“Meera, Meera!” said Rani, running into the room. “We’re going to see a puppet show! Papa has already bought tickets!”
”When?” asked Meera, feeling really excited. She had never seen a puppet show before.
”Tomorrow!” said Rani. “Straight after school! Your friend Meena is coming too, with her parents.”

Meera was thrilled. Meena was her best friend in school, and she adored Meena’s parents, Auntie Rina and Uncle Suresh, as well.

The next day the three girls rushed out as soon as school ended. Mummy and Papa were waiting for them with Meena’s parents, Auntie Rina and Uncle Suresh. ”Hello girls,” said Auntie Rina. ”Ready to go?” asked Uncle Suresh.

Papa gave the taxi driver directions. “Children’s Theatre, please,” he said, and off they went.

Soon the taxi drew up outside a large grey building which had CHILDREN’S THEATRE written across the front in large, colourful letters.

A bright, yellow banner announced in bold black letters MAGIC AND MYSTERY! PUPPET SHOW TODAY!

The children tumbled excitedly out of the taxi.

“Everybody, hold hands!” said Auntie Rina. “We don’t want anybody getting lost in the crowd!”

Papa led the way into the building. It was cool and dim inside in the lobby. At one end was a long wooden counter. “We can get drinks and a snack there after the show,” said Mummy to the children.

Large green doors led into the theatre. There was a long queue of children with their parents waiting to get in. A tall man in a smart blue and gold uniform was checking tickets at the entrance. Papa herded them all into the queue.

Soon the three children and their parents were in their seats. Papa had managed really good seats. They were up in front close to the stage where even Meera, who was the tiniest, could see very well. A deep red curtain covered the front of the stage. Meera laughed in excitement. “Ssh!” said Rani bossily.

Before Meera could protest, the lights began to dim, music began to play, and the curtain rose slowly to a magical scene. The stage was glittering with stars. In the background was a golden palace. From the ceiling hung shining birds of all shapes and colours. But most interesting of all, right in front was another little stage, also with red curtains, tightly shut.

“That’s where the puppets will perform,” explained Mummy in a whisper.

Suddenly there was a loud roll of drums, a clang of cymbals, and the red curtains on the little stage were pulled back by a pair of tiny hands in white gloves. A funny little wooden man stuck his head out from behind the curtains and waved. He had long curling moustaches, and a huge friendly smile on his face. He was wearing a blue turban on his head, and a flowing robe of red and gold. Meera was enchanted. She sat up right on the edge of her seat to make sure she did not miss a word!

“Hello!” said the little man in a funny, squeaky voice.
”Hello!” replied the children. Meera and Meena held each other’s hands tightly and stared in wonder at the little puppet.

“Hello!” said the puppet again. “Welcome to the show! My name is Storyteller, and I know the most wonderful stories, full of magical and mysterious things! Today, I am going to tell you about a little boy and his pet dragon!”

Rani wriggled happily in her seat. “Ask me if you don’t understand,” she whispered to Meera. “I’ll explain it to you.”
”Ssh!” whispered Meera. She was concentrating hard on what the little puppet was saying.

“Long, long ago, in a faraway country, there lived a little boy,” began Storyteller.

Slowly the little stage began to fill with all the people from Storyteller’s tale. Suddenly Meera realised that the Storyteller himself had vanished, and that the people in his story were the ones who were now acting out their adventures on the little stage. The children watched enchanted as the puppets performed. 

Meera almost fell out of her chair in surprise as a great big dragon appeared out of nowhere and flapped its wings loudly. There was smoke and lights all over the little stage. “It’s alright, Meera,” whispered Rani. “It’s all pretend, only puppets, remember?” Meera nodded, but held Rani’s hand tightly every time the dragon appeared, even though it was a friendly dragon.

Soon, much too soon for the children, the show was over. Storyteller came back to wave goodbye, and closed the red curtains of the little stage.

“Oh no!” cried out Meera. “Don’t go! Please don’t go!”

But Storyteller had to leave. With a last bow and a wave, he vanished behind his little red curtains. The lights came on again, and the deep red curtain came down over the big stage.

Papa led them all out into the lobby, and with a quick whisper to Mummy, vanished into the crowd. Auntie Rina and Uncle Suresh bought snacks for everyone, but Papa was still nowhere to be seen. Meera was beginning to get worried when Papa suddenly appeared, together with a tall, smiling man dressed in black.

“This is Mr. Bose,” said Papa, introducing the tall man. “He and his wife, Mrs. Bose, have created and performed this marvellous puppet show. Mr. Bose has kindly offered to show the children how they make the puppets walk and talk.” The children’s eyes grew round with wonder.

Mr. Bose led them through a door, up some stairs, and onto the big stage. Mrs Bose was waiting for them there beside the little stage on which the puppets had acted out their tale. Mrs. Bose was small and slim, and was also dressed all in black. Mrs. Bose explained that some of the puppets they had used were glove puppets. Mrs. Bose slipped under the small stage. Meera was surprised to see there was enough room there for Mrs. Bose to be quite comfortable.

Suddenly Storyteller appeared on the stage, and said “Hello” in his squeaky voice! Mrs. Bose had slipped the puppet on her hand like a glove, and was making him walk back and forth on the stage. Mr. Bose was doing the voice.

Meera stared in amazement.

“What about the dragon?” asked Rani. “How did you make him fly?”

“Ah yes,” said Mr. Bose. “There we used a string puppet.” He took the dragon out of a large box, and the children saw that attached to it were long, fine strings which were hard to see against the little stage.

Mr. Bose climbed up on to a box behind the stage. He too was hidden from sight. He slipped the dragon onto the little stage, holding on to a small wooden cross to which were tied the dragon’s strings. The dragon twitched and danced and flew, as Mr. Bose pulled or jiggled the strings or the cross. The Boses made the dragon and Storyteller do a little dance together that made the children laugh. The black clothes in which Mr and Mrs Bose were dressed made it very hard to see them once they had hidden themselves under or behind the stage.

“Is it difficult?” asked Meena.

“Not really,” said Mrs. Bose. “But it needs a lot of practice and hard work.”

“Maybe you could learn to do it when you are older,” smiled Mr. Bose.

The children and their parents thanked Mr. and Mrs. Bose for their kindness, and the beautiful show.

Rani and Meena chattered excitedly all the way home in the taxi. But Meera sat quietly, dreaming of doing her own puppet show one day

The End.