The Chocolate Fountain

The small island town was unrecognizable after the storm. Homes had been destroyed, trees uprooted, and the community was left struggling to survive. Resources were scarce, and the only store on the island offered bartered goods—bare essentials traded for what little people had left. For Adeline, eight years old and full of curiosity, and her little brother Jonathan, six years old and bursting with energy, the hardships didn’t dull their imaginations.

Their parents, Maria and Paul, worked tirelessly to keep the family afloat. Paul helped rebuild damaged homes while Maria worked long hours at the island's trading store. Uncle Leo, the family’s storyteller, kept everyone’s spirits high with tales of adventure and resilience.

But it was Adeline and Jonathan who gave the town hope in the simplest of ways.

A Chocolate Fountain in the Ruins

The centerpiece of the town square was the old fountain, now spewing dirty brown water. Once a symbol of beauty and life, it had become a reminder of the storm’s destruction. But to Adeline and Jonathan, it was something entirely different.

“It’s not a fountain of dirty water,” Adeline declared one day, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “It’s a chocolate fountain! Look at it—can’t you just smell the chocolate?”

Jonathan jumped in, his excitement contagious. “And these rocks are chocolate chips!” he said, scooping a handful from the ground.

Other children, initially skeptical, gathered around. “If these are chocolate chips, what’s this?” one boy asked, holding up a crumpled leaf.

“Lettuce for the chocolate salad,” Adeline said without missing a beat.

The children laughed, their imaginations catching fire. They began “harvesting” chocolate chips, “decorating” cookies with flowers, and building imaginary feasts from fallen branches and leaves. For a while, the hardship of their world faded into the background.

The Grown-Ups Take Notice

At first, the adults watched from a distance, their faces etched with worry and fatigue. But as the laughter of the children echoed across the square, something changed. Parents smiled for the first time in weeks. Paul leaned over to Maria as they watched Adeline and Jonathan lead their friends in an elaborate game of “baking.”

“Those two,” Paul said, shaking his head in wonder. “They’ve got more imagination than I’ve seen in a lifetime.”

Maria nodded, her expression softening. “Sometimes, kids see what we can’t.”

Uncle Leo, ever the optimist, joined the children. “I declare this the Great Chocolate Festival of the Island!” he announced dramatically, prompting cheers from the group.

A Sweet Surprise

Late one evening, as Adeline and Jonathan slept, Maria sat at the trading store. On the counter, wrapped in a worn cloth, was her most precious possession—a gold necklace passed down from her grandmother. She hesitated for a moment, her fingers tracing the delicate chain, before sliding it across the counter to the storekeeper.

“I need chocolate,” she whispered.

The storekeeper looked at her, understanding her sacrifice, and handed her a small bag of precious chocolate chips. “This is all I have,” he said gently.

Maria thanked him, tears in her eyes. She spent that night carefully baking four small chocolate chip cookies.

The next morning, she placed the cookies on a plate and set them on the table. When Adeline and Jonathan woke up, they gasped.

“Is this real?” Jonathan asked, wide-eyed.

Maria smiled. “It’s real, and it’s yours.”

The family sat together, savoring each bite. It wasn’t much, but it felt like a feast. For a moment, the storm, the struggle, and the scarcity faded away.

Adeline grinned at Jonathan as they nibbled their cookies. “See? The chocolate fountain is real!”

Jonathan laughed, crumbs falling from his mouth. “I knew it all along!”

The room filled with laughter, a sound that reminded them all of what truly mattered: love, resilience, and the ability to find joy, even in the darkest of times.

Phrasal Verbs & Example Sentences

Look after – To take care of someone or something.

  • Example: “Maria and Paul worked tirelessly to look after their family.”

Set up – To arrange or establish something.

  • Example: “The children set up an imaginary bakery near the fountain.”

Catch on – To understand or start participating.

  • Example: “The other children quickly caught on to the game.”

Give away – To part with something valuable

  • Example: “Maria decided to give away her grandmother’s necklace.”

Cheer up – To make someone feel happier.

  • Example: “Adeline and Jonathan’s games cheered up the entire town.”

 

Phrasal Verbs

Fill in the Blank with Phrasal Verbs

  1. Maria worked hard to ________ her family.

  2. The kids decided to ________ their imaginary bakery near the fountain.

  3. The adults ________ to the children’s game and joined in the fun.

  4. Maria had to ________ her necklace to get chocolate.

  5. The children’s laughter helped ________ the gloomy mood.

 

Answers: Phrasal Verbs

  1. Look after

  2. Set up

  3. Caught on

  4. Give away

  5. Cheer up

Idioms & Example Sentences

See the silver lining – To find something positive in a bad situation.

  • Example: “The children helped the town see the silver lining after the storm.”

Weather the storm – To endure a difficult situation.

  • Example: “The family worked together to weather the storm.”

A ray of sunshine – Something that brings happiness.

  • Example: “Adeline and Jonathan were a ray of sunshine for the town.”

Hit rock bottom – To reach the lowest point.

  • Example: “The storm made the town feel like they’d hit rock bottom.” 

Make the most of it – To use what you have to the fullest advantage.

  • Example: “The children made the most of their limited resources.”

 

Idiom Quiz

Fill in the Blank with Idioms

  1. The kids helped the town ________ after the storm.

  2. The family had to ________ together to survive.

  3. Adeline and Jonathan were ________ for the struggling townspeople.

  4. After the storm, it felt like the town had ________.

  5. Despite having little, the children decided to ________.

 

Answers: Idioms

  1. See the silver lining

  2. Weather the storm

  3. A ray of sunshine

  4. Hit rock bottom

  5. Make the most of it

Multiple-Choice Questions

Circle the correct answer.

  1. What was the town struggling with after the storm?
    a. A drought
    b. Financial crisis and resource scarcity
    c. A fire
    d. A power outage

  2. What did Adeline and Jonathan imagine the fountain was?
    a. A treasure chest
    b. A chocolate fountain
    c. A magic spring
    d. A wishing well

  3. How did the children decorate their “cookies”?
    a. With real chocolate chips
    b. With rocks and leaves
    c. With sand
    d. With flowers

  4. What did Maria trade for chocolate?
    a. Her wedding ring
    b. A gold necklace
    c. Her shoes
    d. A loaf of bread

  5. What did Uncle Leo call the children’s game?
    a. A festival
    b. A feast
    c. The Great Chocolate Festival of the Island
    d. A treasure hunt

  6. Why did the adults smile at the children’s games?
    a. They were reminded of better times.
    b. They thought the children were silly.
    c. They joined in to play.
    d. They found it amusing.

  7. How did the family enjoy the chocolate?
    a. By making a cake
    b. By sharing four cookies
    c. By making hot chocolate
    d. By eating it plain

  8. What lesson does the story teach?
    a. Sharing brings people together.
    b. Imagination can bring joy in difficult times.
    c. Hard work always pays off.
    d. Always save your valuables.

  9. How did the storm impact the town?
    a. It made people kinder.
    b. It destroyed homes and resources.
    c. It brought people closer.
    d. It cleared old buildings.

  10. What does the chocolate symbolize?
    a. Wealth
    b. Love and sacrifice
    c. Imagination
    d. Hard work

 

Answers: Multiple-Choice Questions

1.       b - Financial crisis and resource scarcity

2.       b - A chocolate fountain

3.       b - With rocks and leaves

4.       b - A gold necklace

5.       c - The Great Chocolate Festival of the Island

6.       a - They were reminded of better times.

7.       b - By sharing four cookies

8.       b - Imagination can bring joy in difficult times.

9.       b - It destroyed homes and resources.

10.  b - Love and sacrifice

Thought-Provoking Question

  • How did Adeline and Jonathan’s imagination change the mood of the town, and do you think their creativity had a lasting impact on the adults?

  • Why?