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Reader’s Theater Editions are free scripts for reader’s theater (or readers theatre) adapted from stories written by Aaron Shepard and others—mostly humor, fantasy, and world tales from a variety of cultures. A full range of reading levels is included, with scripts aimed mostly at ages 8–15. The scripts may be freely copied, shared, and performed for any noncommercial purpose, except the texts may not be posted publicly without permission.As noted in the listing, some scripts come also in a “Team Version,” scripted for four readers with at least two females. These scripts are offered primarily for smaller groups such as after-school programs and homeschoolers, as well as for college and professional readers.
Special features are available for many scripts. These can include printable color posters, photo features, audio recordings, extended author notes, fun writing exercises, and additional story formats. To find these features, follow links to Aaron’s Extras. For info on children’s books adapted for these scripts, follow “About the Book” links or click or tap on the book covers.
For email notice of new scripts, subscribe to Aaron’s Update. If you are a publisher or other content acquirer, please see also Aaron’s Rights & Permissions.
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Besides browsing the detailed menu below, you can use Aaron’s Indexes to find stories, scripts, and picture books by title, age, genre, theme, country or region, historical period, ethnic group, religion, mythology, holiday, or activity. Or you can just run a search. |
About Reader’s Theater Editions
Tips on using the scripts. Please read this!
RTE #1 ~ The Legend of Lightning Larry 
By Aaron Shepard
A cowboy with a huge smile, a gun that shoots bolts of light, and a hankering for lemonade takes on Evil‑Eye McNeevil’s outlaw gang.
GENRE: Fables (original), tall tales, humor
CULTURE: American (Western frontier)
THEME: Peacemaking
READERS: 22 or more
READER AGES: 7–12
LENGTH: 8 minutes
Also in Readers on Stage and Stories on Stage.
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Watch the
Chamber Readers! (8 minutes) Having trouble? Try this.
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RTE #2 ~ The Legend of Slappy Hooper: An American Tall Tale 
Told by Aaron Shepard
Slappy is the world’s biggest, fastest, bestest sign painter, but he’s too good—his pictures keep coming to life.
GENRE: Tall tales, folktales
CULTURE: American
THEME: Pursuit of excellence
READERS: 8 or more
READER AGES: 8–13
LENGTH: 10 minutesAlternate Versions — | Team (4 readers) |
Also in Folktales on Stage.
RTE #3 ~ The Princess and the God: A Tale of Ancient India 
Told by Aaron Shepard
The princess Savitri must use all her wit and will to save her husband from the god of death.
GENRE: Myths, folktales, legends
CULTURE: Asian Indian (ancient), Hindu
THEME: Heroines, determination
READERS: 11
READER AGES: 9–15
LENGTH: 10 minutesAlternate Versions — | Team (4 readers) |
Translations — | Traditional Chinese |
Also in Folktales on Stage and Stories on Stage.
RTE #4 ~ Resthaven
By Nancy Farmer
Adapted from The Ear, the Eye, and the ArmTendai and his sister Rita get a taste of traditional village life, but only one of them is pleased.
GENRE: Science fiction
CULTURE: African (future), Zimbabwean
THEME: Traditional values
READERS: 6 or more
READER AGES: 12–15
LENGTH: 10 minutes
RTE #5 ~ The War Prayer
By Mark Twain
A mysterious stranger attends a church service on the eve of war.
GENRE: Fables (original), satire
CULTURE: American (early 20th century)
THEME: War and peace; patriotism
READERS: 8 or more
READER AGES: 12 and up
LENGTH: 5 minutesAlternate Versions — | Team (4 readers) |
RTE #6 ~ The Enchanted Storks: A Tale of Bagdad
Told by Aaron Shepard
The Calif and his Vizier try a spell that changes them into storks, then find they can’t change back.
GENRE: Fairy tales, folktales
CULTURE: Iraqi, Middle Eastern
THEME: Recklessness
READERS: 13 or more
READER AGES: 10–15
LENGTH: 14 minutes
Also in Folktales on Stage.
RTE #7 ~ The Gifts of the Grasscutter: A Tale of India and Pakistan
Told by Aaron Shepard
Wali Dad, a humble grasscutter, never asked for wealth—so why can’t he give it away?
GENRE: Folktales
CULTURE: Asian Indian, Pakistani
THEME: Generosity
READERS: 15
READER AGES: 8–13
LENGTH: 10 minutesTranslations — | Traditional Chinese |
Also in Folktales on Stage.
RTE #8 ~ Peddler Polly and the Story Stealer
By Aaron Shepard
The storytellers of Taletown are mysteriously losing their stories, while a stranger sells “storyboxes” in the town square.
GENRE: Fables (original), humor
CULTURE: ——
THEME: Electronic entertainment
READERS: 13 or more
READER AGES: 9–12
LENGTH: 10 minutesTranslations — | Traditional Chinese |
Also in Readers on Stage.
RTE #9 ~ The Baker’s Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale
Told by Aaron Shepard
Van Amsterdam, the baker, is as honest as he can be—but he may have something left to learn.
GENRE: Legends, St. Nicholas tales
CULTURE: American (Dutch colonial)
THEME: Generosity
READERS: 6 or more
READER AGES: 8–13
LENGTH: 6 minutesAlternate Versions — | Team (4 readers) |
Translations — | Spanish | | Traditional Chinese |
Also in Readers on Stage and Folktales on Stage.
RTE #10 ~ The Battle of Song: A Northern Tale of Magic
Retold by Aaron Shepard
Excerpted, adapted from The Songs of PowerA young man faces an ancient one in a contest of magic.
GENRE: Epics, fantasy
CULTURE: Finnish
THEME: Boasting, generation gap
READERS: 8
READER AGES: 11 and up
LENGTH: 6 minutesAlternate Versions — | Team (4 readers) |
RTE #11 ~ The Calabash Kids: A Tale of Tanzania
Told by Aaron Shepard
The prayers of a lonely woman are answered when her gourds change into children.
GENRE: Folktales
CULTURE: African, Tanzanian
THEME: Name-calling
READERS: 16 or more
READER AGES: 7–11
LENGTH: 8 minutesTranslations — | Traditional Chinese |
Also in Folktales on Stage.
RTE #12 ~ The Hidden One: A Native American Legend
Told by Aaron Shepard
The invisible hunter at the end of the village is sought as husband by every village maiden—but will Little Scarface even dare to try?
GENRE: Folktales, Cinderella tales
CULTURE: Native American, Canadian
THEME: Self-esteem, heroines
READERS: 13
READER AGES: 7 and up
LENGTH: 8 minutesTranslations — | Traditional Chinese |
Also in Folktales on Stage.
RTE #13 ~ Master Maid: A Tale of Norway
Told by Aaron Shepard
When Leif goes to work for the troll, only the advice of a remarkable young woman can save him from his foolishness—if only he’ll listen!
GENRE: Folktales, tall tales
CULTURE: Norwegian
THEME: Stubbornness, heroines
READERS: 9 or more
READER AGES: 8–15
LENGTH: 12 minutesAlternate Versions — | Team (4 readers) |
Also in Folktales on Stage.
RTE #14 ~ The Sea King’s Daughter: A Russian Legend
Told by Aaron Shepard
A poor musician is invited to play in the Sea King’s palace, where he’s offered more than riches.
GENRE: Legends, folktales, epic ballads
CULTURE: Russian (medieval)
THEME: Making choices; value of arts
READERS: 9 or more
READER AGES: 10 and up
LENGTH: 10 minutesTranslations — | Traditional Chinese |
Also in Folktales on Stage.
RTE #15 ~ The Millionaire Miser: A Buddhist Fable
Told by Aaron Shepard
Sushil is so stingy, even a god takes notice.
GENRE: Fables, folktales
CULTURE: Buddhist, Asian Indian
THEME: Stinginess
READERS: 11 or more
READER AGES: 8 and up
LENGTH: 7 minutesTranslations — | Traditional Chinese |
RTE #16 ~ How Violence Is Ended: A Buddhist Legend
Told by Aaron Shepard
A prince must choose whether to heed his father’s last words or take revenge on the king who has killed both parents.
GENRE: Legends, fables, sacred stories
CULTURE: Buddhist, Asian Indian
THEME: Forgiveness
READERS: 6 or more
READER AGES: 11 and up
LENGTH: 10 minutes
RTE #17 ~ Count Alaric’s Lady
By Barbara Leonie Picard
Taken and adapted from Selected Fairy TalesA young count marries a maiden he finds in a meadow, though she can’t remember who she is or where she came from.
GENRE: Fairy tales
CULTURE: European (medieval)
THEME: Possessiveness
READERS: 7 or more
READER AGES: 14 and up
LENGTH: 14 minutes
RTE #18 ~ The Crystal Heart: A Vietnamese Legend
Told by Aaron Shepard
The mandarin’s daughter did not really see the boatman who sang from the river, but she’s sure he’s her destined love.
GENRE: Folktales
CULTURE: Vietnamese
THEME: Kindness, false imagining
READERS: 13
READER AGES: 10 and up
LENGTH: 10 minutesTranslations — | Traditional Chinese |
Also in Folktales on Stage.
RTE #19 ~ How Frog Went to Heaven: A Tale of Angola
Told by Aaron Shepard
Frog helps a young man who wants to marry the Sky Maiden.
GENRE: Folktales, myths
CULTURE: African, Angolan
THEME: Inventiveness, determination
READERS: 16 or more
READER AGES: 7–9
LENGTH: 8 minutesTranslations — | Traditional Chinese |
RTE #20 ~ The Gifts of Friday Eve: A Tale of Iran
Told by Aaron Shepard
Though a woodcutter’s luck could hardly be worse, help is closer than he knows.
GENRE: Folktales, fables
CULTURE: Iranian (Persian), Middle Eastern
THEME: Thankfulness, sharing
READERS: 10
READER AGES: 9–13
LENGTH: 8 minutes
RTE #21 ~ Help! Hilary! Help!
By Aaron Shepard
Hilary gets the chance to show just how helpful she can be.
GENRE: Tall tales, humor
CULTURE: American
THEME: Helpfulness, heroines
READERS: 12 or more
READER AGES: 6–9
LENGTH: 3 minutes
RTE #22 ~ Which Shoes Do You Choose?
By Aaron Shepard
With so many kinds of shoes at the store, how can Katie ever choose?
GENRE: Humor, poetry
CULTURE: American
THEME: Choices in life
READERS: 12
READER AGES: 6–9
LENGTH: 3 minutes
RTE #23 ~ Casey at the Bat
By Ernest Lawrence Thayer
It looked extremely rocky for the Mudville nine that day. . . .
GENRE: Poetry
CULTURE: American (late 19th century)
THEME: Hubris
READERS: 8 or more
READER AGES: 9 and up
LENGTH: 4 minutes
RTE #24 ~ Forty Fortunes: A Tale of Iran
Told by Aaron Shepard
When a young man’s wife makes him pose as a fortuneteller, his success is unpredictable.
GENRE: Folktales
CULTURE: Iranian (Persian), Middle Eastern
THEME: Pretension
READERS: 11 or more
READER AGES: 8 and up
LENGTH: 10 minutesTranslations — | Traditional Chinese |
Also in Folktales on Stage.
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Watch the
Chamber Readers! (12 minutes) Having trouble? Try this.
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RTE #25 ~ When the Twins Went to War: A Fable of Far East Russia
Told by Aaron Shepard
The war-loving men of the Beldy clan are once more off to battle—but why are the wise young twins going with them?
GENRE: Folktales, fables, legends
CULTURE: Russian (Far East, native)
THEME: Militarism
READERS: 14 or more
READER AGES: 9–12
LENGTH: 10 minutes
RTE #26 ~ The Magic Brocade: A Tale of China
Told by Aaron Shepard
To save his mother’s life, a young man must retrieve her weaving from the fairies of Sun Palace.
GENRE: Folktales
CULTURE: Chinese
THEME: Following dreams; creative process
READERS: 9 or more
READER AGES: 8–15
LENGTH: 12 minutesAlternate Versions — | Team (4 readers) |
Translations — | Traditional Chinese |
Also in Folktales on Stage.
RTE #27 ~ Master Man: A Tall Tale of Nigeria
Told by Aaron Shepard
Shadusa thinks he’s the strongest man in the world—till he meets the real Master Man.
GENRE: Tall tales, folktales
CULTURE: West African, Nigerian
THEME: Machismo
READERS: 12 or more
READER AGES: 8 and up
LENGTH: 10 minutes
Also in Folktales on Stage.
RTE #28 ~ Mop Top: A Tale of Norway
Told by Aaron Shepard
A wild princess must get back her sister’s head from a gang of troll girls.
GENRE: Folktales, tall tales
CULTURE: Norwegian
THEME: Heroines
READERS: 16 or more
READER AGES: 8–12
LENGTH: 10 minutes
RTE #29 ~ The Borrower and the Boy
By Mary Norton
Adapted from The BorrowersYoung Arrietty knows that nothing worse can happen to a Borrower than to be seen by a human bean—and now she’s talking to one!
GENRE: Fantasy
CULTURE: British (English)
THEME: Points of view
READERS: 5
READER AGES: 11–14
LENGTH: 10 minutesAlternate Versions — | Team (4 readers) |
RTE #30 ~ The Boy Who Wanted the Willies
Told by Aaron Shepard
Hans has never in his life been frightened—but a night in a haunted castle should finally give him his chance.
GENRE: Folktales, tall tales, ghost stories
CULTURE: German, European
THEME: Fearlessness
READERS: 19 or more
READER AGES: 8–12
LENGTH: 10 minutesAlternate Versions — | Team (4 readers) |
Also in Folktales on Stage.
RTE #31 ~ The Princess Mouse: A Tale of Finland
Told by Aaron Shepard
When a young man seeks a wife by way of family tradition, he finds himself engaged to a mouse.
GENRE: Folktales
CULTURE: Finnish
THEME: Kindness, humility, integrity
READERS: 8 or more
READER AGES: 8–12
LENGTH: 12 minutes
Also in Folktales on Stage.
RTE #32 ~ Three Sideways Stories From Wayside School
By Louis Sachar
Adapted from Sideways Stories from Wayside SchoolSome say the teachers and students at Wayside School are strange and silly—and so will you!
GENRE: Humor
CULTURE: American
THEME: Non-linear thinking; quality vs. quantity
READERS: 9
READER AGES: 8–12
LENGTH: 12 minutes
Also in Stories on Stage.
RTE #33 ~ More Than a Match
By Aaron Shepard
When the king’s most powerful warriors are defeated by a giant who’s blocking the road, the Wise One must find a way past.
GENRE: Fables (original), humor
CULTURE: ——
THEME: Means and ends, peacemaking
READERS: 15
READER AGES: 8–12
LENGTH: 10 minutes
RTE #34 ~ The Christmas Truce
By Aaron Shepard
A true story of peace in the midst of World War I.
GENRE: Historical fiction
CULTURE: European (World War I)
THEME: War and peace
READERS: 4
READER AGES: 11 and up
LENGTH: 12 minutesAlternate Versions — | Team (4 readers) |
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Watch the
Chamber Readers! (11 minutes) Having trouble? Try this.
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RTE #35 ~ The Adventures of Mouse Deer: Favorite Folk Tales of Southeast Asia
By Aaron Shepard
Mouse Deer is small, and many animals want to eat him—but first they have to catch him!
GENRE: Folktales, trickster tales
CULTURE: Indonesian, Malaysian
THEME: Wits vs. power
READERS: 9 or more
READER AGES: 7–10
LENGTH: 20 minutes (3 + 7 + 4 + 6 + 1)Alternate Versions — | Team (4 readers) |
Also in Folktales on Stage.
RTE #36 ~ King o’ the Cats
Told by Aaron Shepard
Peter is notorious for telling wild stories—so who will believe him now, with his crazy claims about cats?
GENRE: Folktales, tall tales, ghost stories
CULTURE: British (English)
THEME: Credibility
READERS: 9 to 13 or more
READER AGES: 8–12
LENGTH: 10 minutesAlternate Versions — | Team (4 readers) |
RTE #37 ~ Monkey Lives!: A Superhero Tale of China
Retold by Aaron Shepard
Monkey is taken off to the land of death—but not for long.
GENRE: Epics, fantasy
CULTURE: Chinese
THEME: Bureaucracy
READERS: 6 or more
READER AGES: 10 and up
LENGTH: 5 minutesAlternate Versions — | Team (4 readers) |
RTE #38 ~ Captain Cully
By Peter S. Beagle
Adapted from The Last UnicornA magician on a quest is waylaid by a band of not-quite-legendary outlaws.
GENRE: Fantasy
CULTURE: English (medieval)
THEME: Idealism
READERS: 8 or more
READER AGES: 14 and up
LENGTH: 16 minutes
Also in Stories on Stage (1st Edition).
RTE #39 ~ The Giant’s Wife: A Tall Tale of Ireland
Told by William Carleton
When Fin MacCool is threatened by another giant, only his wife’s wits might save him.
GENRE: Folktales, tall tales, legends
CULTURE: Irish
THEME: Wits vs. power, heroines
READERS: 7
READER AGES: 9–15
LENGTH: 10 minutesAlternate Versions — | Team (4 readers) |
RTE #40 ~ One‑Eye! Two‑Eyes! Three‑Eyes!: A Very Grimm Fairy Tale
Told by Aaron Shepard
Two‑Eyes is different from her sisters and others, because she has just two eyes.
GENRE: Folktales
CULTURE: German
THEME: Being different
READERS: 9
READER AGES: 9–12
LENGTH: 12 minutes
RTE #41 ~ Quackling: A Not-Too-Grimm Fairy Tale
Told by Aaron Shepard
After waiting in vain for the King to repay a loan, Quackling wants his money back.
GENRE: Folktales
CULTURE: France
THEME: Benefits of friendship
READERS: 12
READER AGES: 7–9
LENGTH: 5 minutesAlternate Versions — | Team (4 readers) |
RTE #42 ~ Skeeter and the Weasels
By Aaron Shepard
One day Skeeter noticed there were a lot of weasels.
GENRE: Humor
CULTURE: ——
THEME: Conspiracy theories
READERS: 9 or more
READER AGES: 9–12
LENGTH: 10 minutesAlternate Versions — | Team (4 readers) |
RTE #43 ~ The Mice Before Christmas
By Anne L. Watson
What else happened on the night before Christmas?
GENRE: Poetry
CULTURE: ——
THEME: Christmas spirit
READERS: 8 or 9
READER AGES: 9–11
LENGTH: 7 minutes
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For more scripts, see About Aaron’s RT Books.
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