Aaron Shepard
Reader’s Theater Editions


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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.

Note: Bulleted links take you to different parts of this site or to different sites.


Looking for something special?
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 Book cover

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.


The Chamber Readers
Watch the
Chamber Readers!

The Legend of
Lightning Larry

(8 minutes)

Having trouble? Try this.


RTE #2 ~ The Legend of Slappy Hooper: An American Tall Tale Book cover

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 minutes

Alternate Versions — | Team (4 readers) |

Also in Folktales on Stage.


RTE #3 ~ The Princess and the God: A Tale of Ancient India Book cover

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 minutes

Alternate Versions — | Team (4 readers) |

Translations — | Traditional Chinese |

Also in Folktales on Stage and Stories on Stage.


RTE #4 ~ Resthaven Book cover

By Nancy Farmer
Adapted from The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm

Tendai 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 Book cover

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 minutes

Alternate Versions — | Team (4 readers) |


RTE #6 ~ The Enchanted Storks: A Tale of Bagdad Book cover

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 Book cover

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 minutes

Translations — | Traditional Chinese |

Also in Folktales on Stage.


RTE #8 ~ Peddler Polly and the Story Stealer Book cover

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 minutes

Translations — | Traditional Chinese |

Also in Readers on Stage.


RTE #9 ~ The Baker’s Dozen: A Saint Nicholas Tale Book cover

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 minutes

Alternate 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 Book cover

Retold by Aaron Shepard
Excerpted, adapted from The Songs of Power

A 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 minutes

Alternate Versions — | Team (4 readers) |


RTE #11 ~ The Calabash Kids: A Tale of Tanzania Book cover

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 minutes

Translations — | Traditional Chinese |

Also in Folktales on Stage.


RTE #12 ~ The Hidden One: A Native American Legend Book cover

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 minutes

Translations — | Traditional Chinese |

Also in Folktales on Stage.


RTE #13 ~ Master Maid: A Tale of Norway Book cover

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 minutes

Alternate Versions — | Team (4 readers) |

Also in Folktales on Stage.


RTE #14 ~ The Sea King’s Daughter: A Russian Legend Book cover

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 minutes

Translations — | Traditional Chinese |

Also in Folktales on Stage.


RTE #15 ~ The Millionaire Miser: A Buddhist Fable Book cover

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 minutes

Translations — | Traditional Chinese |


RTE #16 ~ How Violence Is Ended: A Buddhist Legend Book cover

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 Book cover

By Barbara Leonie Picard
Taken and adapted from Selected Fairy Tales

A 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 Book cover

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 minutes

Translations — | Traditional Chinese |

Also in Folktales on Stage.


RTE #19 ~ How Frog Went to Heaven: A Tale of Angola Book cover

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 minutes

Translations — | Traditional Chinese |


RTE #20 ~ The Gifts of Friday Eve: A Tale of Iran Book cover

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! Book cover

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? Book cover

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 Book cover

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 Book cover

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 minutes

Translations — | Traditional Chinese |

Also in Folktales on Stage.


The Chamber Readers
Watch the
Chamber Readers!

Forty Fortunes

(12 minutes)

Having trouble? Try this.


RTE #25 ~ When the Twins Went to War: A Fable of Far East Russia Book cover

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 Book cover

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 minutes

Alternate Versions — | Team (4 readers) |

Translations — | Traditional Chinese |

Also in Folktales on Stage.


RTE #27 ~ Master Man: A Tall Tale of Nigeria Book cover

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 Book cover

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 Book cover

By Mary Norton
Adapted from The Borrowers

Young 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 minutes

Alternate Versions — | Team (4 readers) |


RTE #30 ~ The Boy Who Wanted the Willies Book cover

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 minutes

Alternate Versions — | Team (4 readers) |

Also in Folktales on Stage.


RTE #31 ~ The Princess Mouse: A Tale of Finland Book cover

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 Book cover

By Louis Sachar
Adapted from Sideways Stories from Wayside School

Some 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 Book cover

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 Book cover

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 minutes

Alternate Versions — | Team (4 readers) |


The Chamber Readers
Watch the
Chamber Readers!

The Christmas Truce

(11 minutes)

Having trouble? Try this.


RTE #35 ~ The Adventures of Mouse Deer: Favorite Folk Tales of Southeast Asia Book cover

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 Book cover

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 minutes

Alternate Versions — | Team (4 readers) |


RTE #37 ~ Monkey Lives!: A Superhero Tale of China Book cover

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 minutes

Alternate Versions — | Team (4 readers) |


RTE #38 ~ Captain Cully Book cover

By Peter S. Beagle
Adapted from The Last Unicorn

A 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 Book cover

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 minutes

Alternate Versions — | Team (4 readers) |


RTE #40 ~ One‑Eye! Two‑Eyes! Three‑Eyes!: A Very Grimm Fairy Tale Book cover

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 Book cover

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 minutes

Alternate Versions — | Team (4 readers) |


RTE #42 ~ Skeeter and the Weasels Book cover

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 minutes

Alternate Versions — | Team (4 readers) |


RTE #43 ~ The Mice Before Christmas Book cover

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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