Tell me a story

Story telling is an art-whether it’s the sort of tale you tell your wife when you come creeping in the morning, or the kind that puts junior to sleep at night. If you can spin a yarn that hold the attention of your audience , regardless of age and bent of mind, you may count yourself among the chosen few.

Those parents who are endowed with the art of telling enthralling tales to their children, find it an invaluable sugarcoating with pleasant tasks, such as putting junior to bed or washing his hair. And telling the story provides an even stronger link between parents and child than just reading a story can forge.

The habit of story-telling, in particular has grown into a nightly bed-time custom. Once young sunny  is tucked in, his father stretches out on the bed beside him, turns out the light, and out of thin air concocts his story about the imaginary people he has created for his child’s benefit.

Telling a story also gives the father a chance to impart some actual knowledge ,as well as nonsense. And, above all, the father feels that his innocent tales are a relief from the horror tales in comics, and, actually, even in some of our well known fairy tales.

Story-telling is an old art. In ancient times we find the Greeks and Romans with their great amphitheaters. At these large gatherings were professional story-tellers, whose words were more vividly impressed upon the minds of the listeners by means of actors in pantomime.

“When reading a story, you are tied down to the author’s words and thus are attempting to assume his personality. You are really not ‘feeling’ the story. You are unable to watch the facial expressions of the audience”.

By telling the story you can adapt the same story to many different types of audience and to suit their moods. You have the writer’s thought and ideas in your mind, but you are able to give the author’s main ideas plus convey in part something of your own personality.

There are a few little ticks of technique that a good story- teller uses whether consciously or unconsciously. A pause, judiciously employed, is one of the most important .It gives the mind time to grasp a new idea, allows the  listener to assimilate what has gone before, gives emphasis and arouses suspense.

Gestures are good , but be careful not to overdo it. Mimicry, if you are capable of it ,is very good especially with younger children. To secure the attention of your audience ,use a striking beginning, which will enlist their interest right from the start.

Stories have both educational and emotional value. Stories are childhood’s form of expressions and it is through stories that the child’s mind is developed.

Stories give a child a better insight into human emotion. Stories stimulate and direct literary pursuits. A good instance of their emotional value is the development of sympathy towards animals. Stories may also be used to encourage respect for, and care of, elderly people.