Long ago, there was a special swan named Saffron. He had bright orange feathers that shone in the sun, making him the prettiest bird around. When Saffron flew, his feathers would glisten, and everyone who saw him would fall in love. One day, he saw a boy named Milo running after his lost kite.

Saffron flew down, grabbed the kite with his beak, and brought it to Milo. When Milo got his kite back, he was so happy and said, “Wow, thank you, Saffron! You’re amazing!” Saffron was pleased and nodded. Soon, Milo and Saffron began to have lots of fun adventures together. They became best friends.

However, an evil magician named Malachi found out about Saffron’s beautiful feathers. Jealous, Malachi kidnapped Saffron and locked him away in a hidden tower. Milo decided he had to rescue his friend. He bravely faced talking animals, tricky puzzles, and lots of difficult challenges, keeping hope in his heart.

After a long and dangerous trip, Milo got to the tower where Saffron was trapped. Suddenly, a storm started, and lightning hit the tower. The lightning gave Saffron’s feathers even more magic, and he burst through the walls to escape.

Together, Milo and Saffron fought and beat Malachi. They showed that friendship and being nice are stronger than being jealous and mean. Saffron could have used his magic feathers for himself, but he chose to help others instead.

From then on, Saffron was a symbol of joy and hope. He used his magic to cure sick people, cheer up those who were sad, and make wishes come true. When Saffron was in the sky, people looked up, smiled, and felt happiness inside. The stories of Milo and Saffron’s bravery and friendship became famous, teaching everyone that the real magic is in love and kindness.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Who is the main character in the story?
2. What made Saffron the prettiest bird around?
3. How did Saffron help Milo?
4. Why did the evil magician kidnap Saffron?
5. What challenges did Milo face on his journey to rescue Saffron?
6. How did Saffron escape from the tower?
7. What did Saffron use his magic feathers for after defeating Malachi?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Long ago, there was a special swan (1)______ (2)______. He had bright orange (3)______ that shone in the sun, making him the prettiest bird around. When Saffron flew, his feathers would (4)______, and everyone who saw him would fall in love. One day, he saw a boy named Milo running after his lost kite.

Saffron flew down, grabbed the kite with his beak, and brought it to Milo. When Milo got his kite back, he was so happy and said, “Wow, thank you, Saffron! You’re amazing!” Saffron was pleased and nodded. Soon, Milo and Saffron (5)______ to have lots of fun (6)______ together. They became best friends.

However, an evil magician named (7)______ found out about Saffron’s beautiful feathers. Jealous, Malachi kidnapped Saffron and (8)______ him away in a hidden tower. Milo decided he had to rescue his friend. He bravely faced talking animals, tricky puzzles, and lots of difficult challenges, keeping hope in his heart.

After a long and (9)______ trip, Milo got to the tower where Saffron was trapped. Suddenly, a (10)______ started, and lightning hit the tower. The lightning gave Saffron’s feathers even more magic, and he burst through the walls to escape.

Together, Milo and Saffron (11)______ and beat Malachi. They showed that (12)______ and being nice are stronger than being jealous and mean. Saffron could have used his magic feathers for himself, but he chose to help (13)______ instead.

From then on, Saffron was a symbol of joy and hope. He used his magic to cure sick people, (14)______ up those who were sad, and make wishes come true. When Saffron was in the sky, people looked up, (15)______, and felt happiness inside. The stories of Milo and Saffron’s bravery and friendship became famous, (16)______ everyone that the real magic is in love and kindness.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a special swan?
2. How would you feel if you saw a bird with bright orange feathers?
3. Do you like flying kites? Why or why not?
4. What do you think it means to be a best friend?
5. How would you feel if someone kidnapped your friend? Why?
6. Do you believe in magic? Why or why not?
7. What would you do if you had magic feathers?
8. How do you think Milo felt when he finally rescued Saffron?
9. Do you think it’s important to be kind to others? Why or why not?
10. What is the message of the story?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. special
2. glisten
3. adventures
4. jealous
5. kidnapped
6. puzzles
7. challenges
8. hope
9. lightning
10. burst
11. fought
12. symbol
13. cure
14. bravery
15. kindness

Meanings:
(A) To struggle against someone in a fight
(B) To make someone healthy again after they’ve been sick
(C) Taken away by force
(D) To break open or apart suddenly and with force
(E) Courageous behavior or character
(F) Difficult tasks or situations that test your abilities
(G) A bright flash of light in the sky during a storm
(H) An object or figure that represents an idea or quality
(I) Feeling unhappy because someone has something that you wish you had
(J) Unique or not ordinary
(K) Games or problems that test your brain and require you to think hard to solve them
(L) The quality of being friendly and considerate toward others
(M) To shine with a soft, shimmering light
(N) Exciting experiences or journeys
(O) The feeling that something good will happen or that something you want to happen is likely to happen
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What made Saffron the prettiest bird around?
(a) His ability to fly faster than any other bird
(b) His special ability to talk to humans
(c) His bright orange feathers that shone in the sun
(d) His talent for singing beautiful songs

2. How did Saffron help Milo?
(a) By teaching Milo how to fly like a bird
(b) By grabbing Milo’s lost kite and bringing it back to him
(c) By showing Milo a secret hiding place
(d) By giving Milo a magic feather to make his wishes come true

3. Why did the evil magician, Malachi, kidnap Saffron?
(a) Because Saffron had stolen something from him
(b) Because Saffron had a secret treasure hidden away
(c) Because Malachi wanted to be friends with Saffron
(d) Because he was jealous of Saffron’s beautiful feathers

4. How did Milo feel when he finally reached the tower where Saffron was trapped?
(a) Scared and worried
(b) Angry and frustrated
(c) Sad and defeated
(d) Hopeful and determined

5. What happened to Saffron’s feathers when lightning struck the tower?
(a) They turned gray and dull
(b) They became even more magical
(c) They disappeared completely
(d) They started to grow longer and thicker

6. How did Milo and Saffron defeat Malachi?
(a) By using Saffron’s magic feathers to cast a spell on Malachi
(b) By tricking Malachi into a trap and locking him away
(c) By working together and using their friendship as their strength
(d) By calling for help from other talking animals

7. What did Saffron do with his magic after defeating Malachi?
(a) He used it to help and bring happiness to others
(b) He kept it all to himself and became selfish
(c) He used it to become the most powerful bird in the world
(d) He gave it up and became a regular swan again

8. What did people feel when they saw Saffron in the sky?
(a) Happiness and joy
(b) Fear and confusion
(c) Sadness and loneliness
(d) Anger and frustration

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Milo and Saffron are defeated by Malachi, proving that friendship and kindness are less powerful than jealousy and cruelty.
2. Saffron hinders a boy named Milo by stealing his lost kite.
3. An evil magician named Malachi kidnaps Saffron out of jealousy.
4. Saffron’s feathers appear dull in the sun, failing to captivate anyone who sees him.
5. Milo and Saffron become acquaintances and never go on any adventures together.
6. Lightning strikes the tower where Saffron is held captive, giving him even more magical powers.
7. Saffron is a swan with bright orange feathers that make him stand out.
8. Milo faces various challenges and overcomes them to rescue Saffron.
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?
The main character in the story is Saffron, the special swan.

2. What made Saffron the prettiest bird around?
Saffron had bright orange feathers that shone in the sun, making him the prettiest bird around.

3. How did Saffron help Milo?
Saffron helped Milo by grabbing his lost kite with his beak and bringing it back to him.

4. Why did the evil magician kidnap Saffron?
The evil magician, Malachi, kidnapped Saffron because he was jealous of Saffron’s beautiful feathers.

5. What challenges did Milo face on his journey to rescue Saffron?
Milo faced talking animals, tricky puzzles, and lots of difficult challenges on his journey to rescue Saffron.

6. How did Saffron escape from the tower?
Saffron escaped from the tower when lightning hit it during a storm, giving his feathers even more magic and allowing him to burst through the walls.

7. What did Saffron use his magic feathers for after defeating Malachi?
After defeating Malachi, Saffron used his magic feathers to cure sick people, cheer up those who were sad, and make wishes come true.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) named
(2) Saffron
(3) feathers
(4) glisten
(5) began
(6) adventures
(7) Malachi
(8) locked
(9) dangerous
(10) storm
(11) fought
(12) friendship
(13) others
(14) cheer
(15) smiled
(16) teaching
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. special
Answer: (J) Unique or not ordinary

2. glisten
Answer: (M) To shine with a soft, shimmering light

3. adventures
Answer: (N) Exciting experiences or journeys

4. jealous
Answer: (I) Feeling unhappy because someone has something that you wish you had

5. kidnapped
Answer: (C) Taken away by force

6. puzzles
Answer: (K) Games or problems that test your brain and require you to think hard to solve them

7. challenges
Answer: (F) Difficult tasks or situations that test your abilities

8. hope
Answer: (O) The feeling that something good will happen or that something you want to happen is likely to happen

9. lightning
Answer: (G) A bright flash of light in the sky during a storm

10. burst
Answer: (D) To break open or apart suddenly and with force

11. fought
Answer: (A) To struggle against someone in a fight

12. symbol
Answer: (H) An object or figure that represents an idea or quality

13. cure
Answer: (B) To make someone healthy again after they’ve been sick

14. bravery
Answer: (E) Courageous behavior or character

15. kindness
Answer: (L) The quality of being friendly and considerate toward others
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What made Saffron the prettiest bird around?
Answer: (c) His bright orange feathers that shone in the sun

2. How did Saffron help Milo?
Answer: (b) By grabbing Milo’s lost kite and bringing it back to him

3. Why did the evil magician, Malachi, kidnap Saffron?
Answer: (d) Because he was jealous of Saffron’s beautiful feathers

4. How did Milo feel when he finally reached the tower where Saffron was trapped?
Answer: (d) Hopeful and determined

5. What happened to Saffron’s feathers when lightning struck the tower?
Answer: (b) They became even more magical

6. How did Milo and Saffron defeat Malachi?
Answer: (c) By working together and using their friendship as their strength

7. What did Saffron do with his magic after defeating Malachi?
Answer: (a) He used it to help and bring happiness to others

8. What did people feel when they saw Saffron in the sky?
Answer: (a) Happiness and joy
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Milo and Saffron are defeated by Malachi, proving that friendship and kindness are less powerful than jealousy and cruelty. (Answer: False)
2. Saffron hinders a boy named Milo by stealing his lost kite. (Answer: False)
3. An evil magician named Malachi kidnaps Saffron out of jealousy. (Answer: True)
4. Saffron’s feathers appear dull in the sun, failing to captivate anyone who sees him. (Answer: False)
5. Milo and Saffron become acquaintances and never go on any adventures together. (Answer: False)
6. Lightning strikes the tower where Saffron is held captive, giving him even more magical powers. (Answer: True)
7. Saffron is a swan with bright orange feathers that make him stand out. (Answer: True)
8. Milo faces various challenges and overcomes them to rescue Saffron. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧