world cultures · Ages 6-8

Who Taught the Puppets to Blink in the Firelight?

Watching Indonesian shadow puppets, a child discovers how one storyteller can make flat figures seem brave, funny, and alive.

The whole story

1. At sunset, Sari carried her basket to the village pavilion. Tonight, a wayang kulit storyteller would perform behind a white screen.

2. Sari squeezed between the mats and sat close to the screen. She wanted to see how a puppet could become a person.

3. The puppets were flat and dark. One had a long nose, one had a round belly, and one held a shining sword.

4. The long-nosed puppet bowed. The round-bellied puppet tripped over an invisible stone, and everyone laughed.

5. Then the warrior stood before a giant gate. His knees looked steady, but his little friend hid behind him.

6. Sari held her breath. A careful turn of the storyteller's hand made the warrior lift his sword.

7. After the scene, Sari slipped behind the screen. She found the storyteller holding three puppets and tending the little lamp.

8. “Who taught them to blink?” Sari asked. The storyteller placed a puppet rod between her fingers.

9. “They do not really blink,” he said. “A storyteller gives them a turn, a pause, and a reason.”

10. Sari tried the turn. The puppet leaned forward, paused, and faced the gate. The crowd grew quiet.

11. Sari gave the warrior one small turn. His head lifted, and his shadow looked brave.

12. Then Sari tipped the round-bellied puppet toward the gate. He looked at the warrior, and the warrior looked back.

13. The puppets never truly blinked. One storyteller made flat figures seem brave, funny, and alive.

Make a story like this →