📖 The Story

Read the story carefully, then answer the questions below.

Eight-year-old Tommy had always been fascinated by the ancient woodland behind his grandmother's cottage in the Cotswolds. On a crisp October morning, whilst his grandmother prepared lunch, Tommy decided to explore the mysterious forest path he had spotted from her kitchen window.

The towering oak trees created a magnificent canopy overhead, filtering the golden sunlight into dancing patterns on the mossy ground. Tommy marvelled at the enormous mushrooms growing beside fallen logs and listened to the melodic chirping of robins high above. He collected smooth pebbles and interesting twigs, stuffing them into his jacket pockets as treasures.

After what felt like hours of wandering deeper into the woods, Tommy suddenly realised he could no longer see his grandmother's cottage through the trees. Panic began to surge through his chest as he spun around, desperately searching for the familiar path home. Every direction looked identical – endless rows of towering trees stretching as far as his eyes could see.

Just as tears began to blur his vision, Tommy heard his grandmother's voice echoing through the forest, calling his name with obvious concern. He shouted back as loudly as possible, waving his arms frantically above his head. Within minutes, his relieved grandmother appeared through the undergrowth, accompanied by their neighbour Mr. Jenkins. Tommy had only been missing for thirty minutes, but it had felt like an eternity. From that day forward, he never ventured into the woods alone again.

📚 Comprehension Questions

📝 Vocabulary Challenge