Khimaira
  2974 Stonyman Road
 Luray VA  22835
www.khimaira.com

PUPPET  UNPACKING

Care in removing the puppet from the bag will result in less possibility of tangled strings and avoid frustration.  Unzip the bag and grasp the puppet control stick lifting it straight up out of the bag.  Noting which way the stick was rotated when packed, rotate it back so the strings drop straight and freely from the control handle.  Now gently pull the puppet from the bag using the control handle.  Check the puppet for possible tangles  of  body parts.  Carefully note tangle direction and untangle the string in question.  The main thing is not to pull on possible tangles  which can tighten them and make them almost impossible to undo.  Now that we have the critter out of the bag and moving freely ………….

 PUPPET TRAINING

Congratulations on receiving your new friend.  Your friend was just born recently and may need some help in learning to get around.  Since you're older and more grown up than your puppet, its up to you to help him/her learn.  Here are some pointers:

 General:            Grasp the control stick loosely at its center and lower the puppet to a flat surface till its feet touch and there is a little bend in its legs.  Try to keep this elevation of the control as you help the puppet to move (it does take some practice).

Walking:            Rotate the control so that the legs on one side are lifted off the surface.  Now gently swing the elevated side forward (or backward) so that the feet move in the desired direction of travel.  Lower the feet and repeat with the feet on the other side.  With a little practice, your new friend will be walking.

Sitting:            Rotate the control so that the rear of the puppet is lowered till sitting.  Simple, huh?

Sit Up (stand):            After sitting, rotate the control to lift the front of the puppet off the surface.  Further lifting of the control will result in standing.

Look to side:            Rotate the control to one side while holding it level.  Move it back and forth to shake head "no".  The same motions on the other end of the control will cause wagging of  the tail (or wiggling fanny).

Bowing:            In order to bow down, lower the front of the puppet by rotating the front end of the control downward.  Your friend is now eating or drinking or just bowing to those admiring his/her antics.

Shake Hands:            While holding the control level, hook one of the front leg strings with your forefinger and lift the string over the end of its respective stick causing that foot to raise.  Move it up and down to "shake hands" or wave.  Note: if you're a small person with short fingers, you may have to use both hands to do this.

Scratch:            While holding the control steady with one hand, grasp one leg string with the other hand.  Lift the respective foot and swing it into the body.  Move the foot up and down to scratch.  Note: rear foot will scratch ribs and front foot will scratch ear.

Some puppets are slower to learn than others and may need more instruction and help.  Be patient and help your friend practice and he/she will learn and get better. 

Once the basic movements are learned, the two of you can move on to other things and do special tricks of your own.  Some of my friends have learned to climb on and off obstacles, climb onto my lap and lie there, and various other things. 

 Thanks for purchasing our puppets!