Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

Short Stories for Kids

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The Rainbow Bridge

Stella the unicorn uses her magical rainbow to spread happiness and love to all creatures.

Try this story at a different level?

 

In a magical land, there was a little unicorn named Stella who lived in a green field surrounded by big mountains. Stella had a special power: she could make rainbows any time she wanted. All she had to do was jump, spin around, and colors would shoot out of her hair into the sky, making a pretty rainbow. Making rainbows made Stella happy, and everyone around her loved it too.

One day, Stella woke up to find a note stuck on her horn. It was an invite to a special competition at the end of the rainbow bridge. The prize was a bag of magic rainbow dust that could make any wish come true. Stella got really excited and ran off towards the rainbow bridge, her own rainbow following her.

But when Stella got close to the bridge, she saw a problem. A naughty troll named Grumble was blocking the way. He liked to use his bad tooth to scare people away. Stella didn’t want to give up, so she went up to him with a big smile and told him his hair looked amazing. Grumble felt so happy about the compliment that he let Stella cross the bridge without any trouble.

When Stella stepped onto the bridge, a strong wind almost blew her away. Her rainbow started to disappear, and she needed something to hold onto. Thinking fast, she turned her rainbow into a rope and caught a cloud that was floating by. Using the cloud to keep herself steady, she got safely across the bridge, and everyone who was there to watch was super impressed.

At last, Stella got to where the competition was. There were squirrels flying on shiny leaves, birds singing special songs, and even a nice dragon. All the creatures were showing off their cool talents, hoping to win the magic dust. Then it was Stella’s turn, and she made the biggest, most beautiful rainbow anyone had ever seen. Everyone was amazed and cheered for her, and Stella felt really proud.

Stella won the competition and got the magic rainbow dust. But instead of wishing for something for herself, she wished for all the creatures to always be happy and love each other. The field became a place where everyone laughed and was friends. Stella learned something important: the best thing about rainbows isn’t the colors but the happiness they give to people who see them. After that, whenever Stella made a rainbow, she did it to spread smiles and remind everyone that being kind and loving can make the world nicer for everyone.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

1magicalSomething that is not explainable by the laws of nature and seems to involve something supernatural
2competitionAn event where people try to be better than others to win a prize
3inviteA written or verbal request asking someone to go somewhere or do something
4naughtyBehaving badly or causing trouble, often in a playful way
5complimentSaying something nice about someone, often to make them feel good
6impressedFeeling admiration or respect for someone or something because it is special or excellent
7squirrelsSmall animals that are known for their bushy tails and ability to climb trees
8shinyReflecting light and looking bright and attractive
9talentsSpecial abilities or skills that people have, often something they are naturally good at
10amazedFeeling great surprise or wonder, often because something is very impressive
11proudFeeling very pleased or satisfied with oneself or something one has done
12creaturesDifferent kinds of living things, like animals or mythical beings
13laughedMaking sounds that express happiness or amusement
14kindnessBeing friendly, generous, and considerate to others
15remindTo cause someone to remember something or think about it again

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What was Stella’s special power?
2. How did Stella get invited to the special competition?
3. Why did Grumble initially block the way to the rainbow bridge?
4. How did Stella convince Grumble to let her cross the bridge?
5. What did Stella do when a strong wind almost blew her away on the bridge?
6. How did Stella impress everyone at the competition?
7. What did Stella wish for when she won the magic rainbow dust?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In a (1)______ land, there was a little unicorn (2)______ Stella who lived in a green field surrounded by big mountains. Stella had a special power: she could make (3)______ any time she wanted. All she had to do was jump, spin around, and colors would shoot out of her hair into the sky, making a pretty (4)______. Making rainbows made Stella happy, and everyone around her loved it too.

One day, Stella woke up to find a note stuck on her horn. It was an invite to a special competition at the end of the rainbow bridge. The prize was a bag of magic rainbow dust that could make any wish come true. (5)______ got really excited and ran off towards the rainbow bridge, her own rainbow following her.

But when Stella got close to the bridge, she saw a problem. A (6)______ troll named Grumble was blocking the way. He liked to use his bad tooth to scare people away. Stella didn’t want to give up, so she went up to him with a big (7)______ and told him his hair looked amazing. Grumble felt so happy about the compliment that he let Stella cross the bridge without any trouble.

When Stella stepped onto the bridge, a (8)______ wind almost blew her away. Her rainbow started to disappear, and she needed something to hold onto. Thinking fast, she turned her rainbow into a rope and (9)______ a (10)______ that was floating by. Using the cloud to keep herself steady, she got safely across the bridge, and everyone who was there to watch was super (11)______.

At last, Stella got to where the competition was. There were squirrels flying on shiny leaves, birds singing special songs, and even a nice dragon. All the creatures were showing off their cool talents, hoping to win the magic dust. Then it was Stella’s turn, and she made the biggest, most (12)______ rainbow anyone had ever seen. Everyone was amazed and cheered for her, and Stella felt really proud.

Stella won the competition and got the magic rainbow dust. But instead of wishing for something for herself, she wished for all the creatures to always be (13)______ and love each other. The field (14)______ a place where everyone laughed and was friends. Stella learned something important: the best thing about rainbows isn’t the colors but the happiness they give to (15)______ who see them. After that, whenever Stella made a rainbow, she did it to (16)______ smiles and remind everyone that being kind and loving can make the world nicer for everyone.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a rainbow? Why do you think people like them?
2. How would you feel if you had the power to make rainbows whenever you wanted? Why?
3. Do you think it was smart of Stella to compliment the naughty troll? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever had to think fast and come up with a solution to a problem? What did you do?
5. Do you think it was fair for Stella to win the competition? Why or why not?
6. How do you think the creatures felt when Stella wished for them to always be happy and love each other? Why?
7. Do you think it’s important to be kind and loving to others? Why or why not?
8. What do you think makes a place nice for everyone to be in? Why?
9. Have you ever seen a rainbow? How did it make you feel?
10. If you had the magic rainbow dust, what would you wish for? Why?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. magical
2. competition
3. invite
4. naughty
5. compliment
6. impressed
7. squirrels
8. shiny
9. talents
10. amazed
11. proud
12. creatures
13. laughed
14. kindness
15. remind

Meanings:
(A) Feeling very pleased or satisfied with oneself or something one has done
(B) Reflecting light and looking bright and attractive
(C) To cause someone to remember something or think about it again
(D) Small animals that are known for their bushy tails and ability to climb trees
(E) Something that is not explainable by the laws of nature and seems to involve something supernatural
(F) Feeling great surprise or wonder, often because something is very impressive
(G) Feeling admiration or respect for someone or something because it is special or excellent
(H) Different kinds of living things, like animals or mythical beings
(I) Saying something nice about someone, often to make them feel good
(J) A written or verbal request asking someone to go somewhere or do something
(K) Making sounds that express happiness or amusement
(L) An event where people try to be better than others to win a prize
(M) Being friendly, generous, and considerate to others
(N) Behaving badly or causing trouble, often in a playful way
(O) Special abilities or skills that people have, often something they are naturally good at
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What was special about Stella?
(a) She could make rainbows
(b) She could fly
(c) She could talk to animals
(d) She could change her color

2. What did Stella find on her horn?
(a) A note from her friend
(b) A map to a hidden treasure
(c) An invite to a competition
(d) A warning about a storm

3. Who was blocking the way to the rainbow bridge?
(a) Sparkle the fairy
(b) Sunny the unicorn
(c) Flutter the butterfly
(d) Grumble the troll

4. How did Stella convince Grumble to let her cross the bridge?
(a) She gave him a bag of treats
(b) She complimented his hair
(c) She challenged him to a race
(d) She sang him a lullaby

5. What did Stella use to keep herself steady on the bridge?
(a) A rope
(b) A cloud
(c) A tree branch
(d) A magic wand

6. What did Stella wish for when she won the competition?
(a) For a lifetime supply of rainbow dust
(b) For the ability to fly
(c) For all the creatures to be happy and love each other
(d) For a new rainbow bridge

7. What did Stella learn from the competition?
(a) The best thing about rainbows is the happiness they bring
(b) The best thing about rainbows is the colors
(c) The best thing about rainbows is the magic dust
(d) The best thing about rainbows is winning competitions

8. Why did Stella continue to make rainbows after winning the competition?
(a) To show off her talent
(b) To win more competitions
(c) To make herself happy
(d) To spread smiles and remind everyone to be kind and loving

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Stella lost the competition and used her wish to make all the creatures in the field sad and hateful towards each other.
2. Stella, the little unicorn, had the magical ability to create rainbows whenever she wanted.
3. Stella managed to convince Grumble to let her pass by insulting his hair.
4. Stella received an invitation to a regular competition at the beginning of the rainbow bridge.
5. The prize for the competition was a jar of regular dust that had no magical powers.
6. At the competition, Stella wowed everyone with the biggest and most beautiful rainbow she had ever made.
7. Stella encountered a troll named Grumble who tried to block her path to the rainbow bridge.
8. As Stella crossed the bridge, a strong wind threatened to blow her away, but she used her rainbow to catch a passing cloud and stay steady.
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 Stella’s special power?
Stella’s special power was being able to make rainbows.

2. How did Stella get invited to the special competition?
Stella received an invite to the special competition by finding a note stuck on her horn.

3. Why did Grumble initially block the way to the rainbow bridge?
Grumble blocked the way to the rainbow bridge because he was a naughty troll who liked to scare people away.

4. How did Stella convince Grumble to let her cross the bridge?
Stella convinced Grumble to let her cross the bridge by complimenting his hair and making him feel happy.

5. What did Stella do when a strong wind almost blew her away on the bridge?
When a strong wind almost blew Stella away on the bridge, she turned her rainbow into a rope and caught a passing cloud to hold onto.

6. How did Stella impress everyone at the competition?
Stella impressed everyone at the competition by creating the biggest and most beautiful rainbow they had ever seen.

7. What did Stella wish for when she won the magic rainbow dust?
When she won the magic rainbow dust, Stella wished for all the creatures to always be happy and love each other.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) magical
(2) named
(3) rainbows
(4) rainbow
(5) Stella
(6) naughty
(7) smile
(8) strong
(9) caught
(10) cloud
(11) impressed
(12) beautiful
(13) happy
(14) became
(15) people
(16) spread
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. magical
Answer: (E) Something that is not explainable by the laws of nature and seems to involve something supernatural

2. competition
Answer: (L) An event where people try to be better than others to win a prize

3. invite
Answer: (J) A written or verbal request asking someone to go somewhere or do something

4. naughty
Answer: (N) Behaving badly or causing trouble, often in a playful way

5. compliment
Answer: (I) Saying something nice about someone, often to make them feel good

6. impressed
Answer: (G) Feeling admiration or respect for someone or something because it is special or excellent

7. squirrels
Answer: (D) Small animals that are known for their bushy tails and ability to climb trees

8. shiny
Answer: (B) Reflecting light and looking bright and attractive

9. talents
Answer: (O) Special abilities or skills that people have, often something they are naturally good at

10. amazed
Answer: (F) Feeling great surprise or wonder, often because something is very impressive

11. proud
Answer: (A) Feeling very pleased or satisfied with oneself or something one has done

12. creatures
Answer: (H) Different kinds of living things, like animals or mythical beings

13. laughed
Answer: (K) Making sounds that express happiness or amusement

14. kindness
Answer: (M) Being friendly, generous, and considerate to others

15. remind
Answer: (C) To cause someone to remember something or think about it again
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What was special about Stella?
Answer: (a) She could make rainbows

2. What did Stella find on her horn?
Answer: (c) An invite to a competition

3. Who was blocking the way to the rainbow bridge?
Answer: (d) Grumble the troll

4. How did Stella convince Grumble to let her cross the bridge?
Answer: (b) She complimented his hair

5. What did Stella use to keep herself steady on the bridge?
Answer: (b) A cloud

6. What did Stella wish for when she won the competition?
Answer: (c) For all the creatures to be happy and love each other

7. What did Stella learn from the competition?
Answer: (a) The best thing about rainbows is the happiness they bring

8. Why did Stella continue to make rainbows after winning the competition?
Answer: (d) To spread smiles and remind everyone to be kind and loving
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Stella lost the competition and used her wish to make all the creatures in the field sad and hateful towards each other. (Answer: False)
2. Stella, the little unicorn, had the magical ability to create rainbows whenever she wanted. (Answer: True)
3. Stella managed to convince Grumble to let her pass by insulting his hair. (Answer: False)
4. Stella received an invitation to a regular competition at the beginning of the rainbow bridge. (Answer: False)
5. The prize for the competition was a jar of regular dust that had no magical powers. (Answer: False)
6. At the competition, Stella wowed everyone with the biggest and most beautiful rainbow she had ever made. (Answer: True)
7. Stella encountered a troll named Grumble who tried to block her path to the rainbow bridge. (Answer: True)
8. As Stella crossed the bridge, a strong wind threatened to blow her away, but she used her rainbow to catch a passing cloud and stay steady. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 3 stories?

In the magical land of Sprinkleville, a mischievous gnome named Minty Mischief plots to steal all the cupcakes from the famous cupcake castle, but a young girl named Ella is determined to stop him and save the town from chaos.

The Cupcake Castle Caper

A mischievous gnome named Minty steals cupcakes, but a girl named Ella catches him and teaches him a lesson about honesty.

In a small village nestled deep in a magical forest, a little girl named Lily discovers a talking teapot with the power to grant wishes.

The Talking Teapot

A brave girl named Lily finds a talking teapot that grants good wishes, but a mean witch tries to steal it.

A sleepy snowman named Frosty embarks on a quest to find his missing carrot nose.

The Sleepy Snowman

Frosty, the sleepy snowman, embarks on an adventure to find his lost carrot nose and discovers the importance of friendship and staying positive.

A group of adventurous children discover a hidden cave filled with riddles and magical trials.

The Enigma of Echo Cave

Emma, Ben, and Lucy find a secret cave with a tricky creature inside, but their friendship helps them solve the riddles and escape.

A small village is transformed by a baker's magical pies, teaching the importance of sharing.

The Peculiar Purple Pie

Mr. Higgins accidentally makes a magical pie that turns people into floating, singing, rhyming, and funny beings, bringing joy to the village, but greed threatens their happiness until they learn the importance of sharing.

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