from the stand
(b) Sing a song
(c) Dance a jig
(d) Answer a riddle

4. What did Maya answer when the old man asked her, “I have a heart that doesn’t beat. What am I?”
(a) A mango
(b) A deck of cards
(c) A clock
(d) A flower

5. What happened after Maya answered the riddle correctly?
(a) The old man gave her another riddle to solve
(b) The old man gave her a different fruit instead
(c) The old man told her to come back another day
(d) The old man gave her a knife to cut the mango

6. What happened when Maya tasted the mango?
(a) It tasted sour and made her feel sick
(b) It turned into a different fruit in her mouth
(c) It was delicious and made her feel warm and happy inside
(d) It disappeared and left her hungry

7. What happened after Maya made her wish?
(a) The old man disappeared
(b) A playful mango spirit appeared
(c) The village became sad and quiet
(d) Maya forgot what she wished for

8. What did Maya learn from her experience with the magic mango?
(a) Magic mangoes are delicious and should be eaten every day
(b) Riddles are a fun way to pass the time
(c) Laughing is a great way to feel better and bring people together
(d) Wishes always come true if you eat a special fruit

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. After Maya tastes the mango, a playful mango spirit appears.
2. Maya wishes for everyone to have eternal tears of sadness.
3. The mango has a special power that allows the person who eats it to make a wish come true.
4. Maya correctly answers the riddle and is given a knife to cut the mango.
5. Maya agrees to try to answer a riddle in order to eat the mango and make her wish.
6. Maya becomes the source of sorrow in the village and brings misery to everyone.
7. Maya is a girl who hates adventures and despises discovering new things.
8. Maya sees a dull, dim mango at a fruit stand in the village market.
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?
Maya

2. What did Maya see at the fruit stand that was unusual?
A shiny, glowing mango

3. What did Maya have to do in order to eat the mango and make a wish?
Answer a riddle

4. What was Maya’s answer to the riddle?
A deck of cards

5. What happened after Maya made her wish?
The whole village started laughing non-stop

6. How did Maya feel about laughter after her wish came true?
She understood that laughter can make people feel good and bring them closer together

7. How did Maya bring laughter to the people in the village?
She became the one who made everyone laugh and brought laughter to sick people, students, and even the fruit seller
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) little
(2) walking
(3) seller
(4) selling
(5) mango
(6) agreed
(7) right
(8) playful
(9) feeling
(10) whole
(11) happiness
(12) happier
(13) expected
(14) remember
(15) others
(16) showed
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. adventures
Answer: (M) Exciting experiences that involve risks or discoveries

2. unusual
Answer: (B) Not common or ordinary; strange

3. curious
Answer: (L) Wanting to know more about something or someone

4. riddle
Answer: (J) A puzzle or question that is challenging to solve

5. thrilled
Answer: (E) Extremely excited and happy

6. mango
Answer: (I) A tropical fruit that is sweet and juicy

7. spirit
Answer: (D) The non-physical part of a person, often thought to be the true self

8. playful
Answer: (H) In a fun and light-hearted manner

9. sprite
Answer: (C) A small mythical creature, often with magical powers

10. non-stop
Answer: (F) Without any breaks or pauses; continuously

11. powerful
Answer: (O) Having a lot of influence or effect

12. unexpected
Answer: (K) Not planned or expected

13. promise
Answer: (G) A commitment to do something in the future

14. sick
Answer: (A) Not feeling well or having an illness

15. share
Answer: (N) To give a part of something to others or use something with others
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What did Maya see at the fruit stand that caught her attention?
Answer: (a) A shiny, glowing mango

2. What did the old man selling fruit tell Maya about the mango?
Answer: (a) If she eats it, she can make a wish come true

3. What did Maya have to do before she could make her wish?
Answer: (d) Answer a riddle

4. What did Maya answer when the old man asked her, “I have a heart that doesn’t beat. What am I?”
Answer: (b) A deck of cards

5. What happened after Maya answered the riddle correctly?
Answer: (d) The old man gave her a knife to cut the mango

6. What happened when Maya tasted the mango?
Answer: (c) It was delicious and made her feel warm and happy inside

7. What happened after Maya made her wish?
Answer: (b) A playful mango spirit appeared

8. What did Maya learn from her experience with the magic mango?
Answer: (c) Laughing is a great way to feel better and bring people together
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. After Maya tastes the mango, a playful mango spirit appears. (Answer: True)
2. Maya wishes for everyone to have eternal tears of sadness. (Answer: False)
3. The mango has a special power that allows the person who eats it to make a wish come true. (Answer: True)
4. Maya correctly answers the riddle and is given a knife to cut the mango. (Answer: True)
5. Maya agrees to try to answer a riddle in order to eat the mango and make her wish. (Answer: True)
6. Maya becomes the source of sorrow in the village and brings misery to everyone. (Answer: False)
7. Maya is a girl who hates adventures and despises discovering new things. (Answer: False)
8. Maya sees a dull, dim mango at a fruit stand in the village market. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 3 stories?

Maya's wish for endless laughter brings joy and unity to her village, making her the laughter ambassador.

The Mysterious Mango

Maya finds a magical mango that grants her wish for never-ending laughter, bringing joy to her village.

Amy and the Magic Book

Amy discovers a magical book that transports her to a world where animals talk and giants are friendly, but she learns that too much magic can make people forget the joy in everyday things.

Lily and her animal friends explore a crystal cave, discovering magical powers and learning important lessons.

The Crystal Cave

Lily and her animal friends discover a magical crystal cave, where they have exciting adventures and learn important life lessons.

In the end, it wasn't the blueberries that made the Bizarre Blueberry Banquet special, but the spirit of the village.

The Bizarre Blueberry Banquet

In a village called Berryville, the blueberries disappeared before the big party, but they found a secret blueberry bush and had a blast at the rain-soaked celebration.

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.