Category: 
January 10, 2009
For as long as humans could talk throughout the world stories have been told and retold. In the fabric of a culture, they act as vital threads in the weave. They lend definition, roots, and significance to society. 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. I have also had the opportunity to learn a bit about each country. Rituals and customs. Geography and daily habits. 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. The more I experience a particular culture, the more I appreciate the value of their stories. I have visited countries in Europe, Central and South America, throughout Canada, the United States, and Southeast Asia. I find myself amazed at both the differences and similarities of the various countries.
You can find in every culture notions which they hold as sacred. You can also find things demonic. Their stories regularly exhibit these notions. They make up the mythical soil out of which the stories grow. Myth forms the basis for many world stories. They include creation stories along with other stories that explain the world.
By contrast, folk tales spawn from daily village life. Naturally, stories of the folk world are couched in rural settings. Fairy tales also live in the world of folktales. Stories about magic and mystery were apt outlets for questioning minds of preliterate villagers. Many folktales were cautionary tales with lessons for avoiding catastrophe. Do not go into the deep, dark woods! Steer clear of wild beasts! Do not talk to strangers! On the other hand, reward and happy endings comprise many folktales. Good and evil are eternal foes. One can discover the Golden Rule in most plots. No matter what the genre, a good world story brings meaning to the contemporary world as well. And that’s where modern day storytelling has a place. 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 insightful. Often world stories are inscrutable. Generally world stories contain lessons. All world stories entertain.
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 recording that will take you on a delightful trip around the world!
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Other world stories are filled with mystery. Many world stories are full of insight. Often world stories are inscrutable. Generally world stories teach. All world stories keep us amused.
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However, it was only when I found myself using the word in my description of my own stories that I needed to define it. Actually, I hit the books when a listener said my stories were nifty. The Merriam/Webster Dictionary definition states: “very good, very attractive,” etymology unknown, originally used in 1865. A thesaurus gives synonyms such as “peachy, smashing, dandy, great, keen, and groovy,” all of which strike me as exchanging one jargon term for another!”
What was my listener describing when he called my stories “nifty?” The stories I choose to tell are, indeed, particularly good and rather effective at making a point, a lesson, a message, a bit of perspective. You could say that my idea of nifty stories is stories that enlighten as well as entertain.
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Priceless humor. what makes it priceless? The answer is simple. Priceless humor revolves about common everyday experiences. The lost keys. The comic situation.
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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 are stories that teach. Nifty stories are memorable. Nifty stories travel beyond the culture from which they originate. Nifty stories are always in vogue.
Some kind of resolution.
At the same time, nobody likes to be preached to. We prefer to take our medicine with a bit of sweetener. That is where laughter comes in. It is the honey in the brew.
Helpful blog info.
They lend definition, roots, and significance to society. As a culture grows, so do its world stories.
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. I have also had the opportunity to learn a bit about each country. Customs and rituals.
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. I have visited countries in Europe, Central and South America, throughout Canada, the United States, and Southeast Asia.
I keep lots of memories from the days when I was a young parent. Some of them are downright exasperating! One of them involves purchasing gifts for my children. Gifts for the holidays. Birthday gifts. Gifts rewarding good behavior.
A meaningful gift is even rarer. 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. And I am always on the lookout for a unique gift children would enjoy.
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 anticipated that my children would do the same.
I am now a grandparent. And I am always on the lookout for a unique gift children would enjoy.
I will come back to this site.
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. I have also had the opportunity to learn a bit about each country. Rituals and customs. Geography and daily habits. In turn, that lends substantial meaning to the world stories I hear.
A meaningful gift is even rarer. And whenever I succeeded in finding a gift that I regarded as special, I treasured it. And I anticipated that my children would do the same.
I am now a grandparent. And I am constantly seeking a unique gift children would treasure.
A memorable story is that kind of gift. And it is suitable for children of all ages. Think of all the pleasurable hours an entire CD of stories can provide. Think of the glimpse it can give into cultures and customs from countries around the world.
You can find three CDs listed on the “Recordings” page of my website.
Treat others the way you want to be treated. There is no substitute for honesty. Take time to smell the flowers. Give back to your community. Messages that made me who I am today.
Daily habits and geography. 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. I have visited countries in Europe, Central and South America, throughout Canada, the United States, and Southeast Asia.
Not only those high points, but those exasperating moments as well. One of them involves purchasing gifts for my children. Gifts for the holidays. Birthday gifts. Gifts rewarding good behavior.
And whenever I succeeded in finding a gift that I regarded as special, I treasured it. And I anticipated that my children would do the same.
I am now a grandparent. And I am constantly seeking a unique gift children would treasure. Something that is memorable long after the gift is given.
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. Naturally, stories of the folk world are couched in rural settings. The world of folktales is also inhabited by fairy tales.
Actually, it was a listener who called my material “nifty stories,” and that comment sent me to the books. The Merriam/Webster Dictionary definition states: “very good, very attractive,” etymology unknown, originally used in 1865. A thesaurus gives synonyms such as “peachy, smashing, dandy, great, keen, and groovy,” all of which strike me as exchanging one jargon term for another!”
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. To me, nifty stories are a blend of entertainment and education, or what some call “edutainment. ” There needs to be a message beyond a witty punch line.
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Treat others the way you want to be treated. Honesty is the best policy. Take time to smell the flowers. Give back to your community. I am who I am because of those messages.
Painting scenes with priceless humor.
Priceless humor. what makes it priceless? There is a simple answer to this question. Priceless humor involves situations which most of us have experienced. The lost keys.
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.
What’s so important about inspirational stories? For one thing, we experience a deluge of information and news on a daily basis. Second, the lives we live give us no breathing space to reflect. 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. A listener can mull over inspirational stories.
You could say that my idea of nifty stories is stories that enlighten as well as entertain. I look for stories with certain underlying values that help the listener to set their internal compass when sailing through life.
Any story with a moral at the end sends the listener a clear message. It teaches by example. However, the lessons in many other stories may not be as obvious.
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Priceless humor involves situations which most of us have experienced. The lost keys. The comic situation. The consequences that follow are generally laughable.
You will find lots of priceless humor in urban folktales.
I got a ton out of this post. Where was this site when I needed it?
This blog helped me.
Something that gives us perspective.
Looking for inspiration? You can find inspirational stories and more at http://www. jaystetzer. com. Go to the “Listen” page on the site and you will surely discover a number of stories with relevant messages.
A memorable story is that kind of gift. And it is suitable for children of all ages. A CD full of stories will provide hours of pleasure. Imagine the trip around the world your progeny can take on the wings of a story!
My “Recordings” page on this website lists three story CDs. Fables in Four Minutes is a collection of ten stories, each one representing a different storytelling genre.