Musings
A Story Arts Newsletter

Musings offers monthly thoughts and ideas about the art of telling tales.

Storytelling is an ancient form of expression that has been experiencing a Renaissance. In our modern media world, filled with preprogrammed imagery, storytelling offers the listener an opportunity to be creative; to design costumes, sets and scenery in the theatre of the mind. Sharing stories brings people intimately together.

Why are stories so powerful? This question has been addressed in a famous story told by Jacob Kranz, the Maggid of Dubno, an 18th century rabbi in Eastern Europe. Here is a poem based on his thought.

Naked Truth and Parable

Naked Truth walked down the street one day.
People turned their eyes away.

Parable arrived, draped in decoration.
People greeted Parable with celebration.

Naked Truth sat alone, sad and unattired,
"Why are you so miserable?" Parable inquired.

Naked Truth replied, "I'm not welcome anymore.
No one wants to see me. They chase me from their door."

"It is hard to look at Naked Truth," Parable explained.
"Let me dress you up a bit. Your welcome will be gained."

Parable dressed Naked Truth in story's fine attire,
with metaphor, poignant prose, and plots to inspire.

With laughter and tears and adventure to unveil,
together they went forth to spin a tale.

People opened their doors and served them their best. Naked Truth dressed in story was a welcome guest.

-- A Jewish tale retold as a poem by Heather Forest

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