The Penguin’s Picnic

The sun was shining brightly over the meadow as the penguins prepared for their annual picnic. It was the event of the season for all the animals in the forest. Penguins waddled around, setting out blankets and baskets filled with goodies—fresh fish sandwiches, berry pies, and a mountain of carrot sticks.

“Everything looks perfect!” said Poppy the Penguin, clapping her flippers together. “This picnic will be the best one yet!”

The animals began arriving: Mrs. Fox brought her famous blackberry tart, the squirrels carried acorn muffins, and Mr. Rabbit hopped over with a giant bowl of carrot salad. The penguins laughed and chatted, enjoying the day.

But as the games began, disaster struck. “The carrots are missing!” shouted Benny the Penguin, looking into the empty carrot bowl. Everyone froze.

“How can we have a proper picnic without carrots?” asked Poppy, horrified. “What happened to them?”

All eyes turned to Mr. Rabbit, who stood nervously twiddling his paws. “Don’t look at me!” he stammered. “I brought my own carrots!”

“But you love carrots more than anyone!” cried Sammy the Squirrel. “You probably ate them all!”

“I didn’t take them!” Mr. Rabbit protested. “I wouldn’t—”

“You’ve got carrot crumbs on your whiskers!” shouted Mrs. Fox.

Mr. Rabbit’s eyes widened. “That’s from my carrot salad!” he squeaked.

The animals started whispering and pointing fingers. Even Poppy gave Mr. Rabbit a suspicious look. “We need to figure out who took them,” she said.

Just then, a trail of tiny footprints caught Benny’s eye. “Look!” he said, pointing. The animals followed the trail, which led to a nearby anthill.

Inside, they found Mr. Ant, surrounded by a pile of carrots. He was happily munching on one, his antennae wiggling with delight.

“Mr. Ant!” Poppy exclaimed. “Why did you take our carrots?”

Mr. Ant looked up, his tiny eyes full of guilt. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I wasn’t invited to the picnic. I thought if I took the carrots, I could have a little picnic of my own.”

The animals stared in surprise. “But why didn’t you just ask to join us?” asked Poppy.

“I thought you wouldn’t want me there,” said Mr. Ant.

Poppy waddled closer. “Of course we would’ve wanted you! Everyone’s welcome at the penguins’ picnic!”

Mr. Ant’s antennae drooped. “I didn’t know. I’m really sorry for taking your carrots.”

Poppy smiled. “Apology accepted. But next time, just ask, okay?”

The animals helped Mr. Ant carry the carrots back to the picnic, where they gave him a warm welcome. Mr. Rabbit received a big apology for being falsely accused, and the group enjoyed the rest of the day with games and laughter.

“Let this be a lesson,” said Poppy, raising a glass of lemonade. “Don’t jump to conclusions. Things aren’t always what they seem!”

The animals cheered, and even Mr. Ant joined in, nibbling on a carrot stick. It was a picnic to remember.

Phrasal Verbs & Example Sentences

Set out – To arrange or display items.

Example: “Penguins waddled around, setting out blankets and baskets filled with goodies.”

Look into – To investigate or examine.

Example: “Benny the Penguin looked into the empty carrot bowl.”

Turn to – To direct attention or blame toward someone.

Example: “All eyes turned to Mr. Rabbit.”

Followed through – To pursue something to its conclusion.

Example: “The animals followed the trail, which led to a nearby anthill.”

Bring back – To return something to its original place.

Example: “The animals helped Mr. Ant bring back the carrots.”

Phrasal Verb Quiz

Fill in the blank with the correct Phrasal Verb.

The penguins ________ blankets and baskets to prepare for the picnic.
Benny ________ the empty carrot bowl and realized something was wrong.
The animals ________ Mr. Rabbit when the carrots went missing.
The animals followed the trail and ________ Mr. Ant at the anthill.
Mr. Ant promised to ________ the carrots he had taken.

Answers (Phrasal Verbs)

Set out
Looked into
Turned to
Came across
Bring back

Idioms & Example Sentences

Pointing fingers – Blaming someone.

Example: “The animals started whispering and pointing fingers.”

Jump to conclusions – To assume something without having all the facts.

Example: “Don’t jump to conclusions. Things aren’t always what they seem!”

A picnic to remember – An event that is memorable.

Example: “It was a picnic to remember.”

Caught red-handed – To catch someone in the act of wrongdoing.

Example: “Inside, they found Mr. Ant, caught red-handed with the carrots.”

Make amends – To apologize and fix a mistake.

Example: “The animals helped Mr. Ant make amends by carrying the carrots back.”

Idiom Quiz

Fill in the blank with the correct Idiom

The animals were ________, blaming Mr. Rabbit without proof.
Mr. Rabbit told them not to ________ because he didn’t take the carrots.
Discovering Mr. Ant at the anthill felt like catching him ________.
The picnic became ________ once everyone laughed about the misunderstanding.
Poppy reminded everyone not to ________; things aren’t always as they seem.

Answers (Idioms)

Pointing fingers
Jump to conclusions
Red-handed
A picnic to remember
Make mountains out of molehills

Multiple-Choice Questions

Choose the correct answer.

Why was the picnic such an exciting event for the animals?
a. It was an annual tradition.
b. It was a surprise party.
c. It was the first picnic they ever had.
d. It was hosted by Mrs. Fox.
What was the first clue that the carrots were missing?
a. Benny saw the empty carrot bowl.
b. Poppy noticed crumbs on the ground.
c. Mr. Rabbit admitted to eating them.
d. Mrs. Fox found an empty basket.
Who was initially blamed for the missing carrots?
a. Benny the Penguin
b. Sammy the Squirrel
c. Mr. Rabbit
d. Mr. Ant
Why did Mr. Rabbit have carrot crumbs on his whiskers?
a. He had eaten the stolen carrots.
b. He had brought carrot salad.
c. He had dropped the carrots.
d. He had been at the anthill.
What led the animals to the true culprit?
a. Carrot peels near the bushes.
b. A trail of tiny footprints.
c. A confession from Mr. Rabbit.
d. A missing basket.
Where did the trail of footprints lead?
a. To the riverbank
b. To a hollow tree
c. To the anthill
d. To Mr. Rabbit’s burrow
Why did Mr. Ant take the carrots?
a. He wanted to sell them.
b. He wasn’t invited to the picnic.
c. He was storing food for winter.
d. He thought they were abandoned.
How did the animals react when they found Mr. Ant?
a. They were angry and demanded the carrots back.
b. They listened to his explanation.
c. They scolded him harshly.
d. They left him alone.
What lesson did Poppy share at the picnic?
a. Always share food with others.
b. Don’t jump to conclusions.
c. Always keep your belongings secure.
d. Never eat carrots without permission.
What did the animals do after finding the carrots?
a. Ended the picnic early.
b. Shared them with Mr. Ant.
c. Accused Mr. Rabbit again.
d. Planted more carrots.
Who brought the most famous blackberry tart?
a. Poppy the Penguin
b. Mrs. Fox
c. Mr. Rabbit
d. Sammy the Squirrel
What food item did Mr. Rabbit bring?
a. Acorn muffins
b. Carrot salad
c. Blackberry tart
d. Berry pies
What did Poppy suggest Mr. Ant do next time?
a. Stay at the anthill.
b. Ask to join the picnic.
c. Host his own picnic.
d. Bring his own carrots.
How did Mr. Ant feel about being included?
a. Guilty
b. Happy and welcomed
c. Embarrassed
d. Indifferent
What phrase best describes the picnic?
a. A day to forget
b. A disaster from start to finish
c. A picnic to remember
d. An argument waiting to happen

Answers: Multiple-Choice Questions

a - It was an annual tradition.
a - Benny saw the empty carrot bowl.
c - Mr. Rabbit
b - He had brought carrot salad.
b - A trail of tiny footprints.
c - To the anthill
b - He wasn’t invited to the picnic.
b - They listened to his explanation.
b - Don’t jump to conclusions.
b - Shared them with Mr. Ant.
b - Mrs. Fox
b - Carrot salad
b - Ask to join the picnic.
b - Happy and welcomed
c - A picnic to remember

Thought-Provoking Question

Do you think the animals were too quick to blame Mr. Rabbit, or was it understandable given the circumstances?
Why?