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 Tale of the Turquoise Tortoise

A shy tortoise named Timothy embarks on a thrilling adventure with his animal friends to find a hidden treasure.

Try this story at a different level?

 

There was a tortoise named Timothy who lived in a magical place called Zippity-Zap. Timothy had a bright turquoise shell that everyone loved. Many animals wanted to be his friend, but Timothy was super shy and didn’t like all the attention.

One day, Timothy found a feather while walking in a field. When he looked closely at it, he saw words that said, “Follow this feather to find a great treasure!” This made Timothy excited, and he decided to go on an adventure.

As he followed the feather, he had to jump over rivers, squeeze through tight spaces, and climb a big tree. Several animals joined Timothy on his adventure. There was Chester the rabbit, Penny the squirrel, and Bruno the badger, who were all really eager to find the treasure with him.

After a long time, they found a cave behind a waterfall. Inside, they discovered a chest full of shiny jewels and gold. But Timothy realized that the real treasure was the friends he made during the journey. As they tried to leave the cave, a huge rock blocked their way out. Luckily, Bruno was not scared and dug a tunnel that helped them escape.

Back home, all the animals in Zippity-Zap were impressed by what Timothy and his friends did. They learned that being brave and working together was more valuable than any treasure. Timothy’s story made everyone believe in the power of friendship. Timothy and his friends were happy to go back to their quiet lives, always remembering their incredible journey and the important thing they learned.

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

📖 Vocabulary:

1tortoiseA slow-moving reptile with a hard shell that it can pull its body into
2turquoiseA blue-green color that is a bit like the color of the ocean in tropical areas
3magicalHaving special powers or creating a feeling of enchantment
4adventureAn exciting experience where you do or see new things
5treasureSomething hidden that is very valuable or has great significance
6squeezeTo push through a small or tight space
7eagerReally wanting to do or have something
8jewelsSparkling stones that are often used to make jewelry
9realizedUnderstood something after thinking about it carefully
10blockedWhen something is in the way and stops movement or progress
11impressedFeeling admiration for someone or something because it is good or remarkable
12valuableHaving great worth or meaning
13incredibleSo extraordinary as to seem impossible
14journeyA long trip or experience from one place to another
15importantHaving great significance or consequence

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. Who is the main character in the story?
2. What color is Timothy’s shell?
3. How did Timothy feel about all the attention from other animals?
4. What did Timothy find that had a message on it?
5. What obstacles did Timothy and his friends have to overcome on their adventure?
6. What did they find inside the cave?
7. What did Timothy and his friends learn from their journey?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

There was a tortoise named Timothy who lived in a (1)______ place called Zippity-Zap. Timothy had a bright turquoise shell that everyone loved. Many animals wanted to be his friend, but Timothy was super shy and didn’t like all the (2)______.

One day, Timothy found a feather while walking in a (3)______. When he (4)______ closely at it, he saw words that said, “Follow this feather to find a great treasure!” This made Timothy excited, and he (5)______ to go on an adventure.

As he followed the feather, he had to jump over rivers, squeeze through tight spaces, and climb a big tree. (6)______ animals (7)______ Timothy on his adventure. There was Chester the rabbit, Penny the (8)______, and Bruno the badger, who were all really eager to find the treasure with him.

After a long time, they found a cave behind a waterfall. Inside, they discovered a chest full of shiny jewels and gold. But Timothy realized that the real treasure was the (9)______ he made during the journey. As they tried to leave the cave, a huge rock blocked their way out. Luckily, Bruno was not scared and dug a (10)______ that (11)______ them (12)______.

Back home, all the animals in Zippity-Zap were (13)______ by what Timothy and his friends did. They learned that being brave and working together was more valuable than any treasure. Timothy’s (14)______ made everyone believe in the power of friendship. Timothy and his friends were happy to go back to their quiet lives, always remembering their incredible (15)______ and the important (16)______ they learned.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a magical place? Have you ever been to a place that felt magical? Why or why not?
2. How would you feel if you found a feather with a message on it? What would you do?
3. Do you think it’s important to have friends? Why or why not?
4. What kind of qualities do you think make a good friend? Why?
5. If you were Timothy, would you have gone on the adventure? Why or why not?
6. Have you ever had to overcome a fear to do something? How did you feel afterwards?
7. Do you like going on adventures? Why or why not?
8. What do you think is more important, money or friends? Why?
9. How would you feel if you found a treasure chest? What would you do with the treasure?
10. Do you think it’s possible to learn important things from adventures? Why or why not?

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. tortoise
2. turquoise
3. magical
4. adventure
5. treasure
6. squeeze
7. eager
8. jewels
9. realized
10. blocked
11. impressed
12. valuable
13. incredible
14. journey
15. important

Meanings:
(A) Having great significance or consequence
(B) Having great worth or meaning
(C) Understood something after thinking about it carefully
(D) A slow-moving reptile with a hard shell that it can pull its body into
(E) When something is in the way and stops movement or progress
(F) An exciting experience where you do or see new things
(G) Really wanting to do or have something
(H) Having special powers or creating a feeling of enchantment
(I) A blue-green color that is a bit like the color of the ocean in tropical areas
(J) Sparkling stones that are often used to make jewelry
(K) A long trip or experience from one place to another
(L) Feeling admiration for someone or something because it is good or remarkable
(M) So extraordinary as to seem impossible
(N) Something hidden that is very valuable or has great significance
(O) To push through a small or tight space
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What color is Timothy’s shell?
(a) Deep purple
(b) Neon green
(c) Bright turquoise
(d) Vibrant orange

2. What did Timothy find while walking in a field?
(a) A shiny rock
(b) A hidden treasure map
(c) A feather with words on it
(d) A magical potion

3. Who joined Timothy on his adventure?
(a) Chester the rabbit, Penny the squirrel, and Bruno the badger
(b) Sammy the snake, Molly the mouse, and Oliver the owl
(c) Max the monkey, Lily the lion, and Bella the bear
(d) Toby the turtle, Daisy the deer, and Charlie the cat

4. Where did Timothy and his friends find the treasure?
(a) At the top of a tall mountain
(b) Inside a cave behind a waterfall
(c) Underneath a giant oak tree
(d) Buried deep in the sand at the beach

5. What did Timothy realize was the real treasure?
(a) The shiny jewels and gold in the chest
(b) The feather he found in the field
(c) The adventure itself
(d) The friends he made during the journey

6. How did Timothy and his friends escape from the cave?
(a) Bruno dug a tunnel
(b) They climbed over the rock
(c) They used a magic spell
(d) They found another hidden exit

7. What did the animals in Zippity-Zap learn from Timothy’s story?
(a) The importance of bravery
(b) The power of friendship
(c) The value of working together
(d) All of the above

8. How did Timothy and his friends feel at the end of the story?
(a) Sad and disappointed
(b) Excited and eager for more adventures
(c) Scared and worried about the future
(d) Happy and content

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. However, Timothy realized that the true treasure was not the friendships he had formed during their adventure.
2. Despite his popularity, Timothy was outgoing and enjoyed being the center of attention.
3. With the help of Bruno’s bravery, they managed to escape the cave through a tunnel he dug, and their heroic journey inspired everyone in Zippity-Zap to believe in the power of friendship.
4. One day, Timothy discovered a feather with a message that promised a great treasure, sparking his excitement for an adventure.
5. Timothy was accompanied by Chester the rabbit, Penny the squirrel, and Bruno the badger on his quest to find the treasure.
6. Eventually, they stumbled upon a hidden cave behind a waterfall, where they discovered a chest filled with shiny jewels and gold.
7. Timothy, the tortoise, lived in a magical place called Zippity-Zap and had a unique turquoise shell.
8. Throughout their journey, Timothy and his friends encountered few obstacles, including rivers, tight spaces, and a large tree.
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 Timothy, the tortoise.

2. What color is Timothy’s shell?
Timothy’s shell is bright turquoise.

3. How did Timothy feel about all the attention from other animals?
Timothy felt super shy and didn’t like all the attention from other animals.

4. What did Timothy find that had a message on it?
Timothy found a feather that had a message on it.

5. What obstacles did Timothy and his friends have to overcome on their adventure?
Timothy and his friends had to jump over rivers, squeeze through tight spaces, and climb a big tree.

6. What did they find inside the cave?
Inside the cave, they found a chest full of shiny jewels and gold.

7. What did Timothy and his friends learn from their journey?
Timothy and his friends learned that being brave and working together was more valuable than any treasure.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) magical
(2) attention
(3) field
(4) looked
(5) decided
(6) Several
(7) joined
(8) squirrel
(9) friends
(10) tunnel
(11) helped
(12) escape
(13) impressed
(14) story
(15) journey
(16) thing
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. tortoise
Answer: (D) A slow-moving reptile with a hard shell that it can pull its body into

2. turquoise
Answer: (I) A blue-green color that is a bit like the color of the ocean in tropical areas

3. magical
Answer: (H) Having special powers or creating a feeling of enchantment

4. adventure
Answer: (F) An exciting experience where you do or see new things

5. treasure
Answer: (N) Something hidden that is very valuable or has great significance

6. squeeze
Answer: (O) To push through a small or tight space

7. eager
Answer: (G) Really wanting to do or have something

8. jewels
Answer: (J) Sparkling stones that are often used to make jewelry

9. realized
Answer: (C) Understood something after thinking about it carefully

10. blocked
Answer: (E) When something is in the way and stops movement or progress

11. impressed
Answer: (L) Feeling admiration for someone or something because it is good or remarkable

12. valuable
Answer: (B) Having great worth or meaning

13. incredible
Answer: (M) So extraordinary as to seem impossible

14. journey
Answer: (K) A long trip or experience from one place to another

15. important
Answer: (A) Having great significance or consequence
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What color is Timothy’s shell?
Answer: (c) Bright turquoise

2. What did Timothy find while walking in a field?
Answer: (c) A feather with words on it

3. Who joined Timothy on his adventure?
Answer: (a) Chester the rabbit, Penny the squirrel, and Bruno the badger

4. Where did Timothy and his friends find the treasure?
Answer: (b) Inside a cave behind a waterfall

5. What did Timothy realize was the real treasure?
Answer: (d) The friends he made during the journey

6. How did Timothy and his friends escape from the cave?
Answer: (a) Bruno dug a tunnel

7. What did the animals in Zippity-Zap learn from Timothy’s story?
Answer: (b) The power of friendship

8. How did Timothy and his friends feel at the end of the story?
Answer: (d) Happy and content
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. However, Timothy realized that the true treasure was not the friendships he had formed during their adventure. (Answer: False)
2. Despite his popularity, Timothy was outgoing and enjoyed being the center of attention. (Answer: False)
3. With the help of Bruno’s bravery, they managed to escape the cave through a tunnel he dug, and their heroic journey inspired everyone in Zippity-Zap to believe in the power of friendship. (Answer: True)
4. One day, Timothy discovered a feather with a message that promised a great treasure, sparking his excitement for an adventure. (Answer: True)
5. Timothy was accompanied by Chester the rabbit, Penny the squirrel, and Bruno the badger on his quest to find the treasure. (Answer: False)
6. Eventually, they stumbled upon a hidden cave behind a waterfall, where they discovered a chest filled with shiny jewels and gold. (Answer: True)
7. Timothy, the tortoise, lived in a magical place called Zippity-Zap and had a unique turquoise shell. (Answer: True)
8. Throughout their journey, Timothy and his friends encountered few obstacles, including rivers, tight spaces, and a large tree. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧

📚 How about these other Level 3 stories?

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.

Penelope, the brave pirate princess, embarks on daring adventures, outsmarting sea monsters, cunning pirates, and even making a wish with a magical Golden Mermaid.

The Pirate Princess

Penelope, the pirate princess, sails the seas, outsmarting monsters, tricking pirates, and finding the true treasure of friendship.

Lily and her animal friends explore a crystal cave, discovering magical powers and learning important lessons.

The Crystal Cave

Lily and her animal friends discover a magical crystal cave, where they have exciting adventures and learn important life lessons.

Dara the daring dragonfly embarks on a quest, only to discover that the true treasure is within.

The Daring Dragonfly

Dara the dragonfly found a hidden treasure in the forest, but it wasn’t gold or jewels—it was something even better.

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