One Reason Storytellers Do What They Do
Fans of JK Rowling’s Weasley twins will be familiar with their joke shop product called “extendable ears.” With one end of a cord held close to the listener’s ear, the other end crawls along the ground, winding around corners and sliding under doors until it reaches its destination. Then, it listens to the secrets of unsuspecting friends and enemies alike. My son desperately wished for a set to use around the time of his birthday whenever we whispered about his gifts. There are probably numerous politicians, spies, and Academy Award nominees who would love a set as well.
Old-fashioned extendable ears
So why am I discussing this intriguing fictional product here? It is because stories reach and stretch into the human heart and mind like extendable ears stretch into other rooms. When people speak of the power of stories, this is what they mean.
Stories have a seemingly magical way of touching those who need them. They sneak in the cracks and openings of heart and mind and do their work: stories heal, stories connect one to another, they teach and ignite dreams.
But the work of stories is gentle. They seep into people like a mild rain softens dry soil. The images and messages embedded in stories, like water moistening dry soil, find their ways to their destination. This is one of the biggest reasons why we do the work that we do.
Stories reach in.
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Copyright 2014 The Storycrafters
Anybody with stories about stories doing this work? Share them (way) down below!
The effect of a story is much like Roger Rabbit said about making someone laugh. It forms a bond that is difficult to describe, but very real. I have seen the results first-hand and benefitted greatly from them. Often in unexpected ways.
I know exactly what you mean about that…that’s what gives us the sense of the storytelling “event” as a true sharing, isn’t it?
LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS. Thank you, Storycrafters.
Well coming from you, that is an extraordinarily high compliment. I am honored and humbled to receive it.