| 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 |