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Short Stories for Kids

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

The Secret Forest

Once upon a time, there was a magical forest filled with wonders. It was a secret forest, hidden away from most people, and only the bravest of adventurers were brave enough to explore it.

One day, a young girl named Molly decided to explore the forest. She was a brave child and knew that no matter what she might find, she would be able to handle it. As she ventured deeper into the forest, she started to feel a strange energy around her.

Molly soon came across a clearing in the middle of the forest filled with beautiful wildflowers. In the middle of the clearing were two magical trees. One of the trees had bright green leaves, and the other had deep red leaves. Molly was amazed by the beauty of the forest.

Suddenly, a fairy appeared from behind one of the trees. She told Molly that it was her job to protect the forest and make sure that no one ever found out about it. The fairy asked Molly to keep the forest a secret and promised to grant her three wishes if she did.

Molly agreed to the fairy’s request and kept the secret. In return, the fairy granted Molly three wishes. Molly wished for peace, love, and beauty.

From that day on, the secret forest filled with wonders was kept safe and Molly was able to share the beauty of the forest with everyone she met.

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Vocabulary

1. Magical (adjective): Having or relating to mysterious powers.
2. Adventurer (noun): A person who enjoys taking risks in pursuit of an exciting or dangerous experience.
3. Secret (adjective): Kept hidden or not revealed.
4. Brave (adjective): Having or showing courage.
5. Energy (noun): The strength and vitality required for physical or mental activity.
6. Clearing (noun): An open space in a forest or woodland.
7. Wildflowers (noun): Flowers that grow naturally in the wild.
8. Fairy (noun): A mythical creature with magical powers, usually depicted as a tiny winged humanoid.
9. Promise (verb): To make a commitment to do something in the future.
10. Beauty (noun): The quality of being pleasing, especially to look at.

Comprehension Questions

1. What was the name of the young girl who explored the magical forest?
2. What were the two colors of the leaves on the two magical trees in the clearing?
3. What did the fairy promise to do if Molly kept the forest a secret?
4. What were the three wishes that Molly asked for?
5. What was the fairy’s job?
6. What did Molly have to do in order to get the fairy to grant her three wishes?
7. What type of energy did Molly feel when she ventured deeper into the forest?
8. What happened after Molly kept the forest a secret?

Gap Fill Questions

1. Molly decided to explore the __________ forest.
2. In the middle of the clearing there were two magical __________.
3. The fairy promised to grant Molly __________ wishes.
4. Molly wished for __________, love, and beauty.
5. The secret forest was filled with __________.
6. The fairy asked Molly to keep the forest a __________.
7. Molly was amazed by the __________ of the forest.
8. Molly was a brave __________.
9. The tree with the bright green leaves symbolized __________.
10. The other tree with the deep red leaves symbolized __________.

Conversation Questions

1. What do you think of stories with elements of mystery and adventure?
2. What is a place that you find peaceful and calming?
3. Do you enjoy going on nature walks?
4. Have you ever explored a place you weren’t familiar with?
5. What do you think of stories with magical or fantastical elements?
6. Do you like stories that have a moral or lesson?
7. Do you think it’s important to take time for yourself?
8. What do you think about the idea of a secret place?
9. Do you think it’s important to have a special place to go to get away from everyday life?
10. What do you think of the idea of a secret forest?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. The young girl who explored the magical forest was named Molly.
2. The two colors of the leaves on the two magical trees in the clearing were bright green and deep red.
3. The fairy promised to grant Molly three wishes if she kept the forest a secret.
4. The three wishes that Molly asked for were peace, love, and beauty.
5. The fairy’s job was to protect the forest and make sure that no one ever found out about it.
6. In order to get the fairy to grant her three wishes, Molly had to keep the forest a secret.
7. Molly felt a strange energy when she ventured deeper into the forest.
8. After Molly kept the forest a secret, the secret forest filled with wonders was kept safe and Molly was able to share the beauty of the forest with everyone she met.

Gap Fill Question Answers:

1. Molly decided to explore the secret forest.
2. In the middle of the clearing there were two magical trees.
3. The fairy promised to grant Molly three wishes.
4. Molly wished for peace, love, and beauty.
5. The secret forest was filled with wonders.
6. The fairy asked Molly to keep the forest a secret.
7. Molly was amazed by the beauty of the forest.
8. Molly was a brave child.
9. The tree with the bright green leaves symbolized peace.
10. The other tree with the deep red leaves symbolized love.

πŸ“š How about these other Level 1 stories?

Embarking on a magical adventure in Vegetable Land, Max discovers that vegetables are superheroes in disguise.

The Voyage to Vegetable Land

Max didn’t like eating vegetables, but one day he went on an adventure to Vegetable Land and discovered that veggies can be fun and yummy!

The Busy Bee

Once upon a time, in a beautiful meadow filled with flowers, there lived a busy little bee named Buzz. Buzz

Stella the unicorn uses her magical rainbow to spread happiness and love to all creatures.

The Rainbow Bridge

Stella the unicorn loves making rainbows and goes on an adventure to win special magic dust.

The Magical Mountain

Once upon a time, there was a magical mountain in the middle of a vast forest. The mountain was filled

A fish named Rainbow learns the importance of sharing its unique beauty with others.

The Rainbow Fish’s Journey

Rainbow the fish had shiny scales that no one wanted to share, but with the help of new friends, Rainbow learned to share and make everyone happy.

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