CHOICES
How do I choose a story when there are so many that I already know, as well as an infinite source of traditional tales in book form or electronic media? This was a question asked by a friend of mine recently. And I have to admit it isn’t something I’ve thought about too deeply before now.
Often I have a theme or topic that my stories need to be based around and that gives me some direction to begin with. Then there’s the audience to consider, making sure the material is suitable. Next I read books and articles, listen to audio collections, watch video collections etc.
But what makes a story stand out and say -” CHOOSE ME! TELL ME!” I’m not really sure. I do know that something in the right story makes me want to read it or hear it again. Something in the story hooks into my brain so that I need more. It might be a catchy name such as Rikkitikitembo-nosarembo-charibariruchi-pipperripembo! It could be a distinctive sound of ‘scritch, scritch, scritch’. Maybe it’s a repetitive phrase or simple rhyme like ‘Stir and tap the magic pot. Give me porridge nice and hot.” Even a little humour or a surprise ending might be the hook. But I believe the story chooses me and not the other way round.
So often, I have gone searching for something specific only to skip over it and find myself attached to a totally different or unfamiliar story. There is a wonderful Korean folk tale about a group of story spirits that rebel after being bound to be told to only one person. The stories needed to be shared and as that wasn’t happening, they found their own way which unfortunately involved a little malevolence and trickery. Luckily, I am looking to share my stories with many people, so the story spirits have been kind to me so far. Maybe that is why the unfamiliar stories often find me. Just make sure you make a good choice and share at least one of the stories that you hear along the way and spread the joy of storytelling and story listening.
I’ll finish with a wonderful quote from Vera Nazarian -
“The world is shaped by two things - stories told and the memories they leave behind.”