Story does not just entertain us; it helps us to learn, to grow, to find options and meanings, to heal, construct identities for ourselves and our communities, and to understand and honor our world – its environment, creatures and its different kinds of people.Story pitches us into a space of multiple realities.
“Once upon a time, “ or, “Long, long ago, when animals used to speak to men and men to animals, and both to God, ” - such ‘beginnings’ toss us into another, more receptive space than the defined one we live and work in.
Unlike in this ‘reality’, where everything must fit and make sense, story offers us other realities, allowing for the unexpected, the magical, for awakenings and insights, clarity and direction, and sometimes for the persistently inexplicable to stay just that way!
Story delights and teaches people of all ages.
When I tell people I work with Story, they immediately assume that I work with children, and are surprised to hear my listeners are sometimes children, but more often educators, managers, therapists, clergy, and business people, ages ranging from twenty-five to ninety.
Story communicates through images.
Among Tellers, it is a known fact that stories are received image by image, not word by word. Our most enduring learnings happen through thoughts, feelings and connections generated by images. A true story I love is of a young boy, who when asked if he liked the TV or audio version of the same program replied, ”The audio tapes … the pictures were much better.”
Story helps us in meaning-making.
Story - whether about animals, fairies or humans - connects us with our humanness and links past, present, and future by teaching us to anticipate the possible consequences of our actions. I like Franz Kafka’s definition, that a story should be an ax for the frozen sea around us.
Stories sometimes give their answers pretty readily, but the ones we most learn from often generate further significant questions and reflections. While listening to story or reading for sheer joy is wonderful, sometimes we feel drawn to go deeper, to make a story our ally in meaning-making or healing.
Story has general lessons yet can be acutely personal.
It’s good to remember that while a particular story can open us all to the same idea, or teach us all a general lesson, really responding to a story is an extremely personal process. Each one will connect to different aspects of a story, responding according to a current ‘nurturance need’ - taking from the story what she or he needs at that particular time.
Story is ‘healing medicine’.
Not only Traditional stories, but also Personal Narrative can be inspiring and healing, and can be a powerful basis for personal, professional, or organizational development. Exploring and sharing true stories is valuable for self help or self improvement, even for community or organizational understanding and bonding, for team improvement, and to stimulate creativity.
Story helps community building.
“An individual, an organization, or a society that encourages and engages in story sharing
invites others in. Ignoring or withholding stories shuts people out. That keeps us ignorant and isolated; it is neither practical nor wise.” says a Teller, Dolly Haik-Adams Berthelot.
Since the time we gathered around campfires, or later collected in village squares, stories have helped teach, influence, and bind people together. Stories have fostered the understanding of self, of others, and of life - which is so important for creating healthy community. This understanding is deeply needed today, as we battle divisive forces, within and without. We can recover the wisdom and power of story to help us live and work together in healthy communities.
May using Story bring these wonderful gifts into your life.
Marguerite Theophil
The Teller’s task
Not only to entertain, but also to illuminate
the reality of potential, and draw forth the wonder
that lies only just beneath the skin of young and old alike –
this is what storytellers must both know they are capable of,
and never tire from attempting.
~ Katie Latimer
