Long ago, in a quiet village, there lived a young girl named Sofia. She was curious and loved exploring new places. One afternoon, while walking near the edge of the forest, she discovered a narrow path she had never seen before.
The path was covered with dry leaves and looked mysterious. Sofia followed it carefully until she reached a tall wooden gate hidden behind bushes.
“This looks interesting,” she whispered.
She pushed the gate slowly, and it opened with a soft creak. Inside, she found a beautiful garden full of colorful flowers, tall trees, and butterflies flying everywhere.
Sofia was amazed. The air smelled fresh, and she felt peaceful. But then she noticed something unusual — a small stone box under a tree.
She picked it up and found an old key inside. There was also a note that said:
“To the one who finds this, take care of the garden and keep it alive.”
Sofia understood that the garden needed someone to protect it. From that day on, she visited the secret garden every afternoon. She watered the plants, removed weeds, and talked to the flowers as if they were her friends.
Weeks passed, and the garden became even more beautiful. Birds started making nests, and colorful butterflies danced in the sunlight. Sofia felt proud of her secret.
One day, she brought her best friend Liam to the garden. Together, they promised to preserve its beauty and keep it safe forever.
Exercises
Part 1 — New Words & Meanings
| Word | Meaning (Simple) | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Curious | Wanting to know or learn something | Sofia was curious about the hidden path. |
| Narrow | Thin or small in width | They walked along the narrow path. |
| Mysterious | Strange or unknown | The gate looked dark and mysterious. |
| Discovered | Found something new | Sofia discovered a secret garden. |
| Protect | Keep safe from harm | Sofia wanted to protect the garden. |
| Preserve | To keep something in good condition | Liam helped Sofia preserve the garden. |
| Precious | Very special or valuable | Nature is precious and must be cared for. |
| Alive | Full of life | Flowers make the garden look alive. |
Part 2 — Comprehension Questions
(Answer in one or two sentences)
- Who is the main character in the story?
- What did Sofia find behind the bushes?
- What was inside the small stone box?
- How did Sofia take care of the garden?
- Who did Sofia bring to the garden later?
Part 3 — Fill in the Blanks
(Use the correct word from the box)
Words: discovered, mysterious, preserve, curious, protect
- Sofia was very __________ about the hidden path.
- She __________ a beautiful secret garden.
- The garden looked old and __________.
- Sofia promised to __________ the garden’s beauty.
- Liam helped Sofia __________ the plants and flowers.
Part 4 — Vocabulary Matching
Match the words with their meanings:
| Words | Meanings |
|---|---|
| a) Curious | 1) Keep safe |
| b) Preserve | 2) Strange, unknown |
| c) Protect | 3) Wanting to know |
| d) Mysterious | 4) Keep in good condition |
Part 5 — Creative Writing Task ✍️
Imagine you found a secret place — it could be a garden, a cave, or an old house.
Write 5-6 sentences about:
- What you discovered
- How you felt
- What you did to keep it safe