Note from Anne, October 12, 1999

Dear BCN Group colleagues,

Telling stories serves many different purposes in society. They can entertain, teach history or moral lessons, show commonness between speaker and audience or be therapeutic for either party. Stories can be imaginary or believed to be true. (Stories change in the transition between speaker and listener, and stories passed down several times by word of mouth can sometimes bear little resemblance to the original)

Stories are a pervasive and integral part of our lives. It can be found in many forms and with many functions throughout society.

Religion is a wealth of story telling. It uses stories as historical accounts as well as parables for moral lessons. Each religion has its own sets of stories, which the faith is based upon. Sometimes stories are common to several denominations or even different religions such as books of the Old Testament of the Bible. Within the Old Testament are what is known as the Patriarchal Narratives (Genesis 15-20) where storytelling is used to reveal Gods plan for humanity. In fact whether it is TheTorah, The Qur'an, The Tao Te Ching, The Mormon Doctrine of covenants, The Christian Bible, or the oral teachings of the Buddha, teaching through allegories, parables and history are the groundwork of all the great religions.

There are many categories of history each with its own stories. When we say "history", instantly memories of such characters as George Washington, Christopher Columbus and Winston Churchill come to mind. The history we learned in school contains story after story of generals, patriots, wars and social changes. History is important to each of our cultural identities as well. Stories of our leaders and struggles give us a sense of connection to our roots. The same can be said of family history where a "family mythology" is passed down from generation to generation. This family history helps one to know where they came from and of some of the events and circumstances that brought about their being. There is another sort of history that we share within our peer or social groups. Told around barbecues or dinner tables or among teenagers in school hallways, or cops on the beat. These are the stories that we share with this group, it reinforces our belonging to the group by the mutual sharing and the creating of a "group". Then there is a personal history that we may choose to share with many or few people; it can include the life events that shaped the person who the storyteller is presently.

Not all stories are used to pass down history. Some are used for entertainment, such as those found in literature, film, television, music, art, and oral storytelling. The stories that are the product of someone's imagination are, I think, the truest form of personal expression. It is here that internal experience and perceptions can be shared with others. Ideas, might otherwise stay in the mind of the storyteller until it is forgotten and lost. Stories of imaginary places and situations take a listener to realities counterpart. Here dragons and magic carpets can fly and we can visit distant planets and be back on time for dinner. This allows us to experience the impossible. It gives us a break from the here and now of real life and allows our minds to flow without the restrictions that our analytical minds impose. It can bring to life our archetypes in the form of monsters and witches and fairy princesses. It allows us a chance to travel through time and face dinosaurs and abominable snowmen in the safety of our homes. Television and film subject the viewer to the images that the filmmakers have associated with a story. In oral and written storytelling this limitation is not present, instead the listener/readers create the images themselves. The images they create are drawn from their own experiences, perceptions and interpretations, which have become a part of them.

Storytelling is an important tool in education. Not only is it used to teach the lessons of the past (and present), but also it is used to help understanding of new concepts by comparing them to something familiar. Stories open the mind to new experiences, which build on the information available to a person to draw from to create new ideas. Stories are often used as pneumonic devices, and are taught to children throughout their primary school years.

Psychologists and psychiatrists have known for years of the therapeutic power of telling one's story. Whether telling of a dream, a conflict, or the common events of day to day life, many people benefit from talking about their feelings. Often this is the main job of the therapist, just to listen, and repeat what they hear from the patient. This small act can bring great relief.

The world is changed by the power of great storytellers, for worse as well as for better. It has been said that Hitler was a very eloquent speaker and his stories were alluring if not hypnotizing. His people felt a connection to him. These traits can be seen in great religious leaders, politicians, actors, and teachers alike. From children's fairy tales to political propaganda, there is a great power in stories and storytelling. The depths of our lives are deepened each time we hear or share a story, and their importance cannot be understated.

Anne