For as long as humans could talk throughout the world stories have been told and retold. They act as vital threads that weave through the fabric of a culture. In any society they define the roots and significance of the peoples. World stories spread as the culture grows.
One of the great benefits of my travels around the world is the wellspring of world stories I have found in each country I have visited. And each time I visit another country I have the opportunity to learn a bit about it. Rituals and customs. Geography and daily habits. So the world stories I hear have substantial meaning to me. In the process, I have discovered how world stories arise out of the cultures from which they are born. The more I experience a particular culture, the more I appreciate the value of their stories. My travels have taken me to Southeast Asia, Central and South America, around the United States, Canada, and Europe. I find myself amazed at both the differences and similarities of the various countries.
All cultures regard certain notions as sacred. The demonic can also be found. These notions appear regularly in their stories. They make up the mythical soil out of which the stories grow. Myth forms the basis for many world stories. Creation stories form the majority of this category, along with other stories help explain the world.
By contrast, folk tales spawn from daily village life. These stories rise out of a rural setting for obvious reasons. The world of folktales is also inhabited by fairy tales. Stories about magic and mystery were apt outlets for questioning minds of preliterate villagers. Cautionary tales abound, all of them containing messages to avert disaster. Do not go into the deep, dark woods! Keep away from wild animals! Avoid strangers! Then again, many folktales tell of reward and happy endings. Good and evil are eternal foes. One can discover the Golden Rule in most plots. Regardless of genre, any worthy world story can be applied to contemporary life. And that brings us to storytelling today. Modern society is a far cry from rural villages, yet the stories ring true regardless.
Some world stories are humorous. Other world stories are mysterious. Many world stories are full of insight. Often world stories are enigmatic. Generally world stories contain lessons. All world stories keep us amused.
Regardless of their intent, all world stories express deep bonds with the fabric of a country and culture. The experiences of people are drawn in world stories. And they have merit in worlds far removed from their origin.
To enjoy the breadth of subject matter found in world stories, listen to my CD entitled “World Full of Stories.” It is an award winning journey that will take you around the globe!
May 19th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
So the world stories I hear have substantial meaning to me. In the process, I have discovered how world stories arise out of the cultures from which they are born. The more I experience a particular culture, the more I appreciate the value of their stories. My travels have taken me to Southeast Asia, Central and South America, around the United States, Canada, and Europe. The differences as well as the similarities of the various countries impress me deeply.
June 1st, 2009 at 5:26 pm
I needed this info last month.
June 9th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
These notions appear regularly in their stories. Their stories grow out of this mythical soil. Many world stories derive from mythology. They include creation stories along with other stories that explain the world.
Folktales, on the other hand, are generated from daily village life.
June 12th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Write more soon. Glad i found this.
June 18th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Other world stories are mysterious. Many world stories are full of insight. Often world stories are inscrutable. Generally world stories teach. All world stories entertain.
June 19th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Thanks for sharing.
June 21st, 2009 at 5:59 pm
And everyone loves to laugh at the foibles of our own species (as long as it happens at the expense of another). Call it priceless humor.
Look at the great humorists around us. Art Buchwald. George Carlin.
July 9th, 2009 at 11:53 am
I will remember this blog.
July 10th, 2009 at 11:55 am
Keep posting. I will be reading more soon.
July 20th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Generally world stories contain lessons. All world stories keep us amused.
No matter what, all world stories maintain a deep bond with the fabric of their culture. The experiences of people are drawn in world stories. And they have merit in worlds far removed from their origin.
July 22nd, 2009 at 12:03 pm
It teaches by example. However, the lessons in many other stories may not be as obvious. The characters may act out the meaning of the story. Listeners are left to figure out the message for themselves. And there may be a different message for each listener.
July 31st, 2009 at 12:11 pm
The messages of long ago still have merit in the world today.
Why seek out inspirational stories? For one thing, we experience a deluge of information and news on a daily basis. Next, we live lives that leave no room for reflection. In the absence of time and reflection, we have precious little available insight to bring to current affairs. Here is the place for inspirational stories.
August 14th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
George Carlin. Garrison Kiellor. Look at history and the humorists that litter the pages. Moliere. Henry Fielding All of them were storytellers.
September 1st, 2009 at 2:15 pm
And each time I visit another country I have the opportunity to learn a bit about it. Rituals and customs. Daily habits and geography. So the world stories I hear have substantial meaning to me. And one of the benefits is to see how world stories come directly from the cultures of origin.
September 7th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
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What’s so nifty about nifty stories? The stories I tell always have a message, a lesson, a bit of perspective, and they are, indeed, particularly good and rather effective at making their point. You could say that my idea of nifty stories is stories that enlighten as well as entertain. There needs to be a message beyond a witty punch line.
For example, a story with a moral is one that provides a clear message. It teaches using a concrete example.
October 10th, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Think of the difference between an Aesop fable and a tale from the Arabian Nights. Which one gives you more freedom to choose your own message? Personally, I like to find my own message when listening to a story. The stories I chose for my Fables in Four Minutes and World Full of Stories CDs are good examples of nifty stories with subtle messages.
Nifty stories edify. Nifty stories are memorable.
November 1st, 2009 at 3:17 am
I’ll be sure to link to you.
November 5th, 2009 at 3:25 am
Love your blog.
November 6th, 2009 at 3:29 am
I’ll be sure to link to you. Totally great.
November 15th, 2009 at 3:36 am
It did not take very long to realize that a good gift is rare gift. A meaningful gift is even harder to find. And when I did find a special gift, I regarded it as something of a treasure. And I hoped my children would do the same.
I am now a grandparent.
November 20th, 2009 at 3:38 am
Maybe there is a message. Perhaps it gives a hint of direction. There could even be an outright moral. The name one might give to this ephemeral quality is not as important as the fact that the stories I tell actually possess it.
Even when I was growing up, I found myself deeply touched by inspirational stories.
November 30th, 2009 at 3:42 am
Ogden Nash. Storytellers all. Painting scenes with priceless humor.
Priceless humor. what makes it priceless? The answer is simple.
December 3rd, 2009 at 3:43 am
As a kid, I overheard my older brothers using the word “nifty” when referring to a cool car or a great suit of clothes. It was a word that meant a variety of things, all of them good and attractive. As I grew older I heard the word being used in a wider range of topics: a nifty song, a nifty concert, a nifty evening out. Later still, it cropped up in conversations about more “cultural” experiences: nifty books, nifty poems, and nifty stories.
The word seemed allusively defined, yet attractively so.
December 7th, 2009 at 3:46 am
More helpful information. This is a place I will bookmark.
December 13th, 2009 at 3:48 am
And I am constantly seeking a unique gift children would treasure. Something that will last far beyond the moment of giving. One great gift I have found is a memorable story. And it is suitable for children of all ages. Think of all the pleasurable hours an entire CD of stories can provide.
January 1st, 2010 at 4:38 am
Your blog is awesome. I will be sure to remember this place.
January 6th, 2010 at 4:56 am
The differences as well as the similarities of the various countries impress me deeply.
All cultures regard certain notions as sacred. You can also find things demonic. These notions appear regularly in their stories. They make up the mythical soil out of which the stories grow.
January 7th, 2010 at 5:02 am
Perhaps it gives a hint of direction. It might even state a moral. The name one might give to this ephemeral quality is not as important as the fact that the stories I tell actually possess it.
As a child I found deep meaning in inspirational stories. I heard similar stories from my mother and my grandfather.
January 9th, 2010 at 5:04 am
Very helpful information here.
January 14th, 2010 at 5:30 am
Needless to say, no one cares to listen to preaching. We desire to sweeten our bitter medicines. That is where laughter comes in. It is the honey in the brew. Witty humor is priceless humor.
January 24th, 2010 at 6:08 am
Just compare a tale from the Arabian Nights to a fable by Aesop to see the difference. Which one do you prefer to hear? Personally, I like to find my own message when listening to a story. Check out my World Full of Stories and Fables in Four Minutes CDs for some examples of nifty stories with more subtle lessons.
Nifty stories edify. Nifty stories appeal to a broad audience.
January 30th, 2010 at 6:29 am
“The Egg Seller” and “Herschel and the Wedding” from the World Full of Stories CD are good examples of inspirational stories. “Service with a Smile” on my Parking in Manhattan CD offers the listener a great hidden lesson. I find that inspirational stories stick in the memory long after they are told. In fact, the inspirational stories I tell even inspire me!
The world of today is a fast moving, complex world. As we head on down the highway of life, we can all use a little direction to guide us.