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 Clever Fox

Once upon a time, there was a fox named Fuzzy. Fuzzy was very clever and liked to solve puzzles. He was always looking for new challenges.

One day, Fuzzy was walking through the forest, searching for food. Suddenly, he saw a big, juicy apple hanging from a tree. Fuzzy wanted the apple, but it was too high for him to reach. What a frustrating situation!

Fuzzy thought and thought about how he could get the apple. Suddenly, he had an idea. He found a big stick, and he put it up against the tree. He climbed up the stick, and the apple was still too high. What could he do?

Fuzzy tried again. He found two sticks, and he put them together to make a bigger stick. He put the stick up against the tree again and this time, he was able to reach the apple. Finally!

Fuzzy was very happy that he was able to get the apple. He thanked the sticks for helping him. From then on, Fuzzy used his cleverness to get whatever he wanted. So he became known as “The Clever Fox”.

The End.

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Vocabulary

1. Solve (verb): To find an answer to a problem or puzzle.
2. Juicy (adjective): Having a lot of liquid or flavor.
3. Reach (verb): To extend one’s hand or arms to get something.
4. Stick (noun): A long, thin piece of wood.
5. Frustrating (adjective): The feeling when you want to do something but you can’t.
6. Clever (adjective): Intelligent and able to think quickly.
7. Put (verb): To place something in a particular position.

Comprehension Questions

1. What was the name of the fox?
2. What was Fuzzy always looking for?
3. What did Fuzzy find hanging from a tree?
4. What did Fuzzy do to try and get the apple?
5. How many sticks did Fuzzy use to get the apple?
6. How did Fuzzy make the sticks longer?
7. What was Fuzzy able to do with the help of the sticks?
8. How did Fuzzy feel when he got the apple?
9. What did Fuzzy thank the sticks for?
10. What did Fuzzy use his cleverness to do afterwards?

Gap Fill Questions

1. Fuzzy was a very _____ fox.
2. Fuzzy saw a _____ apple in a tree.
3. He tried to reach the apple, but it was _____ high.
4. Fuzzy found a _____ to help him.
5. He put the stick _____ the tree.
6. He found two sticks to make a _____ one.
7. Fuzzy was _____ to get the apple.
8. He thanked the _____ for helping him.
9. Fuzzy used his _____ to get what he wanted.
10. In the end, Fuzzy was _____.

Conversation Questions

1. Have you ever heard any other stories about clever animals?
2. What are some other characteristics of a fox?
3. Are there any other animals that you think are particularly clever?
4. Do you think that animals have an instinctive sense of what is right and wrong?
5. Do you think that animals are capable of being kind or empathetic?
6. Do you think that animals are capable of understanding complex concepts?
7. Do you think that animals have the same level of intelligence as humans?
8. What do you think of when you think of the phrase “clever like a fox”?
9. In your opinion, what makes an animal particularly clever?
10. Do you think that animals are more intelligent now than they were in the past?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Fuzzy
2. New challenges
3. A big, juicy apple
4. He found a stick and tried to reach the apple
5. Two
6. He put them together to make a bigger stick
7. Reach the apple
8. Very happy
9. Helping him
10. Get whatever he wanted

Gap Fill Question Answers:

1. Fuzzy was a very clever fox.
2. Fuzzy saw a juicy apple in a tree.
3. He tried to reach the apple, but it was too high.
4. Fuzzy found a stick to help him.
5. He put the stick up against the tree.
6. He found two sticks to make a bigger one.
7. Fuzzy was very happy to get the apple.
8. He thanked the sticks for helping him.
9. Fuzzy used his cleverness to get what he wanted.
10. In the end, Fuzzy was happy.

📚 How about these other Level 2 stories?

A young girl named Lily embarks on a daring adventure to find a hidden harbor and discovers that true treasure lies in the simple pleasures of life.

The Hidden Harbor

Lily went on an exciting adventure to find a secret harbor and discovered that the real treasure is spending time with loved ones.

Four friends embark on a magical adventure, only to discover that the real treasure is their friendship.

The Four Leaf Clover Quest

Four friends go on an adventure to find a special clover that grants wishes, but learn that friendship is the real magic.

The Big Ghost

Once upon a time, in a small village, there lived a big ghost named Ghoulie. Ghoulie was a friendly ghost,

Amy and the Magic Book

Amy found a magical book that let her make anything she wanted, but she realized that the real world is already full of wonder.

The Giant’s Garden

Greg loves his beautiful garden, but some mean Goblins steal all the seeds. Whiskers helps save the day!

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