Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

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Short Stories for Kids

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The Secret of the Old Clock Tower

A brave girl named Lucy discovers a hidden treasure in the old clock tower, inspiring her town to come together and help those in need.
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In a place called Rivertown, there was an ancient clock tower that everyone thought was really cool. People said there was a secret hidden inside it. They would talk about possible treasures, ghosts, and even hidden doorways, but no one was brave enough to go inside and check.

One day, a girl named Lucy, who was very brave, decided she was going to find out the truth about the clock tower. She took her trusty flashlight and her dog, Rufus, and climbed up the steps to the top. She was super excited and a little bit scared when she got to the room with the clock, where everything was quiet and creepy.

Lucy found a secret spot behind one of the big parts of the clock. In that spot, she found an old map that showed a special place by the river with a big red X on it. She wanted to see what the X was about, so she went there, with Rufus following along, his tail wagging.

When Lucy dug at the place with the red X, she found a hidden entrance that led her to a cave full of treasure – gold coins and shiny jewels. She learned that the treasure was left by pirates a long, long time ago. The pirates used to steal from rich people and give to the poor.

Lucy decided the treasure should be used for something good. She set up a fund to help people in Rivertown who didn’t have very much. When people heard about the treasure and what Lucy was doing with it, they all wanted to help, too. The old clock tower, which used to be just a strange place, became a sign of hope and kindness in the town. Lucy’s choice to share the treasure brought everyone in Rivertown together and showed them that doing nice things for others is the best kind of treasure.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

1ancientVery old
2clock towerA tall building with a clock on it
3treasuresValuable objects or possessions
4ghostsSpirits or souls of dead people
5hiddenNot easily seen or noticed
6flashlightA small, portable light source
7trustyReliable and dependable
8creepyStrange and scary
9mapA drawing that shows the location of places
10specialUnique or different from others
11entranceA way to get into a place
12piratesPeople who steal from others at sea
13shinyReflecting light brightly
14fundMoney set aside for a specific purpose
15kindnessShowing compassion and understanding towards others

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What did people in Rivertown think about the ancient clock tower?
2. Who was brave enough to explore the clock tower?
3. What did Lucy find behind one of the big parts of the clock?
4. What did the old map that Lucy found show?
5. What did Lucy discover when she dug at the place with the red X?
6. What did Lucy decide to do with the treasure she found?
7. How did Lucy’s actions with the treasure affect the people in Rivertown?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In a place called Rivertown, there was an ancient clock tower that everyone thought was really cool. People said there was a (1)______ hidden inside it. They would talk about possible (2)______, (3)______, and even hidden doorways, but no one was brave enough to go inside and check.

One day, a girl named Lucy, who was very brave, decided she was going to find out the truth about the clock tower. She took her (4)______ flashlight and her dog, Rufus, and climbed up the steps to the top. She was super excited and a (5)______ bit scared when she got to the room with the (6)______, where everything was quiet and (7)______.

Lucy found a secret spot behind one of the big parts of the clock. In that spot, she found an old map that showed a (8)______ place by the river with a big red X on it. She wanted to see what the X was about, so she went there, with Rufus (9)______ along, his tail wagging.

When Lucy dug at the place with the red X, she (10)______ a hidden entrance that led her to a cave full of treasure – gold coins and shiny jewels. She learned that the treasure was left by (11)______ a long, long time ago. The pirates used to (12)______ from rich people and give to the poor.

Lucy decided the treasure should be used for something good. She set up a fund to help people in Rivertown who didn’t have very much. When people heard about the treasure and what Lucy was doing with it, they all wanted to help, too. The old clock tower, which used to be just a strange place, (13)______ a sign of hope and (14)______ in the town. Lucy’s choice to share the treasure (15)______ everyone in Rivertown together and (16)______ them that doing nice things for others is the best kind of treasure.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a treasure and why do people think it’s valuable?
2. How would you feel if you found a secret map like Lucy did? Why?
3. Do you think it was brave of Lucy to explore the clock tower? Why or why not?
4. What would you do if you found a cave full of treasure like Lucy did? Why?
5. How do you think the people in Rivertown felt when they heard about the treasure? Why?
6. Do you think it was a good idea for Lucy to use the treasure to help others? Why or why not?
7. What are some ways you can help people who don’t have very much? Why is it important to help others?
8. How do you think the people in Rivertown felt when the old clock tower became a sign of hope and kindness? Why?
9. Have you ever found something special or valuable? What did you do with it? Why?
10. Do you think doing nice things for others is important? Why or why not?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. ancient
2. clock tower
3. treasures
4. ghosts
5. hidden
6. flashlight
7. trusty
8. creepy
9. map
10. special
11. entrance
12. pirates
13. shiny
14. fund
15. kindness

Meanings:
(A) Money set aside for a specific purpose
(B) Unique or different from others
(C) Not easily seen or noticed
(D) Reflecting light brightly
(E) Valuable objects or possessions
(F) A way to get into a place
(G) A drawing that shows the location of places
(H) Very old
(I) Showing compassion and understanding towards others
(J) Reliable and dependable
(K) Strange and scary
(L) People who steal from others at sea
(M) Spirits or souls of dead people
(N) A small, portable light source
(O) A tall building with a clock on it
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What did people in Rivertown think was hidden inside the clock tower?
(a) Ancient artifacts and secret codes
(b) Treasures, ghosts, and hidden doorways
(c) Hidden passageways and secret rooms
(d) Stolen paintings and valuable antiques

2. What did Lucy find behind one of the big parts of the clock?
(a) An old map with a red X
(b) A secret message written by the pirates
(c) A hidden door leading to another world
(d) A trap set by the ghosts of the clock tower

3. Where did Lucy go after finding the map?
(a) To the local library to research the clock tower
(b) To her friend’s house to share the exciting news
(c) To the town square to announce her discovery
(d) To a special place by the river with a red X

4. What did Lucy find when she dug at the place with the red X?
(a) A secret passage leading to an underground lair
(b) A hidden entrance to a cave full of treasure
(c) A locked chest containing ancient artifacts
(d) A secret message from the pirates explaining their treasure

5. Who left the treasure in the cave?
(a) Ancient kings and queens who wanted to hide their riches
(b) Ghosts of the clock tower who wanted to test Lucy’s bravery
(c) Pirates who stole from the rich and gave to the poor
(d) A secret society of treasure hunters who wanted to challenge Lucy

6. What did Lucy decide to do with the treasure?
(a) Keep it all for herself and become the richest person in town
(b) Donate it to a museum to preserve the town’s history
(c) Set up a fund to help people in Rivertown who didn’t have much
(d) Sell it and use the money to travel the world

7. How did the people in Rivertown react when they heard about the treasure and Lucy’s plan?
(a) They all wanted to help and support Lucy’s fund
(b) They became jealous and tried to find their own treasure
(c) They didn’t believe Lucy and thought it was a prank
(d) They were angry that Lucy didn’t share the treasure equally

8. What did the clock tower symbolize for the people in Rivertown after Lucy’s discovery?
(a) Fear and mystery of the unknown
(b) Greed and desire for wealth
(c) Secrets and hidden treasures waiting to be found
(d) Hope and kindness in the town

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Lucy, a scared girl, decided to ignore the truth about the clock tower.
2. Lucy discovered a secret spot behind the clock and found an old map with a blue X marking a regular place by the river.
3. People speculated about the clock tower, believing it held a hidden secret.
4. The treasure consisted of gold coins and shiny jewels, and Lucy decided to use it for a good cause.
5. In Rivertown, there was a modern clock tower that no one paid attention to.
6. Lucy’s decision to share the treasure and help those in need brought the people of Rivertown together, transforming the clock tower into a symbol of hope and kindness.
7. Digging at the marked spot, Lucy uncovered a hidden entrance leading to a cave filled with treasure left by pirates long ago.
8. Lucy climbed to the bottom of the tower without her flashlight and her dog Rufus.
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 did people in Rivertown think about the ancient clock tower?
People in Rivertown thought the ancient clock tower was really cool and believed there was a secret hidden inside it.

2. Who was brave enough to explore the clock tower?
Lucy, a brave girl, was the only one who was brave enough to explore the clock tower.

3. What did Lucy find behind one of the big parts of the clock?
Lucy found an old map behind one of the big parts of the clock.

4. What did the old map that Lucy found show?
The old map that Lucy found showed a special place by the river with a big red X on it.

5. What did Lucy discover when she dug at the place with the red X?
When Lucy dug at the place with the red X, she discovered a hidden entrance that led her to a cave full of treasure – gold coins and shiny jewels.

6. What did Lucy decide to do with the treasure she found?
Lucy decided to use the treasure to set up a fund to help people in Rivertown who didn’t have very much.

7. How did Lucy’s actions with the treasure affect the people in Rivertown?
Lucy’s actions with the treasure brought everyone in Rivertown together and showed them that doing nice things for others is the best kind of treasure.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) secret
(2) treasures
(3) ghosts
(4) trusty
(5) little
(6) clock
(7) creepy
(8) special
(9) following
(10) found
(11) pirates
(12) steal
(13) became
(14) kindness
(15) brought
(16) showed
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. ancient
Answer: (H) Very old

2. clock tower
Answer: (O) A tall building with a clock on it

3. treasures
Answer: (E) Valuable objects or possessions

4. ghosts
Answer: (M) Spirits or souls of dead people

5. hidden
Answer: (C) Not easily seen or noticed

6. flashlight
Answer: (N) A small, portable light source

7. trusty
Answer: (J) Reliable and dependable

8. creepy
Answer: (K) Strange and scary

9. map
Answer: (G) A drawing that shows the location of places

10. special
Answer: (B) Unique or different from others

11. entrance
Answer: (F) A way to get into a place

12. pirates
Answer: (L) People who steal from others at sea

13. shiny
Answer: (D) Reflecting light brightly

14. fund
Answer: (A) Money set aside for a specific purpose

15. kindness
Answer: (I) Showing compassion and understanding towards others
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What did people in Rivertown think was hidden inside the clock tower?
Answer: (b) Treasures, ghosts, and hidden doorways

2. What did Lucy find behind one of the big parts of the clock?
Answer: (a) An old map with a red X

3. Where did Lucy go after finding the map?
Answer: (d) To a special place by the river with a red X

4. What did Lucy find when she dug at the place with the red X?
Answer: (b) A hidden entrance to a cave full of treasure

5. Who left the treasure in the cave?
Answer: (c) Pirates who stole from the rich and gave to the poor

6. What did Lucy decide to do with the treasure?
Answer: (c) Set up a fund to help people in Rivertown who didn’t have much

7. How did the people in Rivertown react when they heard about the treasure and Lucy’s plan?
Answer: (a) They all wanted to help and support Lucy’s fund

8. What did the clock tower symbolize for the people in Rivertown after Lucy’s discovery?
Answer: (d) Hope and kindness in the town
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Lucy, a scared girl, decided to ignore the truth about the clock tower. (Answer: False)
2. Lucy discovered a secret spot behind the clock and found an old map with a blue X marking a regular place by the river. (Answer: False)
3. People speculated about the clock tower, believing it held a hidden secret. (Answer: True)
4. The treasure consisted of gold coins and shiny jewels, and Lucy decided to use it for a good cause. (Answer: True)
5. In Rivertown, there was a modern clock tower that no one paid attention to. (Answer: False)
6. Lucy’s decision to share the treasure and help those in need brought the people of Rivertown together, transforming the clock tower into a symbol of hope and kindness. (Answer: True)
7. Digging at the marked spot, Lucy uncovered a hidden entrance leading to a cave filled with treasure left by pirates long ago. (Answer: True)
8. Lucy climbed to the bottom of the tower without her flashlight and her dog Rufus. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧

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