This dataset consists of various folk tales presented through different types of puppetry across different cultures. Each entry provides insights into the story, its main characters, and its cultural origin, reflecting the rich tapestry of global storytelling traditions.
| Culture | Puppet Type | Folk Tale Title | Main Characters | Summary | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian | Shadow Puppet | The Ramayana | Rama, Sita, Ravana | The epic tale of Rama's rescue of Sita from the demon king Ravana. | India |
| Indonesian | Wayang Kulit | The Story of Pati Gendeng | Pati Gendeng, Semar | The adventures of the humorous servant Semar and his companions. | Indonesia |
| Turkish | Karagöz | The Keloğlan Stories | Keloğlan, The Sultan | The funny tales of Keloğlan and his clever strategies against the Sultan. | Turkey |
| Chinese | Bunraku | The Tale of the White Snake | Bai Suzhen, Xu Xian | A love story between a human and a snake spirit, exploring themes of love and betrayal. | China |
| Japanese | Bunraku | Momotaro | Momotaro, Oni | The tale of a boy born from a peach who fights demons with the help of animals. | Japan |
| Romanian | Marionette | The Legend of Dracula | Vlad the Impaler, Mina Harker | The eerie tales surrounding the historical figure Vlad and his transformation into Dracula. | Romania |
| Mexican | Marionette | La Llorona | La Llorona, Children | The story of a weeping woman who roams near rivers, searching for her lost children. | Mexico |
| Moroccan | Hand Puppet | The Tale of Badr al-Budur | Badr al-Budur, Prince Ahmed | A love story intertwined with magic and adventure, revolving around the prince and his beloved. | Morocco |
| Greek | Shadow Puppet | The Clever Farmer | Farmer, King | A story of wit where a farmer outsmarts a greedy king. | Greece |
| American | Sock Puppet | The Tortoise and the Hare | Tortoise, Hare | A fable teaching that slow and steady wins the race. | USA |
| Indian | Marionette | Birbal and Akbar | Birbal, Akbar | Humorous stories highlighting the cleverness of Birbal in the court of Akbar. | India |
| Italian | Marionette | Pinocchio | Pinocchio, Geppetto, Jiminy Cricket | The adventures of a wooden puppet longing to become a real boy. | Italy |
| Russian | Rod Puppet | The Scarlet Flower | Girl, Prince, Witch | A story about unconditional love and the trials to gain true happiness. | Russia |
| Swedish | Hand Puppet | The Princess and the Pea | Princess, Queen, King | A tale illustrating true nobility and sensitivity through a simple test. | Sweden |
| Finnish | Shadow Puppet | The Seven Brothers | Brothers, Aino, Antti | The story of seven brothers and their trials in life, exploring brotherhood and love. | Finland |
| Spanish | Marionette | Don Quixote | Don Quixote, Sancho Panza | The adventures of a nobleman who becomes a self-styled knight. | Spain |
| Brazilian | Marionette | The Legend of Iara | Iara, Sailor | The myth of a mermaid who lures sailors to their doom, emphasizing the power of nature. | Brazil |
| African | Tribal Puppet | Sunu and the Tortoise | Sunu, Tortoise, Lion | A moral story teaching the value of wisdom and humility against pride. | Africa |
| Thai | Shadow Puppet | The Legend of King Naresuan | King Naresuan, Burmese King | The heroic escapades of a king fighting for his kingdom's independence. | Thailand |
| Peruvian | Marionette | The Tale of the Inca Princess | Inca Princess, Spanish Conquistador | A love story challenged by cultural conflict and power struggles. | Peru |
| Egyptian | Puppet Show | The Story of Aladdin | Aladdin, Genie, Princess Jasmine | A timeless tale of magic, adventure, and love. | Egypt |
| Scottish | Hand Puppet | Haggis the Hero | Haggis, Highland Warrior | A humorous tale of a haggis who becomes a warrior to save his friends. | Scotland |
| Filipino | Shadow Puppet | Tale of the Monkey and the Turtle | Monkey, Turtle | A fable illustrating cunning and wit, demonstrating the triumphs of resourcefulness. | Philippines |
| Javanese | Wayang Golek | The Adventures of Bandung Bondowoso | Bandung Bondowoso, Roro Jonggrang | A tale of love and challenge involving a cursed princess. | Java |
| Vietnamese | Rod Puppet | The Legend of Lac Long Quan | Lac Long Quan, Au Co | The myth of how the Vietnamese people originated from a dragon and a fairy. | Vietnam |
| Welsh | String Puppet | The Mabinogion Tales | Pwyll, Branwen | Mythical tales from the Welsh tradition focusing on gods and heroes. | Wales |
| Czech | Marionette | The Good Soldier Švejk | Švejk, Corporals | A satirical tale reflecting on war through the eyes of a bumbling soldier. | Czech Republic |
| Norwegian | Hand Puppet | The Three Billy Goats Gruff | Billy Goats, Troll | A classic tale about bravery and cunning against an obstacle. | Norway |
| South African | Traditional Puppet | Tale of the Clever Jackal | Jackal, Lion, Hyena | A story celebrating the cleverness of the jackal while teaching valuable life lessons. | South Africa |
| Belgian | Marionette | The Adventures of Tintin | Tintin, Snowy, Captain Haddock | A tale of adventure and exploration by a young reporter and his companions. | Belgium |
| Russian | Rod Puppet | Koshchei the Deathless | Koshchei, Princess, Hero | A heroic tale involving a villain who can't be killed and the love that conquers all. | Russia |
| Hungarian | Puppet Play | The Miracle of Saint Nicholas | Saint Nicholas, Children | A Christian story about generosity and miracles performed by Saint Nicholas. | Hungary |
| Danish | Hand Puppet | The Little Mermaid | Mermaid, Prince, Sea Witch | A tragic story about love and sacrifice beneath the waves. | Denmark |
| Syrian | Shadow Puppet | The Legend of Sinbad | Sinbad, Jafar | Epic voyages of Sinbad and his adventures across the seas. | Syria |
| Irish | Marionette | The Leprechaun's Treasure | Leprechaun, Farmer | A whimsical story about a farmer's encounter with a mischievous leprechaun. | Ireland |
| Portuguese | Shadow Puppet | The Story of Fado | Singer, Audience | A tale that captures the essence of Portuguese culture through melancholy songs. | Portugal |
| British | Punch and Judy | Mr. Punch | Mr. Punch, Judy | Classic tales of Mr. Punch and his wife that often involve slapstick humor. | UK |
| American | Shadow Puppet | The Legend of Sleepy Hollow | Ichabod Crane, Headless Horseman | A spooky tale of a headless horseman and a frightened schoolteacher. | USA |
| New Zealand | Kapa Haka | The Legend of Māui | Māui, The Sun | The tale of Māui's quest to slow down the sun and win more daylight for his people. | New Zealand |
| Bangladeshi | Marionette | The Tale of the Golden Fish | Fisherman, Fish, King | A fantastical story about a fisherman who catches a golden fish that grants wishes. | Bangladesh |
| Indian | Rod Puppet | Tenali Raman | Tenali Raman, King Krishnadevaraya | Humorous tales of the clever improvised solutions of the witty Tenali Raman. | India |
| Algerian | Hand Puppet | The Story of Aisha | Aisha, Djinn | Aisha's adventures and her encounters with magical beings in the desert. | Algeria |
| Indigenous American | Traditional Puppet | Coyote and the Stars | Coyote, Stars | Explaining the creation of stars through Coyote's mischief and adventures. | Indigenous USA |
| Lebanese | Shadow Puppet | The Legend of the Cedar Tree | Cedar Tree, People | A tale of how the famous Lebanese cedar tree became a symbol of resilience and hope. | Lebanon |
| Australian | Marionette | The Rainbow Serpent | Rainbow Serpent, Aboriginal Tribes | A creation story of the land and Aboriginal culture, depicting the Rainbow Serpent. | Australia |
| Nigerian | Traditional Puppet | The Tale of Anansi | Anansi, Spider, Man | The clever spider Anansi and his adventures that teach moral lessons. | Nigeria |
| Mexican | Marionette | El Hijo Change | Boy, Father | A story that emphasizes the connection between father and son through tradition. | Mexico |
| Sri Lankan | Shadow Puppet | The Tale of Agasthi | Agasthi, Gods | The myth about how Agasthi brought civilization to Sri Lanka and wisdom to the people. | Sri Lanka |
| Somali | Hand Puppet | The Lion and the Mouse | Lion, Mouse | A moral story about friendship and loyalty despite size differences. | Somalia |
| Cambodian | Shadow Puppet | Reamker | Ream, Sita, Hanuman | The Cambodian version of the Ramayana with unique cultural twists. | Cambodia |
| Ukrainian | Rod Puppet | The Fairy Tale of the Lost Horse | Young Boy, Magic Horse | A story of adventure and magic as a boy searches for his lost horse. | Ukraine |
| Icelandic | Hand Puppet | The Saga of Grettir | Grettir, Trolls | An epic saga of a hero's struggles with trolls and mythical creatures. | Iceland |
| Taiwanese | Bunraku | The Love Story of Yu and Li | Yu, Li, Li's Family | A modern love story faced with cultural expectations and familial challenges. | Taiwan |
| Colombian | Marionette | The Legend of El Mohan | El Mohan, The River | The story of the spirit of a river that protects the nature and the treasures within. | Colombia |
| Fijian | Traditional Puppet | The Tale of the Kava Root | Kava Root, Chief | The myth explaining the importance of Kava in Fijian culture and ceremonies. | Fiji |
| Vietnamese | Rod Puppet | The Legend of Bánh Chưng | Prince Lang Liêu, King | The tale explaining the origins of a traditional rice cake important for Tet celebrations. | Vietnam |
| Bulgarian | Shadow Puppet | The Twelve Months | Girl, Twelve Months | A moral tale about kindness rewarded with help from the twelve personifications of months. | Bulgaria |
| Swahili | Traditional Puppet | The Tale of Mzee and the Lion | Mzee, Lion, Tortoise | A wisdom story about an old man who uses intelligence to outsmart a lion. | Tanzania |
| Latvian | Hand Puppet | The Sun and the Moon | Sun, Moon, People | An allegorical tale about the relationships and balance of day and night. | Latvia |
| Angolan | Traditional Puppet | The Story of Nganga | Nganga, Spirits | A tale about a healer who protects his village using ancient wisdom against evil spirits. | Angola |
| Japanese | Bunraku | Urashima Taro | Urashima Taro, Turtle | A tale of a young fisherman who saves a turtle and visits an undersea kingdom. | Japan |
| Lebanese | Shadow Puppet | The Girl Who Spoke to the Stars | Girl, Stars | A poetic story about a girl seeking wisdom from the stars and her ancient roots. | Lebanon |
| Serbian | Rod Puppet | The Tale of Kraljević Marko | Kraljević Marko, Fairy | The legendary adventures of Marko, a Serbian hero endowed with immense strength. | Serbia |
| American | Sock Puppet | Goldilocks and the Three Bears | Goldilocks, Bears | The story of a girl who intrudes into the house of bears and learns a lesson about respect. | USA |
| Indian | Marionette | The Story of the Hen Who Laid Golden Eggs | Hen, Farmer | A moral tale about greed and contentment told through a farmer's hen. | India |
| Indonesian | Marionette | The Tale of Malin Kundang | Malin Kundang, Mother | A story about a son who forgets his mother and faces consequences for his actions. | Indonesia |
| Bangladeshi | Rod Puppet | The Brave Little Parrot | Parrot, Lion | A fable showcasing courage as a small parrot helps save animals from a lion. | Bangladesh |
| Punjabi | Traditional Puppet | Heer Ranjha | Heer, Ranjha | The tragic love story of Heer and Ranjha that highlights cultural conflicts and societal norms. | Punjab |
| Filipino | Shadow Puppet | The Legend of Maria Makiling | Maria Makiling, Man-Tree | A mythical tale of a diwata (fairy) who protects the mountains and its people. | Philippines |
| Nepalese | Marionette | The Story of a Clever Rabbit | Rabbit, Wolf | A fable illustrating cunning as a rabbit outsmarts a larger wolf. | Nepal |
| Malaysian | Shadow Puppet | The Legend of Hang Tuah | Hang Tuah, Sultan | The legendary tale of a warrior and his loyalty to the Sultan and his country. | Malaysia |
| Sri Lankan | Rod Puppet | The Tale of the Singing Fish | Singing Fish, Fisherman | The story about a fisherman who tries to capture a magical singing fish and learns a valuable lesson. | Sri Lanka |
| Nigerian | Traditional Puppet | The Tale of the Talking Drum | Talking Drum, Village | The story emphasizes the importance of storytelling and culture in African communities. | Nigeria |
| Algerian | Marionette | The Brave Pigeon | Pigeon, Hawk | A tale about a little pigeon that bravely confronts a hawk to save her friends. | Algeria |
| Portuguese | Rod Puppet | The Tale of the Rooster | Rooster, Fox | A classic fable about a clever rooster outsmarting a fox to save himself. | Portugal |
| Brazilian | Traditional Puppet | The Tale of Curupira | Curupira, Forest Creatures | The guardian of the forest explains the importance of preserving nature. | Brazil |
| Moroccan | Shadow Puppet | The Tale of the Seven Adventures | Adventurer, Genie | A humorous adventure through different lands with twists of fate and magic. | Morocco |
| Kenyan | Traditional Puppet | The Tale of the Maasai Warrior | Maasai Warrior, Lion | A story demonstrating bravery as the warrior confronts a fierce lion. | Kenya |
| American | Puppet Show | The Adventures of Peter Rabbit | Peter Rabbit, Mr. McGregor | The mischievous adventures of a rabbit and the troubles he encounters with a farmer. | USA |
| Botswanan | Traditional Puppet | The Lion and the Hare | Lion, Hare | A fable teaching that even the smallest can outsmart the mightiest. | Botswana |
| Hungarian | Rod Puppet | The Legend of the White Stag | Stag, King | A mythical tale about a white stag that leads the way to victory and glory. | Hungary |
| Chinese | Shadow Puppet | The Tale of the Dragon King's Daughter | Dragon King, Daughter | A story about the daughter who saves her kingdom through bravery and cunning. | China |
| Belgian | Marionette | The Tale of the Three Brothers | Three Brothers, Sorcerer | A story of three brothers who face challenges together, growing in wisdom and character. | Belgium |
| Puerto Rican | Traditional Puppet | La Cucaracha | Cucaracha, People | A playful song about a cockroach that reflects on the joys and struggles of life. | Puerto Rico |
| Scottish | Hand Puppet | The Tale of Tam O'Shanter | Tam, Meg | The tale of Tam's drunken escapades leading him into supernatural events. | Scotland |
| Samoan | Cultural Puppet | The Legend of Maui | Maui, Fish | The story of how Maui fished up the islands and molded them from the sea. | Samoa |
| Yemeni | Shadow Puppet | The Story of the Queen of Sheba | Queen of Sheba, King Solomon | The tale of the wise queen and her legendary visit to King Solomon. | Yemen |
| Singaporean | Rod Puppet | The Tale of Singapura | Singapura, Lion | A folklore explaining the origins of the island of Singapore through a lion's sighting. | Singapore |
| Egyptian | Hand Puppet | The Tale of Osiris and Isis | Osiris, Isis, Seth | A mythological story that teaches about love, loss, and regeneration. | Egypt |
| Italian | Marionette | The Tale of the Three Sisters | Three Sisters, Prince | The tale of three sisters who overcome challenges to win the love of a prince. | Italy |
| Estonian | Traditional Puppet | The Tale of the Singing Nightingale | Nightingale, King | A story about the importance of nature and ecology through the voice of the nightingale. | Estonia |
| Tanzanian | Shadow Puppet | The Legend of the Baobab Tree | Baobab Tree, Animals | A tribal tale that illustrates the wisdom and importance of nature in African lore. | Tanzania |
| Jordanian | Rod Puppet | The Tale of the Old Lantern | Old Lantern, Boy | A charming story about a boy who discovers wonders with an old lantern. | Jordan |
| Taiwanese | Bunraku | Story of the Toad King | Toad King, Princess | A whimsical tale of a toad who becomes king and searches for true love. | Taiwan |
| Vietnamese | Marionette | The Legend of Trống Đồng | Trống Đồng, Ancestor Spirits | A story that reflects on the ancestry of the Vietnamese people and their traditions. | Vietnam |
| Laotian | Hand Puppet | The Tale of the Golden Box | Old Man, Golden Box | A story about the rewards of wisdom and generosity. | Laos |
| Barbadian | Shadow Puppet | The Tale of the Island's Spirit | Spirit, Fisherman | A folklore about the spirit of the island protecting its resources. | Barbados |
| Zambian | Traditional Puppet | The Trickster Hare | Hare, Lion | A tale depicting the cleverness of a hare outsmarting dangerous predators. | Zambia |
| Malawian | Rod Puppet | The Tale of the Clever Chameleon | Chameleon, Lion | A story of cleverness and survival as the chameleon uses its wits against the lion. | Malawi |
| Angolan | Traditional Puppet | The Story of the Wise Monkey | Monkey, Farmer | A tale about a wise monkey who helps a farmer solve his problems using intelligence. | Angola |
| Maltese | Puppet Show | The Tale of a Knight | Knight, Dragon, Maiden | An adventurous tale of a knight saving a maiden from a dragon, capturing the essence of heroism. | Malta |
| Ghanaian | Traditional Puppet | Kwaku Ananse and the Sky God | Kwaku Ananse, Sky God | The tale of a trickster spider who challenges the sky god and learns valuable life lessons. | Ghana |
| Bangladeshi | Hand Puppet | Story of the Clever Maid | Maid, Master | A humorous story of a maid who outsmarts her rich master with her intelligence. | Bangladesh |
| Inuit | Traditional Puppet | The Tale of the Whale and the Sea | Whale, Sea, Fisherman | A tale of respect and balance with nature through the relationship between whales and fishermen. | Inuit |
| Tokelauan | Marionette | The Tale of the Coral Triangle | Coral, Fish | A story representing the significance of coral reefs and marine life in Pacific culture. | Tokelau |
| Salvadoran | Hand Puppet | The Legend of El Espirito Santo | Espirito Santo, Fisherman | A myth about the spirit protecting the fishermen from danger during their travels. | El Salvador |