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 Loyal Dog

Once upon a time there was a loyal dog named Max. Max was a playful pup with a heart of gold. He would often bring joy to the people and animals around him.

Max had a best friend, a little rabbit named Tom. Tom and Max would play together in the garden every day. Max would chase Tom around and Tom would do his best to get away from Max. It was wonderful to watch the dog and the rabbit playing together like brothers.

One day, Tom got lost in the forest and couldn’t find his way back home. Max was so worried and he decided to go look for him. He searched everywhere but he couldn’t find Tom.

Finally, Max heard a noise and followed it. It was Tom, stuck in a bush with some thorns! Max used his teeth to help Tom get out and brought him back home.

Tom was so grateful to Max and thanked him for his help. From then on, Max and Tom were even closer friends.

Max was a loyal dog and he was always there to help his friends. He was a true friend who always had their back. We can all learn from Max and be loyal and kind to others.

The end.

Listen

Slow

Normal

Fast

Vocabulary

1. Loyal (adjective): Showing faithfulness and devotion; faithful and reliable.
2. Pup (noun): A young dog.
3. Joy (noun): A feeling of great pleasure and happiness.
4. Chase (verb): To follow or run after someone or something in order to catch them.
5. Forest (noun): A large area of land with many trees.
6. Thorn (noun): A sharp, pointed part of a plant.
7. Grateful (adjective): Feeling or showing appreciation for something done or received.
8. Loyalty (noun): The quality of being faithful and devoted to someone or something.

Comprehension Questions

1. What was the name of the loyal dog in the story?
2. Who was Max’s best friend?
3. What happened to Tom one day?
4. Where did Max find Tom?
5. How did Max help Tom out of the bush?
6. How did Tom thank Max for saving him?
7. What lesson can we learn from Max’s loyalty?
8. What did Max and Tom do together in the garden every day?
9. What noise did Max follow to find Tom in the forest?
10. After Max saved Tom, how were their friendship even closer?

Gap Fill Questions

1. Max was an incredibly _____ dog.
2. Max and Tom would play together in the _____.
3. Tom got lost in the _____ and Max went to look for him.
4. Max used his _____ to help Tom get out of the bush.
5. Tom thanked Max for his _____.
6. Max was a true _____ who always had their back.
7. We can all learn from Max to be _____ and kind to others.
8. Max brought Tom _____ home.
9. Tom was _____ grateful to Max.
10. Max was a _____ pup with a heart of gold.

Conversation Questions

1. What is your favorite type of animal?
2. What characteristics

do you admire in animals?
3. Do you think loyalty is an important trait in animals?
4. Have you ever had a pet who was very loyal?
5. How important do you think it is for pets to be loyal?
6. Do you think loyalty is a trait that can be learned?
7. Do you have any stories of animals showing great loyalty?
8. What do you think motivates animals to be loyal?
9. Do you think loyalty is only found in animals, or can it be found in humans too?
10. Do you think loyalty is an instinct, or is it something that needs to be nurtured?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What was the name of the loyal dog in the story? Max
2. Who was Max’s best friend? Tom
3. What happened to Tom one day? He got lost in the forest.
4. Where did Max find Tom? In a bush with some thorns.
5. How did Max help Tom out of the bush? He used his teeth.
6. How did Tom thank Max for saving him? He was grateful and thanked him.
7. What lesson can we learn from Max’s loyalty? We can learn to be loyal and kind to others.
8. What did Max and Tom do together in the garden every day? They would play together.
9. What noise did Max follow to find Tom in the forest? He heard a noise and followed it.
10. After Max saved Tom, how were their friendship even closer? They were even closer friends.

Gap Fill Question Answers:

1. Max was an incredibly loyal dog.
2. Max and Tom would play together in the garden.
3. Tom got lost in the forest and Max went to look for him.
4. Max used his teeth to help Tom get out of the bush.
5. Tom thanked Max for his help.
6. Max was a true friend who always had their back.
7. We can all learn from Max to be loyal and kind to others.
8. Max brought Tom back home.
9. Tom was very grateful to Max.
10. Max was a playful pup with a heart of gold.

📚 How about these other Level 2 stories?

George and his grape friends escape the vineyard, overcoming obstacles and finding a world full of adventures.

The Great Grape Escape

George the grape and his friends escape from the vineyard, dodge obstacles, make a new friend, and find a new home.

A princess falls in love with a humble peasant who brings her a plain potato.

The Princess and the Potato

Once upon a time, there was a princess named Penelope who loved potatoes more than anything. Her dad, the king, wanted her to get married, but she didn’t like any of the princes. So, she said she would marry anyone who could bring her another great potato. Many people tried, but only a simple man named Peter succeeded. He showed that being kind and true is more important than fancy things or looks.

Silly Sally's interactive circus cake, complete with a mischievous kitten, wins The Great Cake Contest.

The Great Cake Contest

In Sweetopia, bakers made fancy cakes for The Great Cake Contest. Silly Sally’s cake got a surprise visitor, but she turned it into a fun game and won the contest!

A determined cat named Fluffy builds a flying contraption and learns the importance of seeking guidance.

Fluffy’s Fantastic Flight

Fluffy the cat wanted to fly, so he built a machine, but got scared when he went too high, luckily some seagulls helped him land safely and taught him an important lesson.

The Magic of Friendship

Once upon a time, there were two best friends named Susan and Sarah. They were always together and shared a

Freddie the squirrel learns a valuable lesson about the true meaning of happiness and unity.

The Peacock Parade

Freddie the squirrel goes on an adventure to find a secret feather, but learns that happiness is about being together, not finding things.

Online
Class
Writing
Coach

Feedback