What's in a Name?

Ecstasy (n)- 2. Excessive joy; rapture; a degree of delight that arrests the whole mind; joy may rise to ecstasy. (Websters 1828 Dictionary)
Doldrums (n)- A sate of inactivity or stagnation.(Dictionary.com)

Friday, March 19, 2010

A Lost Art Form

Just under one hundred years ago there was no such thing as television, movies, internet, compact discs or even cassettes. What did people do? They told stories. Carried on history through oration. Amazing. I can't tell a good story to save my life and I think part of the problem is that I don't practice. There is no need to.

There is no storyteller I love to hear more than my Grampa Chick. He can spin yarns better than Rumpelstiltskin (you may not know what I'm talking about unless you've heard that story)! I could sit an listen to him for hours as he talks about his past- his experiences as a boy working on his father's farm, his unbelievable mishaps, how he got his nickname "Fast Eddie," his experiences in the war and the wonderful story of His salvation. He is hilarious and engaging. Many people in his generation are. Could this be because he has been telling stories since he was young?

I think, in the midst of all of our very useful technology, we've lost the precious art of storytelling. I know a few people who can tell a good story, but most of them aren't in my generation. Some of the most valuable lessons we can learn come to us in the form of stories. 
I think it's time that we revive this lost tool and reclaim it for the glory of God. After all, there's nothing like a good story!

4 comments:

Emilu said...

Wow I am the first to write a comment! Anywho you are so right Amanda. Most of you know my dad and he can spin a yarn so well that it is hard sometimes to tell when he is joking or not! His stories are something of a tradition no matter how many times we hear them we are always willing to hear them again! I think people should take more time to listen to those who have seen more of this life than we have!

Samuel Barton said...

MMMhmmm... But there is a problem, only about 1/8 of what is being said is well yarn, a good story is often times made up of to much of the extra stuff...
but who cares... they are fun to listen to.
I could spin a yarn if I needed to...
But with George and Randy around there is no need!!!
Well --... ...--
If any of you know what that means anymore... Or maybe I need to do some more cw class with you... HAHA!!!

Amanda said...

I agree, Emmy! We do need to take more time to listen in our busy world!
Samuel- I think you do need to give us a cw class! : )

Samuel Barton said...

Oh Boy... I can just imagine how that would end...oh well sometime.
Or I could run a series of posts on CW but who would read it much less do what it says...To get CW you have to want to try to get it... and if you do not use it, even if you learn it...you will lose it i'm afraid.
oh well if anyone is serious about it let me know.

and the storytelling is something that I want to learn how to do better...
well good night. and God Rest you well... --... ...--