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Storytelling is a true folk art,
primarily (at least originally) an oral tradition like quilting and folk
music. It's purpose is to reach us as humans and teach and share.
Historically, cultures have transmitted values through stories, informally
in conversation, anecdotes, jokes, customs, dance and song, as well as
formally in crafted tales. In many cultures, formal storytelling takes place
during the long winters or times of leisure. Elders taught the children as
they did the work or through play, including games and festivals. Stories
were passed down long before writing systems existed. Ancient devices like
music, alliteration, rhythms and rhyme were memory aids to both the
traveling teller and the
listener.
We, as humans, speak in narrative and understand ideas couched in narrative.
We remember concepts we learn in stories where we may forget a fact; we
recall with deep emotion those stories told to us directly, without the
intervention of print or other medium. We humans crave personal contact; we
need human, voice to ear, interactions. Lacking this, youth passively,
unknowingly absorbs takes in the values from the stories he or she does
hear--for example electronic stories, popular music, celebrities.
Storytelling is much like seeing a live play versus a Hollywood film. It is
participatory, enhancing the emotion of the story and increasing the
connection between the story's characters and one's own experience.
Storytelling can work at home, at the office, within organizations. To
persuade someone, snag the listener with a story, and use it to make your
point.
Family stories, informally told in family gatherings or written up for
families to preserve, are an effective way to share family values from
generation to generation. Success stories are powerful motivators in any
environment. Heroes emerge as do scapegoats, and those who are just entering
a new environment, whether children or workers, emulate attributes of
heroes, shun those of fools.
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