Punchkin
From Indian Fairy Tales, by Joseph Jacobs
This tale comes from Indian Fairy Tales, collected by Joseph Jacobs and first published in 1892. The story reflects its era and the oral tradition of the Punjab region. The idea of a magician's life hidden outside his body appears in fairy tales from India to Norway, but scholars trace this particular version to Hindu storytelling. Balna's courage and cleverness show a young reader that bravery is not about size or strength—it is about caring for others and never giving up.
- Band
- Yellow · Emerging readersTypical starting range: ages 6–8
- Length
- medium · about 578 words in 5 sections · 4 pictures
- Source
- Indian Fairy Tales, Joseph Jacobs and John Dickson Batten
- First published
- see the About page in the reader
- Regions
- Canada · United States
Included formats
- · Web reader and PDF
- · EPUB for e-readers
- · Home-print sheet
- · Folded booklet
- · Binder edition (8.5 × 11)
- · Worksheet
- · Quick Check (8 questions) with answer key
- · Read-aloud script
- · Colouring page
- · Teacher’s Edition (members)
Lesson at a glance
- Reading
- about 10 minutes at this band
- Pause questions
- 2
- Words to Know
- 5
- Quick Check
- 8 questions, with the answer key
- Let’s Talk
- 3 questions for afterwards
- Worksheet
- questions, an activity and a drawing prompt
About 35 minutes with one story, all of it.
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The same story
Other bands of this story
This story is ready now at the Yellow band only. Other bands can be made to order for members after launch.