A dog’s life Short story

Hi. I’m Dino, the family dog. I help keep people safe, especially on the
roads. Take a look at my diary to see what I did last week.

Sunday
Some children really don’t think. Our neighbour’s boy ran in front of a
car to get his ball. The car almost hit him. I saved him though.
Remember, always look and listen.

Monday
Walking on the street at night can be very dangerous, especially if you wear dark clothes. Car drivers
can’t see you very well, just like these two I had to take home. Luckily I never go out without my
reflective jacket and collar. Remember, BE SEEN!

Tuesday
People can get very angry when driving, usually for silly reasons. One driver started shouting at Mum
today when she stopped to let some children cross the road. I soon made him stop.

Wednesday
One thing makes me really mad. Grrrrrr. People walking on a dangerous road when they can walk on
the safe pavement. I saw two girls doing that today but I soon made them change their minds.

Thursday
Seat belts can save your life! I make sure everyone in our car wears their seat belt. If they forget, I
soon remind them. Even I’ve got one.

Friday
I like Fridays. The roads are quieter. But you still have to be careful. I caught Dad talking on his mobile
phone while driving. I soon stopped him though. Don’t worry, he got his phone back.

Saturday
Today Mum took me for a walk. One car was parked in a very dangerous place. It was right on the
corner of the street. Don’t worry though. I left him a message!

Listen to this story https://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/short-stories/dogs-life

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© British Council, 2017 The United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.
Ali and the magic carpet Short story
One very hot day Ali finds a carpet in his uncle’s shop.
‘What’s this?’

Suddenly the carpet jumps! It moves and flies off into the air.
‘Hey! What’s happening?’

A loud booming voice comes from the carpet.

‘Welcome, O master. I am a magic carpet.’

First they fly high up into the sky and then they land in a jungle. It is hot and wet and it’s raining.
‘It’s raining! Yuck!’

Then they fly to the desert. It is very, very hot and dry.
‘It is very, very hot today!’

After that they fly to the South Pole. There is lots of ice and snow. It’s freezing.
‘Brrr!’

‘Where are we now? I can’t see!’

‘In the mountains. Can you see me?’
‘It’s very foggy.’

Then they fly to a forest. It’s very windy there.

‘Oh, it’s windy in the forest!’

Then they fly to an island in the sea. There is thunder and lightning.
‘Aaagh! Let’s go home!’
‘What a storm!’

Finally they fly back home. The carpet lands in the shop and Ali gets off.
‘Wow! What an adventure!’

Listen to this story https://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/short-stories/ali-and-the-magic-carpet

Contributors Story by Sue Clarke

www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglishkids
© British Council, 2017 The United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.
Angel! Look out! Short story
Angel and his grandpa live on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
Grandpa is tired.
‘I’m going to sleep now, Angel. Be good, and don’t go past the coral!
There are lots of dangerous animals out there.’

‘Hi, Angel. What are you doing?’

‘I’m bored. Grandpa is asleep.’
‘Do you want to come and play?’
‘Yes, let’s go!’

‘Look, Turtle! A ball!’

‘Look out! That isn’t a ball! It’s a dangerous octopus! Swim!’

‘Angel! Look out! There’s a dangerous fish behind you! Angel, you must be careful here. You’ve got to
stay with me!’
‘I’m sorry, Turtle. Look! I’ve got a present for you.’
‘Aargh! This is a dangerous cone shell! Drop it quickly, Angel!’

‘I’m tired, Turtle. Can we rest here?’

‘Don’t sit here, Angel! There’s a dangerous sea snake! Quick! Swim!’

‘Where are we?’

‘I don’t know. I think we’re lost. Look out, Angel! That’s a box jellyfish! Swim!’

‘Look out, Turtle! A dangerous animal is behind you!’

‘That’s not a dangerous animal. It’s Doug. He’s my friend.’
‘Hello, Doug. We’re lost. Can you help us?’
‘Yes, I can help you. I’ll take you home.’

‘Hello, Angel.’
‘Hello, Grandpa.’
‘Oh, you’ve been a very good fish, Angel. Here’s a present for you.’
‘Thanks, Grandpa!’

Listen to this story https://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/short-stories/angel-look-out

Contributors Story by Kim Ashmore

www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglishkids
© British Council, 2017 The United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.
George and the dragon British tales
Once upon a time there was a brave knight called George. George
had lots of adventures as he travelled by horse across many lands.

One day he came to a small village and met a man who lived in a cave
next to the village.

The hermit told the knight about the awful things that were
happening there. A terrible dragon had come to live in the lake and attacked the village every day.

The villagers didn’t know what to do. First, they gave the dragon all their food, but the dragon just
took the food and still attacked the village.

So then the villagers gave the dragon all the animals from their farms. The dragon took all the
animals, but continued to attack the villagers.

So then they gave the dragon all their gold and jewels. The dragon took all their money, but still was
not satisfied.

The king sent his army to try and capture the dragon, but the dragon was too strong and the
knights of the army were too scared and they ran away.

With nothing left to give, the king could only think of one thing to help protect his people. He sent his
only daughter, the princess, to the lake to wait for the dragon.

When George heard this he rode as fast as he could to the lake. Just then the dragon jumped out
from the lake and was going to eat the princess.

George attacked the dragon. He fought very bravely, won the fight and killed the dragon. George and
the princess returned to the village and everyone was very pleased that they would have no more
problems with the dragon.

Today, the story of George’s bravery is remembered and George is known as the patron saint of
many countries.

Listen to this story https://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/short-stories/george-and-the-dragon

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© British Council, 2017 The United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.
Buzz and Bob’s big adventure Short story
This is Buzz and her cousin Bob. They are going on holiday to an
adventure camp.
‘Hello, I’m Buzz and I love adventure sports.’
‘Hello, I’m Bob. I can do everything.’

Buzz and Bob arrive at the camp. Buzz is very excited.

‘Look, Bob! What shall we do first?’

On Monday they ride BMX bikes.

‘Whee, this is great!’
‘Be careful, Bob!’

On Tuesday they go rock climbing.

‘Look out for the rocks, Bob!’
‘Ouch!’
Buzz helps Bob to the top.

On Wednesday they go rafting. Bob is very scared. His face goes green.
‘Come on, Bob. This is great!’

On Thursday Buzz and Bob go caving in an underground cave. There are lots of bats.
‘It’s dark in here! I don’t like bats.’

On Friday they go surfing. They do surfing tricks.

‘Look at me! I’m a great surfer.’
‘Oh no, you’re not!’

On Saturday they go parachuting. They jump and fall through the air but... Oh no! Something is
wrong. Can you save Bob?
‘Buzz! Help me!’

Buzz catches Bob. They float down to earth.

‘Thanks, Buzz. You saved me!’

‘Well done, Buzz. You are very brave. Your special prize is a bungee jump.’
‘Great! Here I go. One ... two ... three ... Whee!’

https://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/short-stories/buzz-and-bobs-big-
Listen to this story
adventure

Contributors Story by Sue Clarke

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© British Council, 2017 The United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.
Dinosaur Dig Short story
It was Sonia’s birthday. She had a new game. ‘Dinosaur Dig!’ said
Sonia. ‘Fantastic! This is just what I wanted!’

Sonia decided to try her new game. She switched on the computer,
put the game in and looked at the screen. A strange icon appeared.
Sonia clicked on the icon. FLASH!

‘Where am I?’ said Sonia.

‘You’re in Dinosaur Dig,’ said the boy next to her. ‘We have to find old dinosaur bones.’

‘Here’s one!’ said Sonia. She picked up a golden bone that was hidden under a bush.

‘No!’ shouted the boy. ‘You mustn’t pick the golden ones up! Now watch out for the dinosaur!’

Suddenly they heard a noise behind them. The ground began to shake. They heard a dinosaur roar.
‘RUN!’

Sonia and the boy ran fast through the bushes, but the dinosaur was getting closer. Sonia and the
boy hid behind a bush.

‘What will happen if the dinosaur catches us?’ asked Sonia.

‘Well, the game is over! But I’ve got three lives left. How many have you got?’
‘Only one!’

‘ROAR!’ The dinosaur was there! ‘Look!’ shouted Sonia. There was the same icon that she saw on her
computer. Sonia touched the icon. FLASH!

Sonia was at home, sitting at her computer. She looked at the game. ‘Bye, bye, dino,’ she said.
‘Hmmm. Maybe I’ll play a different game.’

Listen to this story https://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/short-stories/dinosaur-dig

Contributors Story by Kim Ashmore

www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglishkids
© British Council, 2017 The United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.
Little Red Riding Hood Short story
Little Red Riding Hood lived in a wood with her mother. One
day Little Red Riding Hood went to visit her granny. She had
a nice cake in her basket.

On her way Little Red Riding Hood met a wolf.

‘Hello!’ said the wolf. ‘Where are you going?’
‘I’m going to see my grandmother. She lives in a house behind those trees.’

The wolf ran to Granny’s house and ate Granny up. He got into Granny’s bed. A little
later, Little Red Riding Hood reached the house. She looked at the wolf.

‘Granny, what big eyes you have!’

‘All the better to see you with!’ said the wolf.

‘Granny, what big ears you have!’

‘All the better to hear you with!’ said the wolf.

‘Granny, what a big nose you have!’

‘All the better to smell you with!’ said the wolf.

‘Granny, what big teeth you have!’

‘All the better to eat you with!’ shouted the wolf.

A woodcutter was in the wood. He heard a loud scream and ran to the house.

The woodcutter hit the wolf over the head. The wolf opened his mouth wide and
shouted and Granny jumped out.

The wolf ran away and Little Red Riding Hood never saw the wolf again.

Listen to this story https://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/short-stories/little-red-riding-hood

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© British Council, 2017 The United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.
My secret team Short story
Can you keep a secret? I had to for a long, long time. My
family were all Boxton Town fans, but I supported a
different team – Boxton Rovers.

It was very hard being different. I had to be very good at

pretending when both teams played each other.

I couldn't cheer when my team scored. I had to go the bathroom and celebrate there.

I couldn't be sad when the other team scored.

I could only have my team's posters on my bedroom wall when I was alone.

If someone came to my room, I had to be quick to change how it looked.

I had to have a secret wardrobe too. I hid my favourite team's clothes behind the
other team's.

Birthdays were terrible too. I always got football gifts for the wrong team. But then my
life changed.

A billionaire bought both clubs in my town and made one big team – Boxton United.

Now I can relax and enjoy all the matches with my family. I go to the bathroom a lot
less now too.

Listen to this story https://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/en/short-stories/my-secret-team

www.britishcouncil.org/learnenglishkids
© British Council, 2017 The United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.