Story does not just entertain us; it helps us construct identities for ourselves and our communities to learn, to grow, to find options and meanings, to heal, and to understand and honour our world - its environment, creatures and its different kinds of people.
Story pitches us into a space of multiple realities. "Once upon a time", or, "Long, long ago, when animals used to speak to men and men to animals, and both to God", - such 'beginnings' toss us into another, more receptive space than the defined one we live and work in.
Unlike in this 'reality', where everything must fit and make sense, story offers us other realities, allowing for the unexpected, the magical, for awakenings and insights, clarity and direction, and sometimes for the persistently inexplicable to stay just that way! Story delights and teaches people of all ages, children and adults. Story is a great medium for educators, managers, therapists, clergy, and business people, regardless of age groups.
Story communicates through images. Among storytellers, it is a known fact that stories are received image by image, not word by word. Our most enduring learnings happen through thoughts, feelings and connections generated by images. My favourite anecdote is of the story of a young boy, who when asked if he liked the TV or audio version of the same programme replied, "The audio tapes - the pictures were much better".
Story helps us in meaning-making. Story - whether about animals, fairies or humans - connects us with our humanness and links past, present and future by teaching us to anticipate the possible consequences of our actions.
While listening to story or reading for sheer joy is wonderful, sometimes we feel drawn to go deeper, to make a story our ally in meaning-making or healing. It's good to remember that while a particular story can open us all to the same idea, or teach us all a general lesson, really responding to a story is an extremely personal process. Each one will connect to different aspects of a story, responding according to a current 'nurturance need' - taking from the story what he needs at that particular time.
Story is 'healing medicine'. Not only traditional stories, but also personal narrative can be inspiring and healing, and can be a powerful basis for personal, professional, or organisational deve-lopment. Exploring and sharing true stories is valuable for self help or self improvement, even for community or organisational understanding and bonding, for team improvement, and to stimulate creativity.
Story generates true community. "An individual, an organisation, or a society that encourages and engages in story sharing invites others in. Ignoring or withholding stories shuts people out. That keeps us ignorant and isolated; it is neither practical nor wise". says Dolly Berthelot, a storyteller.
Since the time we gathered around campfires, or later collected in village squares, stories have helped teach, influence and bind people together. Stories have fostered the understanding of self, of others, and of life - which is so important for creating healthy community. This understanding is deeply needed today, as we battle divisive forces, within and without. We can recover the wisdom and power of story to help us live and work together in healthy communities.