Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

Short Stories for Kids

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The Peacock Parade

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

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In a magical forest, all the peacocks met up every year to show off their colorful feathers. This was called the Peacock Parade and was amazing to see.

There was a young squirrel named Freddie who really wanted to see this parade. He thought the peacocks were so cool with their bright feathers and smooth moves. So, he decided he was going to find this parade no matter what.

On his way, Freddie ran into some monkeys who liked to mess with others. They saw Freddie was excited and made up a story. They told him he had to find a special feather hidden in the forest before he could see the parade.

Freddie believed the monkey, named Jack, and started looking all over for this special feather. He asked other animals to help him, but they all just played along with the joke. Freddie kept looking, even though he was getting tired.

After a very long time, Freddie met an old owl who was smart and kind. The owl listened to Freddie’s story and laughed gently, telling him there was no secret feather and the monkeys were just joking. He explained that the Peacock Parade was about having fun together, not about finding things. Freddie felt a bit silly, but he was also glad to know the truth. He went back and told everyone. Soon, animals from all around came to see the peacocks dance with their fancy feathers. Everyone had a great time. Freddie learned that sometimes the best things in life are not things you find but experiences you share with friends.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

1magicalSomething that seems to have powers that can do amazing things
2peacocksBeautiful birds known for their large, colorful tail feathers
3paradeA public procession, often with music and colorful displays
4squirrelA small, agile animal with a bushy tail, often found in trees
5smoothHaving an even and regular surface or consistency; opposite of rough
6monkeysPlayful animals that can be very clever and like to climb trees
7excitedFeeling very enthusiastic and eager about something
8hiddenNot easy to find because it’s been placed where others can’t see it
9jokeSomething said or done to cause laughter, not meant to be taken seriously
10tiredFeeling the need to rest because you have used a lot of energy
11owlA bird of prey that is known for being wise
12smartHaving or showing a quick-witted intelligence
13truthThe actual facts or reality of a situation
14fancyElaborate and decorated in a very stylish and often showy way
15experiencesThings that happen to you that you live through and remember

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What was the name of the special event in the magical forest where the peacocks showed off their colorful feathers?
2. Why did Freddie want to see the Peacock Parade?
3. Who tricked Freddie into thinking he had to find a special feather before he could see the parade?
4. How did Freddie feel when he found out the truth about the special feather?
5. What did the owl explain to Freddie about the Peacock Parade?
6. What did Freddie learn from his experience?
7. Who else came to see the peacocks dance with their fancy feathers after Freddie shared the truth?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In a (1)______ forest, all the peacocks met up every year to show off their (2)______ feathers. This was called the Peacock Parade and was amazing to see.

There was a young squirrel named (3)______ who really wanted to see this parade. He thought the peacocks were so cool with their bright feathers and smooth (4)______. So, he decided he was going to find this parade no matter what.

On his way, Freddie ran into some (5)______ who liked to mess with (6)______. They saw Freddie was excited and made up a story. They told him he had to find a special (7)______ hidden in the forest before he could see the parade.

Freddie believed the monkey, named Jack, and (8)______ looking all over for this special feather. He asked other animals to help him, but they all just played along with the joke. Freddie kept (9)______, even though he was getting tired.

After a very long time, Freddie met an old owl who was smart and kind. The owl listened to Freddie’s story and laughed gently, telling him there was no secret feather and the monkeys were just (10)______. He explained that the (11)______ Parade was about (12)______ fun together, not about finding (13)______. Freddie felt a bit silly, but he was also glad to know the truth. He went back and told everyone. Soon, animals from all around came to see the (14)______ dance with their fancy feathers. Everyone had a (15)______ time. Freddie learned that sometimes the best things in life are not things you find but (16)______ you share with friends.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a peacock parade and why do you think it would be amazing to see?
2. How would you feel if someone played a trick on you like the monkeys did to Freddie?
3. Do you like going on adventures and searching for hidden things? Why or why not?
4. What do you think Freddie learned from his experience with the monkeys and the owl?
5. Have you ever believed something that turned out to be not true? How did it make you feel?
6. How do you think Freddie felt when he found out there was no secret feather?
7. Do you think it’s important to have fun experiences with friends? Why or why not?
8. What is something you have experienced with your friends that made you really happy?
9. How do you think the other animals felt when Freddie told them the truth about the parade?
10. Why do you think Freddie learned that the best things in life are not things you find, but experiences you share with friends?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. magical
2. peacocks
3. parade
4. squirrel
5. smooth
6. monkeys
7. excited
8. hidden
9. joke
10. tired
11. owl
12. smart
13. truth
14. fancy
15. experiences

Meanings:
(A) A public procession, often with music and colorful displays
(B) Something that seems to have powers that can do amazing things
(C) Beautiful birds known for their large, colorful tail feathers
(D) Not easy to find because it’s been placed where others can’t see it
(E) Playful animals that can be very clever and like to climb trees
(F) Feeling very enthusiastic and eager about something
(G) Having or showing a quick-witted intelligence
(H) A bird of prey that is known for being wise
(I) Things that happen to you that you live through and remember
(J) A small, agile animal with a bushy tail, often found in trees
(K) Elaborate and decorated in a very stylish and often showy way
(L) Something said or done to cause laughter, not meant to be taken seriously
(M) Having an even and regular surface or consistency; opposite of rough
(N) Feeling the need to rest because you have used a lot of energy
(O) The actual facts or reality of a situation
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the magical event where the peacocks show off their colorful feathers?
(a) Feather Festival
(b) Peacock Parade
(c) Colorful Showcase
(d) Rainbow Celebration

2. Who did Freddie meet on his way to find the Peacock Parade?
(a) Lions
(b) Elephants
(c) Monkeys
(d) Giraffes

3. What did the monkeys tell Freddie he had to find before he could see the parade?
(a) A special feather
(b) A hidden treasure
(c) A secret map
(d) A magical potion

4. How did Freddie feel when he found out the truth about the special feather?
(a) Angry
(b) Silly
(c) Excited
(d) Confused

5. Who finally told Freddie that there was no secret feather?
(a) A wise fox
(b) A clever squirrel
(c) A friendly rabbit
(d) An old owl

6. What did Freddie learn about the Peacock Parade?
(a) It was about having fun together
(b) It was about finding hidden treasures
(c) It was about showing off fancy feathers
(d) It was about solving puzzles

7. How did the animals react when Freddie told them the truth about the special feather?
(a) They laughed at Freddie
(b) They got angry at the monkeys
(c) They came to see the parade
(d) They ignored Freddie

8. What did Freddie learn about the best things in life?
(a) They are things you find in the forest
(b) They are colorful feathers of peacocks
(c) They are hidden treasures in the magical forest
(d) They are experiences you share with friends

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Freddie felt relieved for believing the monkeys, but he was disappointed to know the truth and went back to keep it to himself.
2. Freddie eventually met an old owl who told him the truth – there was no secret feather and the monkeys were just joking.
3. Freddie mistrusted the monkeys and stopped searching for the special feather, even though other animals were genuinely participating in the joke.
4. Animals from all around came to see the Peacock Parade and everyone had a great time, teaching Freddie that the best things in life are experiences shared with friends.
5. The Peacock Parade is an annual event where all the peacocks gather to show off their colorful feathers.
6. The owl clarified that the Peacock Parade was about finding things, not about having fun together.
7. The monkeys in the forest disliked playing tricks on others and they fooled Freddie by telling him he had to find a special feather to see the parade.
8. Freddie, a young squirrel, really wanted to see the Peacock Parade because he thought the peacocks were cool.
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 special event in the magical forest where the peacocks showed off their colorful feathers?
The special event was called the Peacock Parade.

2. Why did Freddie want to see the Peacock Parade?
Freddie wanted to see the Peacock Parade because he thought the peacocks were cool with their bright feathers and smooth moves.

3. Who tricked Freddie into thinking he had to find a special feather before he could see the parade?
The monkeys, specifically one named Jack, tricked Freddie into thinking he had to find a special feather.

4. How did Freddie feel when he found out the truth about the special feather?
Freddie felt a bit silly, but he was also glad to know the truth.

5. What did the owl explain to Freddie about the Peacock Parade?
The owl explained to Freddie that the Peacock Parade was about having fun together, not about finding things.

6. What did Freddie learn from his experience?
Freddie learned that sometimes the best things in life are not things you find but experiences you share with friends.

7. Who else came to see the peacocks dance with their fancy feathers after Freddie shared the truth?
After Freddie shared the truth, animals from all around came to see the peacocks dance with their fancy feathers.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) magical
(2) colorful
(3) Freddie
(4) moves
(5) monkeys
(6) others
(7) feather
(8) started
(9) looking
(10) joking
(11) Peacock
(12) having
(13) things
(14) peacocks
(15) great
(16) experiences
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. magical
Answer: (B) Something that seems to have powers that can do amazing things

2. peacocks
Answer: (C) Beautiful birds known for their large, colorful tail feathers

3. parade
Answer: (A) A public procession, often with music and colorful displays

4. squirrel
Answer: (J) A small, agile animal with a bushy tail, often found in trees

5. smooth
Answer: (M) Having an even and regular surface or consistency; opposite of rough

6. monkeys
Answer: (E) Playful animals that can be very clever and like to climb trees

7. excited
Answer: (F) Feeling very enthusiastic and eager about something

8. hidden
Answer: (D) Not easy to find because it’s been placed where others can’t see it

9. joke
Answer: (L) Something said or done to cause laughter, not meant to be taken seriously

10. tired
Answer: (N) Feeling the need to rest because you have used a lot of energy

11. owl
Answer: (H) A bird of prey that is known for being wise

12. smart
Answer: (G) Having or showing a quick-witted intelligence

13. truth
Answer: (O) The actual facts or reality of a situation

14. fancy
Answer: (K) Elaborate and decorated in a very stylish and often showy way

15. experiences
Answer: (I) Things that happen to you that you live through and remember
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the magical event where the peacocks show off their colorful feathers?
Answer: (b) Peacock Parade

2. Who did Freddie meet on his way to find the Peacock Parade?
Answer: (c) Monkeys

3. What did the monkeys tell Freddie he had to find before he could see the parade?
Answer: (a) A special feather

4. How did Freddie feel when he found out the truth about the special feather?
Answer: (b) Silly

5. Who finally told Freddie that there was no secret feather?
Answer: (d) An old owl

6. What did Freddie learn about the Peacock Parade?
Answer: (a) It was about having fun together

7. How did the animals react when Freddie told them the truth about the special feather?
Answer: (c) They came to see the parade

8. What did Freddie learn about the best things in life?
Answer: (d) They are experiences you share with friends
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Freddie felt relieved for believing the monkeys, but he was disappointed to know the truth and went back to keep it to himself. (Answer: False)
2. Freddie eventually met an old owl who told him the truth – there was no secret feather and the monkeys were just joking. (Answer: True)
3. Freddie mistrusted the monkeys and stopped searching for the special feather, even though other animals were genuinely participating in the joke. (Answer: False)
4. Animals from all around came to see the Peacock Parade and everyone had a great time, teaching Freddie that the best things in life are experiences shared with friends. (Answer: True)
5. The Peacock Parade is an annual event where all the peacocks gather to show off their colorful feathers. (Answer: True)
6. The owl clarified that the Peacock Parade was about finding things, not about having fun together. (Answer: False)
7. The monkeys in the forest disliked playing tricks on others and they fooled Freddie by telling him he had to find a special feather to see the parade. (Answer: False)
8. Freddie, a young squirrel, really wanted to see the Peacock Parade because he thought the peacocks were cool. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 3 stories?

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.

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.

Max, the boy who could talk to animals, used his unique gift to save a trapped bear and teach others about kindness.

The Boy Who Could Talk to Animals

Max, a boy with the extraordinary ability to talk to animals, uses his gift to save a trapped bear and spread kindness and understanding in his village.

The Chocolate Waterfall

Tommy discovers a magical chocolate waterfall, saves the village from a chocolate monster, and becomes a hero.

A dolphin and a seagull team up to create a mesmerizing performance that wows the judges.

The Dolphin’s Dance

Flip the dolphin dreams of being the best dancer in the ocean, but he can’t jump high enough – until he teams up with his seagull friend Squawk and wows everyone at the audition.

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