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 Magic Portrait

Once upon a time, there was a small village in the middle of a deep, dark forest. In this village lived a young boy named Peter. Peter was always a very curious boy, and he loved exploring the forest around his home.

One day, while exploring the forest, Peter stumbled upon an old, abandoned castle. He had never seen this castle before and was very curious about it. He decided to explore the inside.

As he entered the castle, he noticed a strange portrait hanging on the wall. It was a portrait of a beautiful princess. Peter was mesmerized by her beauty. He decided to take the portrait home with him.

When he arrived home, he hung the portrait above his bed. Little did he know that the portrait was magic! Every night, when Peter went to bed, the portrait would come alive and the princess would appear in his room.

The princess told Peter stories about her kingdom and the magical creatures that lived there. She also taught him about the importance of friendship and kindness. Peter was so fascinated by the princess and the stories she told him that he looked forward to her visits every night.

One day, the princess told Peter that she needed to return to her kingdom. She asked him to take care of the portrait and promised to return one day. Peter was very sad to see her go, but he was also excited for her return.

The princess kept her promise, and one day she returned. This time, she brought with her a magical gift. She gave Peter the gift of friendship and kindness. She told Peter that if he used these gifts wisely, he could make the world a better place.

Peter was so thankful for the magical gift and the wonderful stories the princess had shared with him. From that day forward, Peter used the magical gift of friendship and kindness to brighten the lives of everyone he met.

The End.

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Vocabulary

1. Village (noun): a small settlement usually in a rural area.
2. Curious (adjective): eager to learn or know something.
3. Abandoned (adjective): left or deserted; no longer in use.
4. Portrait (noun): a painting, photograph, or other representation of a person, especially one depicting the face.
5. Mesmerized (verb): to fascinate or captivate someone.
6. Kingdom (noun): a realm or region ruled by a king or queen.
7. Magical (adjective): having powers that comes from the supernatural.
8. Fascinated (adjective): to be extremely interested in something.
9. Wisely (adverb): in a way that shows good judgment.
10. Brighten (verb): to make or become cheerful or happier.

Comprehension Questions

1. What was the name of the small village?
2. What was the name of the young boy who lived in the village?
3. What did Peter find when he was exploring the forest?
4. What did Peter take home with him from the castle?
5. How did the portrait come alive every night?
6. What did the princess teach Peter about?
7. Why did the princess have to leave?
8. What did the princess give Peter as a gift when she returned?
9. How did Peter use the magical gift?
10. What was the result of Peter using the magical gift?

Gap Fill Questions

1. Peter was always a very ________ boy, and he loved exploring the forest around his home.
2. As he entered the castle, he noticed a strange ________ hanging on the wall.
3. Little did he know that the ________ was magic!
4. The princess told Peter ________ about her kingdom and the magical creatures that lived there.
5. One day, the princess told Peter that she needed to return to her ________.
6. She gave Peter the ________ of friendship and kindness.
7. Peter was so ________ for the magical gift and the wonderful stories the princess had shared with him.
8. Peter used the magical gift of ________ and kindness to brighten the lives of everyone he met.
9. The princess kept her ________, and one day she returned.
10. From that day forward, Peter used the magical gift of friendship and ________ to make the world a better place.

Conversation Questions

1. What do you think of when you hear the word “magic”?
2. Have you ever heard of a story similar to this one?
3. What do you think is the most important lesson to take away from this story?
4. What do you think the artist was thinking when he painted the portrait?
5. How do you think the prince felt when he found out the truth about the portrait?
6. How do you think the prince’s father reacted when he saw the portrait for the first time?
7. Do you think this story is a warning about the dangers of vanity?
8. Do you believe that beauty is only skin deep?
9. What do you think happened to the prince in the end?
10. If you could have a magic portrait, what would be the first thing you would paint?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. The small village was in the middle of a deep, dark forest.
2. The young boy who lived in the village was named Peter.
3. Peter found an old, abandoned castle when he was exploring the forest.
4. Peter took home a portrait of a beautiful princess from the castle.
5. The portrait came alive every night when Peter went to bed.
6. The princess taught Peter about the importance of friendship and kindness.
7. The princess had to leave in order to return to her kingdom.
8. The princess gave Peter the gift of friendship and kindness when she returned.
9. Peter used the magical gift to brighten the lives of everyone he met.
10. The result of Peter using the magical gift was that he made the world a better place.

Gap Fill Question Answers:

1. Peter was always a very curious boy, and he loved exploring the forest around his home.
2. As he entered the castle, he noticed a strange portrait hanging on the wall.
3. Little did he know that the portrait was magic!
4. The princess told Peter stories about her kingdom and the magical creatures that lived there.
5. One day, the princess told Peter that she needed to return to her kingdom.
6. She gave Peter the gift of friendship and kindness.
7. Peter was so thankful for the magical gift and the wonderful stories the princess had shared with him.
8. Peter used the magical gift of friendship and kindness to brighten the lives of everyone he met.
9. The princess kept her promise, and one day she returned.
10. From that day forward, Peter used the magical gift of friendship and kindness to make the world a better place.

📚 How about these other Level 2 stories?

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Three friendly ghosts bring joy and laughter to a lonely boy, teaching him the power of true friendship.

The Three Friendly Ghosts

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Lily found a magical jar that made things come alive, but she learned that true magic is friendship and happiness.

Maya's wish for endless laughter brings joy and unity to her village, making her the laughter ambassador.

The Mysterious Mango

Maya found a magical mango that made everyone laugh, so she decided to spread laughter everywhere.