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 Peculiar Peach Palace

Three friends stumble upon a magical peach palace filled with talking animals and enchanted treasures, unlocking their own creativity and joy.

Try this story at a different level?

 

In a land far, far away, there was a strange peach-colored castle. This wasn’t your usual castle because it was filled with magic and unexpected surprises. One morning, three friends named Max, Sam, and Mia came across this castle while they were exploring a forest. They got really excited, pushed the big doors open, and entered a place that was full of magic and fun.

Inside, they met animals that could talk and were dressed in amazing clothes and fairies that made everyone laugh. They found out this magical place could turn regular fruits into something awesome. There were strawberries that hugged you when you picked them, pineapples that could dance and tell jokes, and bananas that made you laugh uncontrollably after eating them. The kids laughed a lot as they tried these magical fruits.

But there was one room they couldn’t enter because it was locked. They really wanted to know what was inside, so they spent hours looking for the key and asking everyone in the castle for hints. Finally, they found a riddle on the wall: “In the realm of dreams, where fantasies come true, lay the key to the secret, wait for the morning dew.” They decided to spend the night in the castle and solve this mystery.

When they woke up the next morning, they saw a spider hanging from a web covered in morning dew near the locked room. They opened the room and were amazed by what they saw. The room was filled with paintings of faraway places, books of poems, and musical instruments. It was a room for making art and getting inspired. The friends understood that the castle wanted to remind them that they had their own magic inside – the ability to create and make others happy.

They spent the rest of their day in the castle, having fun with the fairies, painting, and even learning to play guitar from a wise turtle. When it was time to go home, they said goodbye to their new friends and promised to come back. After this adventure, Max, Sam, and Mia felt different. They learned that everything could be magical if you believe in it, just like the strange peach castle had taught them.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

1castleA large building, often from the medieval period, that could be home to royalty or nobility
2exploringGoing around an area to discover what’s there
3magicalFilled with enchantment or supernatural elements
4fairiesSmall, mythical beings with magical powers, often depicted with wings
5strawberriesRed, juicy fruits that are sweet and can be eaten fresh
6pineapplesTropical fruits with a rough, spiky exterior and sweet, juicy interior
7bananasLong, curved fruits with a soft, edible part inside and a yellow peel
8riddleA puzzling question or problem that requires thought to solve
9realmA kingdom or domain, often used to describe a specific field or area of interest
10dewTiny drops of water that form on cool surfaces at night or early morning
11paintingsArtworks created using paint applied on a surface, such as canvas
12poemsLiterary works that express feelings and ideas in a distinctive style and rhythm
13instrumentsTools or devices used to produce musical sounds
14inspiredFilled with the urge or ability to do something creative
15adventureAn exciting and daring journey or experience

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Who were the three friends that found the peach-colored castle?
2. What made the castle different from other castles?
3. What kind of animals did the friends meet inside the castle?
4. What could the magical fruits in the castle do?
5. Why couldn’t the friends enter one of the rooms in the castle?
6. How did the friends solve the mystery of the locked room?
7. What did the friends learn from their adventure in the castle?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In a land far, far away, there was a strange peach-colored (1)______. This wasn’t your usual castle because it was filled with magic and unexpected surprises. One morning, three friends named Max, Sam, and Mia came across this castle while they were exploring a forest. They got really excited, pushed the big (2)______ open, and entered a place that was full of magic and fun.

Inside, they met animals that could talk and were (3)______ in amazing clothes and fairies that made everyone laugh. They (4)______ out this magical place could turn regular fruits into something awesome. There were (5)______ that (6)______ you when you picked them, pineapples that could dance and tell jokes, and bananas that made you laugh uncontrollably after eating them. The kids laughed a lot as they tried these magical fruits.

But there was one room they couldn’t enter because it was locked. They really wanted to know what was inside, so they spent hours (7)______ for the key and asking everyone in the castle for hints. Finally, they found a (8)______ on the wall: “In the realm of dreams, where fantasies come true, lay the key to the secret, wait for the morning dew.” They decided to (9)______ the night in the castle and solve this mystery.

When they woke up the next morning, they saw a spider hanging from a web covered in morning dew near the locked room. They opened the room and were amazed by what they saw. The room was filled with paintings of faraway places, books of poems, and (10)______ instruments. It was a room for making art and getting (11)______. The friends (12)______ that the castle wanted to remind them that they had their own magic inside – the ability to create and make others happy.

They spent the rest of their day in the castle, having fun with the fairies, painting, and even learning to play guitar from a wise (13)______. When it was time to go home, they said goodbye to their new friends and (14)______ to come back. After this adventure, Max, Sam, and Mia felt (15)______. They learned that everything could be magical if you believe in it, just like the strange peach castle had (16)______ them.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your favorite magical story or fairytale? Why do you like it?
2. How would you feel if you found a castle filled with magic and surprises in a forest? Why?
3. Do you believe in magic? Why or why not?
4. What kind of magical fruit would you like to try? Why?
5. How do you think the friends felt when they couldn’t enter the locked room? Why?
6. Have you ever solved a mystery or riddle? How did it make you feel?
7. What do you think the friends learned from their adventure in the castle? Why do you think so?
8. Do you think it’s important to have a place where you can create and get inspired, like the art room in the castle? Why or why not?
9. How do you think the friends’ lives changed after their adventure in the castle? Why?
10. If you could create your own magical place, what would it be like? Why?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. castle
2. exploring
3. magical
4. fairies
5. strawberries
6. pineapples
7. bananas
8. riddle
9. realm
10. dew
11. paintings
12. poems
13. instruments
14. inspired
15. adventure

Meanings:
(A) Tools or devices used to produce musical sounds
(B) Filled with enchantment or supernatural elements
(C) Tiny drops of water that form on cool surfaces at night or early morning
(D) A large building, often from the medieval period, that could be home to royalty or nobility
(E) Long, curved fruits with a soft, edible part inside and a yellow peel
(F) Artworks created using paint applied on a surface, such as canvas
(G) A puzzling question or problem that requires thought to solve
(H) Red, juicy fruits that are sweet and can be eaten fresh
(I) Literary works that express feelings and ideas in a distinctive style and rhythm
(J) A kingdom or domain, often used to describe a specific field or area of interest
(K) An exciting and daring journey or experience
(L) Going around an area to discover what’s there
(M) Tropical fruits with a rough, spiky exterior and sweet, juicy interior
(N) Small, mythical beings with magical powers, often depicted with wings
(O) Filled with the urge or ability to do something creative
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What color was the castle the friends found?
(a) Peach
(b) Blue
(c) Green
(d) Yellow

2. What were the names of the three friends?
(a) Jack, Lily, and Ben
(b) Max, Sam, and Mia
(c) Emma, Ethan, and Olivia
(d) Luke, Ava, and Noah

3. What could the magical strawberries do?
(a) Sing songs
(b) Fly in the air
(c) Turn into diamonds
(d) Hug you

4. What did the friends find on the wall that gave them a clue to the locked room?
(a) A map
(b) A secret code
(c) A riddle
(d) A treasure chest

5. How did the friends solve the mystery of the locked room?
(a) They waited for the morning dew and found the key near a spider’s web
(b) They found the key hidden in a book
(c) They asked a fairy for the key
(d) They broke the lock with a hammer

6. What did the friends find inside the locked room?
(a) Toys and games
(b) Paintings, books, and musical instruments
(c) Jewelry and treasure
(d) Food and drinks

7. What did the friends learn from their adventure in the castle?
(a) Magic is not real
(b) Castles are scary places
(c) Friends are not important
(d) Everything can be magical if you believe in it

8. How did the friends feel after their adventure in the castle?
(a) Scared and confused
(b) Bored and tired
(c) Different and inspired
(d) Angry and disappointed

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The magical place has the power to transform ordinary fruits into extraordinary ones, such as strawberries that give hugs and bananas that induce uncontrollable laughter.
2. The acquaintances depart the castle with a renewed realization that not everything is magical even if they believe in it, owing to the lessons taught by the usual peach castle.
3. The friends become determined to unlock a mysterious room in the castle and spend the night searching for clues.
4. The castle in the story is not like a regular castle because it is filled with magic and surprises.
5. Within the castle, they come across silent animals and fairies that bring solemnity and somberness.
6. They solve a puzzle that guides them to locate the key in a spider’s web covered in morning dew.
7. Inside the locked room, they find a treasure trove of art supplies, books, and musical instruments, inspiring them to tap into their own creativity.
8. Max, Sam, and Mia are three strangers who wander into the ordinary castle while wandering a forest.
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 were the three friends that found the peach-colored castle?
Max, Sam, and Mia.

2. What made the castle different from other castles?
It was filled with magic and unexpected surprises.

3. What kind of animals did the friends meet inside the castle?
Animals that could talk and were dressed in amazing clothes.

4. What could the magical fruits in the castle do?
The strawberries could hug you, the pineapples could dance and tell jokes, and the bananas made you laugh uncontrollably.

5. Why couldn’t the friends enter one of the rooms in the castle?
It was locked.

6. How did the friends solve the mystery of the locked room?
They found a riddle that gave them a clue about finding the key in the realm of dreams. The next morning, they saw a spider hanging from a web covered in morning dew, which led them to the key.

7. What did the friends learn from their adventure in the castle?
They learned that everything could be magical if you believe in it, and that they had their own magic inside – the ability to create and make others happy.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) castle
(2) doors
(3) dressed
(4) found
(5) strawberries
(6) hugged
(7) looking
(8) riddle
(9) spend
(10) musical
(11) inspired
(12) understood
(13) turtle
(14) promised
(15) different
(16) taught
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. castle
Answer: (D) A large building, often from the medieval period, that could be home to royalty or nobility

2. exploring
Answer: (L) Going around an area to discover what’s there

3. magical
Answer: (B) Filled with enchantment or supernatural elements

4. fairies
Answer: (N) Small, mythical beings with magical powers, often depicted with wings

5. strawberries
Answer: (H) Red, juicy fruits that are sweet and can be eaten fresh

6. pineapples
Answer: (M) Tropical fruits with a rough, spiky exterior and sweet, juicy interior

7. bananas
Answer: (E) Long, curved fruits with a soft, edible part inside and a yellow peel

8. riddle
Answer: (G) A puzzling question or problem that requires thought to solve

9. realm
Answer: (J) A kingdom or domain, often used to describe a specific field or area of interest

10. dew
Answer: (C) Tiny drops of water that form on cool surfaces at night or early morning

11. paintings
Answer: (F) Artworks created using paint applied on a surface, such as canvas

12. poems
Answer: (I) Literary works that express feelings and ideas in a distinctive style and rhythm

13. instruments
Answer: (A) Tools or devices used to produce musical sounds

14. inspired
Answer: (O) Filled with the urge or ability to do something creative

15. adventure
Answer: (K) An exciting and daring journey or experience
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What color was the castle the friends found?
Answer: (a) Peach

2. What were the names of the three friends?
Answer: (b) Max, Sam, and Mia

3. What could the magical strawberries do?
Answer: (d) Hug you

4. What did the friends find on the wall that gave them a clue to the locked room?
Answer: (c) A riddle

5. How did the friends solve the mystery of the locked room?
Answer: (a) They waited for the morning dew and found the key near a spider’s web

6. What did the friends find inside the locked room?
Answer: (b) Paintings, books, and musical instruments

7. What did the friends learn from their adventure in the castle?
Answer: (d) Everything can be magical if you believe in it

8. How did the friends feel after their adventure in the castle?
Answer: (c) Different and inspired
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The magical place has the power to transform ordinary fruits into extraordinary ones, such as strawberries that give hugs and bananas that induce uncontrollable laughter. (Answer: True)
2. The acquaintances depart the castle with a renewed realization that not everything is magical even if they believe in it, owing to the lessons taught by the usual peach castle. (Answer: False)
3. The friends become determined to unlock a mysterious room in the castle and spend the night searching for clues. (Answer: True)
4. The castle in the story is not like a regular castle because it is filled with magic and surprises. (Answer: True)
5. Within the castle, they come across silent animals and fairies that bring solemnity and somberness. (Answer: False)
6. They solve a puzzle that guides them to locate the key in a spider’s web covered in morning dew. (Answer: False)
7. Inside the locked room, they find a treasure trove of art supplies, books, and musical instruments, inspiring them to tap into their own creativity. (Answer: True)
8. Max, Sam, and Mia are three strangers who wander into the ordinary castle while wandering a forest. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 3 stories?

A dragon and a squirrel team up to find an enchanted treasure, but the squirrel has a secret plan.

The Dragon’s Dream

Dillon the dragon, with his special dreaming talent, embarks on a quest for a magical treasure with his new friend Daisy.

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.

Silly Sally's interactive circus cake, complete with a mischievous kitten, wins The Great Cake Contest.

The Great Cake Contest

In Sweetopia, bakers compete in The Great Cake Contest, and Silly Sally’s playful circus cake wins because of a brave kitty named Sprinkles.

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.