Create a short 150-word story for 12 year-old ESL students based on the situation using the prompt for the ending.

Use dialogues, descriptive language, and storytelling structure. Make each story guided by emotions.

Ben said good-bye to his friends and started heading for home. He was in a great mood. He had two weeks off from school for winter break, he had just passed the test for his driver’s license, and with no homework he could hang out with his friends whenever he wanted to. Things couldn’t be better. He turned his iPod up and smiled. As he passed the last row of stores before the hill leading to his house something caught his eye at the bank. Something was sticking out of the ATM machine. As he got closer, he saw it was cash.

Ben looked around. There was nobody. Someone must have just used the machine and then forgotten to take the money. Whoever it was, was gone now. He walked over to the machine and was about to take the money out. After all, it is only sixty dollars.

Ben stood at the ATM. As the next song started playing, Ben remembered something his grandfather always said, “Every time you lie, you get closer to being a liar.” But this wasn’t the same thing. Was it?

Prompt 1: The Ethical Choice Ending

Ending: Imagine that Ben decides to do the right thing. Think about what actions he could take to ensure the money is returned to its rightful owner. What might he consider or feel as he makes this choice? Write an ending where Ben makes a responsible decision and reflect on how this affects him and the people around him.

Create a short 200-word story for 14 year-old ESL students based on the situation using the prompt for the ending.

Use dialogues, descriptive language, and storytelling structure. Make each story guided by emotions.

Ben said good-bye to his friends and started heading for home. He was in a great mood. He had two weeks off from school for winter break, he had just passed the test for his driver’s license, and with no homework he could hang out with his friends whenever he wanted to. Things couldn’t be better. He turned his iPod up and smiled. As he passed the last row of stores before the hill leading to his house something caught his eye at the bank. Something was sticking out of the ATM machine. As he got closer, he saw it was cash.

Ben looked around. There was nobody. Someone must have just used the machine and then forgotten to take the money. Whoever it was, was gone now. He walked over to the machine and was about to take the money out. After all, it is only sixty dollars.

Ben stood at the ATM. As the next song started playing, Ben remembered something his grandfather always said, “Every time you lie, you get closer to being a liar.” But this wasn’t the same thing. Was it?

Prompt 2: The Temptation Takes Over Ending

Ending: Imagine that Ben decides to keep the money for himself. Explore what motivates his choice and what the immediate and long-term consequences might be. Write an ending where Ben takes the money and think about how this affects his mood, his plans, and any future situations he might face.

Create a short 250-word story for 16 year-old ESL students based on the situation using the prompt for the ending.

Use dialogues, descriptive language, and storytelling structure. Make each story guided by emotions.

Ben said good-bye to his friends and started heading for home. He was in a great mood. He had two weeks off from school for winter break, he had just passed the test for his driver’s license, and with no homework he could hang out with his friends whenever he wanted to. Things couldn’t be better. He turned his iPod up and smiled. As he passed the last row of stores before the hill leading to his house something caught his eye at the bank. Something was sticking out of the ATM machine. As he got closer, he saw it was cash.

Ben looked around. There was nobody. Someone must have just used the machine and then forgotten to take the money. Whoever it was, was gone now. He walked over to the machine and was about to take the money out. After all, it is only sixty dollars.

Ben stood at the ATM. As the next song started playing, Ben remembered something his grandfather always said, “Every time you lie, you get closer to being a liar.” But this wasn’t the same thing. Was it?

Prompt 3: The Unexpected Twist Ending

Ending: Imagine that something unexpected happens just as Ben is about to make his decision. Perhaps someone arrives at the ATM or something unusual happens that changes the situation entirely. Write an ending where an unexpected twist forces Ben to react in a surprising way.

Use dialogues, descriptive language, and storytelling structure. Make each story guided by emotions.

Are you looking to create an engaging and emotionally driven short story for 16 year-old ESL students? Crafting a story that captures their attention and sparks their imagination can be a rewarding and impactful experience. In this article, we will explore how to write a 250-word story based on a given situation prompt, incorporating dialogues, descriptive language, and a storytelling structure that evokes emotions.

The Situation: Ben's Unexpected Discovery

Ben said good-bye to his friends and started heading for home. He was in a great mood. He had two weeks off from school for winter break, he had just passed the test for his driver’s license, and with no homework he could hang out with his friends whenever he wanted to. Things couldn’t be better. He turned his iPod up and smiled. As he passed the last row of stores before the hill leading to his house, something caught his eye at the bank. Something was sticking out of the ATM machine. As he got closer, he saw it was cash. Ben looked around. There was nobody. Someone must have just used the machine and then forgotten to take the money. Whoever it was, was gone now. He walked over to the machine and was about to take the money out. After all, it is only sixty dollars. Ben stood at the ATM. As the next song started playing, Ben remembered something his grandfather always said, “Every time you lie, you get closer to being a liar.” But this wasn’t the same thing. Was it?

The Unexpected Twist Ending: A Surprising Turn of Events

Just as Ben was about to make his decision, a sudden commotion caught his attention. A young woman rushed towards the ATM, frantically searching her pockets. "Oh no, where is it? I must have left it here!" she exclaimed, scanning the area with a worried expression. Ben's heart raced as he realized the money he was about to take belonged to her. His mind raced with conflicting thoughts - keep the money and walk away, or do the right thing and return it?
In a surprising turn of events, Ben quickly made his decision. "Excuse me, I think this belongs to you," he said, handing the money back to the woman. She gasped in relief, grateful for his honesty. As she thanked him profusely, Ben felt a sense of pride and fulfillment. He knew he had made the right choice, even when faced with temptation. Sometimes, unexpected twists can reveal our true character and morals, guiding us towards unexpected acts of kindness.
In conclusion, crafting a short story for ESL students that is both engaging and emotionally driven requires a careful balance of descriptive language, dialogues, and a compelling storyline. By incorporating unexpected twists and moral dilemmas, you can create a story that resonates with young readers and leaves a lasting impression. Embrace the power of storytelling to captivate your audience and ignite their imagination.