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One Day Until... and Storytelling
This was intended to be titled "Two Days and Storytelling," but last night's storm prevented me from making an entry.
I love to hear a good story, told by someone who understands the drama that is played out in the story, and appreciates the listener's point of view.
Stories told in the form of books and radio dramas entertain us, thrilling us as we use our own imagination to capture the vision of the story, adding the details we would associate with the character and plot. The voice of the storyteller is very important in telling the story.
I've heard a few stories told in person, and many told on the television. A good storyteller can make the story appear in the imagination of the listener, allowing us into the character's feelings and experiences, helping us to see and hear what the main character of the story senses. With one's voice, facial expression, and posture, a storyteller draws the listener in, commanding complete attention, able to startle and surprise, move us to laughter or tears.
We don't hear too many stories told in the traditional manner these days, not really. Certainly many exceptional books have been written that can be read out loud in the manner of storytelling, but again, the reader must provide the drama through her voice, facial expressions, and posture if she wants to keep the interest of the listener.
Some stories can be told in a few minutes, and some stories take longer. I like the stories that take longer. In high school, I heard The Canterbury Tales, told by my English teacher. She made it quite entertaining and we laughed as she described the Wife of Bath. My first year in college I fell in love with the voice of my history professor after he delved into the trials and travels of Gilgamesh and Enkidu. I didn't understand everything he told in that first introduction, but I was mesmerized by his face, the pacing of his words, and how his eyes reflected the change from one emotion to another.
Other stories I have heard (before I ever read them in a book) are the fairy tales from Europe and England, and the American folk tales, and Aesop's fables. A favorite childhood story of mine was
The Wolf and the Seven Kids by the Grimm brothers. Why that story? Maybe because there were seven children in my family, or possibly because someone gave us an album (33 1/3 rpm) with the story, as told by Paul Tripp (I think that was his name).There will be storytelling at our VBS, beginning tomorrow evening. The props I'm building are to go into the room of the storyteller, to create the atmosphere of another time and another place. Each day a different story will be told, and each day the room's props will be changed to accommodate the story, much like a scene change on stage.
In the past, I have been one of the storyellers, but this year, I was able to find five volunteers among our congregation, people who offered to help, and who accepted their role as storyteller after they had seen the story script. I miss that part already, but I plan to be listening as they tell the stories of Jesus.
Starting Sunday, I will be giving an account of those stories and other VBS events.
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it sounds great !
love,natalie -
I'm with you Jackie... though I can read fast, I prefer to read at a slower pace when reading for pleasure. What are you reading this week? Bea
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Bea.. Just so you know.. YOU my friend are one of those storytellers. Maybe I cannot hear your voice, but when I read your words, I am there. I am in YOUR story.
I have always loved to read.. When I was in elementary school and junior high, I loved to go into my room and read outloud! lol I would get so into all the characters in my story by doing all the voices and reading with expression, that my mother would come into my room and say, "Jackie... honey.. can you tone it down a bit? We can't hear the TV!" lol Yeah.. I was a bit weird, I guess. I just loved to read! Still do.
Some people will take 2 days or even 1 to finish a book. They read fast. Well, I am a fast reader also, but when I read, I love to savor ever word. I like to get a feel for each character in the book... so, it takes me much longer to finish. It's not about seeing how fast I can get through the book...it's getting lost in each page... absorbing every line I read.
I can't wait to read your VBS stories about Jesus... :)
Hugs,
Jackie
http://journals.aol.com/siennastarr/Hopefloats/ -
Sounds like a fun time!
Have a good weekend.
Hugs, Sug
7/17/06 5:07 PM
I would liek to read stories for Sunday schoolers too
I could use some suggestions for the fall as to which stories
you'd reccomend for abeggining reader
:)
love you ,natalie
ps I mean a beginning Sunday school teacher lol