Eventyr

Electric Stories

"This is quite marvellous!" exclaimed the Caliph. "Now! Let us hear some stories!"
The first story concerned a man and a woman who were very, very sad - for they were poor and stupid and not very beautiful. But a woman did appear to them and she dressed them in new clothes and changed their hairstyles and they were very, very happy.
"Well that's not really much of a story, is it?" said the Caliph.
But then a second story began. And this one was about a man who was very sad, for his house was falling down and his garden was overgrown - for he had no ability to tend it, for a reason that was never explained. And another man did appear to him who conjured forth slaves, and they mended the house and completely redesigned the garden - and the man was very happy.
"It's missing something," remarked the Caliph.
But then a third story began: and this was about some people who prepared a feast - so they did - and guests arrived.
"This is pathetic!" grumbled the Caliph. "This stuff has absolutely no story, it has no meaning, it has no passion - these people can't even act. I am inclined to compare it to wallpaper, which we have recently invented, only I'd say that the wallpaper was actually more interesting!"

The Electric Storyteller by Adam Acidophilus

Story Resources

I'm looking forward to having the time to go through Tim Sheppard’s Storytelling Resources for Storytellers. One day...

The Guest House

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

-- The Guest House by sufi poet Jelaluddin Rumi,
translation by Coleman Barks

Cutting Stone (Or, as I wished it)

Tonight I am to perform part of a version of The Stonecutter to the storytelling group. Fortunately, unlike this guy, I am fairly happy with my position in life at the moment.

Except...

I am mildly nervous as I have never tried to tell part of a story as a group activity before (my group collaboration skills are still in need of refining).

Ah Me, Ah Me, If only a group worker I could be.

Things To Remember

* Young ladies who feel uneasy should always act on their feelings. If in your good opinion you fear some young man (however handsome, rich, and well-spoken) is some rake, depend upon it: He’s a rake. Rakes will protest that you have them all wrong. They’ll be fibbing. Never go anywhere with a rake, particularly to isolated spots. See above: Doleful Ghost.
* If you are a young lady and someone arrives to tell you that your boyfriend was slain on a foreign battlefield, take it with a grain of salt. Especially if you’re carrying a broken token.
* If a former significant other turns up unexpectedly after a long absence, don’t throw yourself into his/her arms right away.
* That goes double if they refuse to eat anything.
* Triple if they turn up at night and want you to leave with them immediately.

Things I’ve learned from British folk ballads (via the ever-lovely Boynton)