Storytellers

I had a short stay in the hospital a few years back, and I was feeling well enough to write so I pulled out my netbook and started revising a manuscript. A nurse came in to see how I was doing and told me I shouldn't be working. So I quickly explained it was a story I was working on. Purely for fun.

She paused on her way out the door and asked what the story was about. And so I started to tell her about the magic but I didn't get far, because by the gleam in her eye, she had a story to share and I was curious. "Do  you believe in magic?" I asked.

Of course she didn't...
                                But she did.

She came back in and told me a story about a magical fairy that haunts her cottage. A fairy?!

I snapped my netbook shut to listen. She was excited to have my attention and told her story with an incredible passion that drew others in the room.

Another shared a story bordering on the paranormal.

And another.

The afternoon passed and I was told several very interesting and unusual stories. For example the patient across from me knew my grandmother and Dad. She had stories to share about them that were real and magical in a very different way.

I didn't do much revising until later that night, because each time I tried, a new story presented itself. Each one was magical, and each one came from someone different. I was captivated and entertained all day.

When I left a few days later, a nurse called after me, that they couldn't wait to read MY stories. And I realized, I hadn't shared a single tale of my own, yet... everyone everywhere was still sharing stories! It was an epidemic!!!! (a good one.)

We love to be entertained, but there's something in us that just loves to entertain. We are all storytellers, because we all have a story to tell. So go... share your stories and watch the magic.

Who told you the last good story you heard?
Have you ever witnessed the magic of how a good story gets others to share one too? Love it!

6 comments:

writing and living by Richard P Hughes said...

I like it when my family, especially people who live in other states, get together. The stories told are fun to hear.

Tanya Reimer said...

Oh yes! I love that too! My dad used to have great stories. There is one my brother and I try to tell all the time, but we end up laughing so hard, I don't think anyone really knows the true story.

Suzi said...

I'm a bad storyteller. Out loud at least. On paper, I can think and edit and it's so much easier. :)

That's cool how someone's enthusiasm just spread like that and made your hospital stay a little better.

Anonymous said...

Awesome! Just the kind of epidemic we need to hear about these days to lift our spirits. When the teachers I work with get together for the occasional lunch, we all get each other telling stories about our lives before we knew each other. So much fun!

-Vicki

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

What a cool hospital experience! I hope you took notes on some of these stories to weave into your own.

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