Paul Holmes -
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Short Stories for Kids

Complete lesson plans, including stories, listening, classroom activities, quiz questions and more!

The Mysterious Castle

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there was a beautiful castle that stood high on a hill. The castle was surrounded by a moat, and it had tall, stone walls and big, strong doors. People in the land whispered about the castle, saying that it was filled with magic and mystery.

One day, a group of young friends decided they wanted to explore the castle. They packed a bag of snacks and set off on their journey. When they arrived at the castle, they saw that the doors were locked. But the friends were determined, so they searched for a way to get inside.

Finally, they found a secret entrance hidden behind some bushes. They squeezed through the opening and found themselves in a grand, dark hallway. As they explored, they saw many strange and wonderful things. They saw a room filled with jewels and gold, and a room with a giant, glittering chandelier.

But the best part came when they found a room filled with toys and games. The friends played for hours, until it was time to go home. As they left the castle, they knew they would always remember their magical adventure.

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Vocabulary

  1. castle (noun): a large, fortified building, typically in the form of a residence for a monarch or noble
  2. moat (noun): a deep, wide ditch, typically filled with water, surrounding a castle or other fortified building
  3. walls (noun): a continuous vertical brick or stone structure that encloses or divides an area of land
  4. doors (noun): a movable structure used to close off an entrance, typically consisting of a panel that swings on hinges or that slides or rotates
  5. whispered (verb): speak softly and secretly with someone, typically in order to avoid being overheard
  6. determined (adjective): having made a firm decision and being resolved not to change it
  7. secret (adjective): not known or seen or not meant to be known or seen by others
  8. hallway (noun): a corridor in a building
  9. jewels (noun): a precious stone, typically a single crystal or piece of a hard lustrous or translucent mineral, cut into shape and used as an ornament
  10. chandelier (noun): a decorative ceiling-mounted light with branches for several light bulbs or candles.

Comprehension Questions

Please answer the following questions with your teacher or partner.
The answers are at the bottom of the page!

  1. What was the castle surrounded by?
  2. How did the friends get into the castle?
  3. What was in the room filled with jewels and gold?
  4. What was in the room with the giant chandelier?
  5. What did the friends do in the room filled with toys and games?
  6. How did the friends feel when they left the castle?
  7. What was whispered about the castle?
  8. How did the friends feel when they arrived at the castle?

Gap Fill Questions

Please fill in the gaps.
The answers are at the bottom of the page!

  1. The castle was surrounded by a _____.
  2. The friends found a _____ entrance hidden behind some bushes.
  3. The room was filled with _____ and gold.
  4. There was a room with a giant, glittering _____.
  5. The friends played for hours in the room filled with _____ and games.
  6. The friends knew they would always remember their magical _____.
  7. People whispered that the castle was filled with magic and _____.
  8. The castle had tall, stone _____ and big, strong doors.

Conversation Questions

With your teacher or partner, please ask and answer these questions:

  1. Do you think there were any monsters or ghosts in the castle?
  2. If you could have any room in the castle, which one would you choose?
  3. Do you think there are any other secret entrances to the castle?
  4. What do you think the friends will do the next time they visit the castle?
  5. Do you think the castle was really filled with magic and mystery?
  6. If you could have any superpower while exploring the castle, what would it be?
  7. What other adventures do you think the friends have gone on?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

  1. What was the castle surrounded by?
  • The castle was surrounded by a moat.
  1. How did the friends get into the castle?
  • The friends found a secret entrance hidden behind some bushes and squeezed through it.
  1. What was in the room filled with jewels and gold?
  • The room was filled with jewels and gold.
  1. What was in the room with the giant chandelier?
  • It is not stated in the story what was in the room with the giant chandelier.
  1. What did the friends do in the room filled with toys and games?
  • The friends played for hours in the room filled with toys and games.
  1. How did the friends feel when they left the castle?
  • The friends knew they would always remember their magical adventure when they left the castle.
  1. What was whispered about the castle?
  • People in the land whispered that the castle was filled with magic and mystery.
  1. How did the friends feel when they arrived at the castle?
  • It is not stated in the story how the friends felt when they arrived at the castle.

Gap Fill Question Answers:

  1. The castle was surrounded by a moat.
  2. The friends found a secret entrance hidden behind some bushes.
  3. The room was filled with jewels and gold.
  4. There was a room with a giant, glittering chandelier.
  5. The friends played for hours in the room filled with toys and games.
  6. The friends knew they would always remember their magical adventure.
  7. People whispered that the castle was filled with magic and mystery.
  8. The castle had tall, stone walls and big, strong doors.

πŸ“š How about these other Level 1 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 found a secret harbor and learned that the best treasure is having fun with friends.

The Secret Forest

Once upon a time, there was a magical forest filled with wonders. It was a secret forest, hidden away from

Three friends stumble upon a magical peach palace filled with talking animals and enchanted treasures, unlocking their own creativity and joy.

The Peculiar Peach Palace

Max, Sam, and Mia found a special house with talking animals and fairies that made them laugh. They discovered magic inside and learned that they could make their own magic too.

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