The Story Of The Storyteller

At my Quaker meeting one Sunday in 1996, I was asked to find and read a story for the upcoming Easter children's program.  

"Of course!" I responded.  I loved reading to my young son and my preschool students.  This would be fun!

Off to the local library, then housed in the first floor of a small rowhouse in the borough, I went to explore.  Sitting on the floor in the stacks finding new books was an exciting treasure hunt.  

“Eureka!” -  I found the story that I knew fit and read it to my son right there on the floor.

After hearing the story, I had a moment of inspiration - this folktale needed to be told.  I didn't memorize the exact words of the story as much as put to memory the story as it was.  Like the troubadours of the past, I kept the essence of the story in tact, and told it in my words.  

That Easter Sunday, as children gathered around me in front of the congregation, I explained that "There was no book but there was indeed a story."  So, with a deep breath, I told my first folk tale.  Children and adults alike became a part of the living circle of the story. 

This was the magic of storytelling!

When the story came to an end, I knew this was just a beginning.  

From the Delaware Museum of Natural History, Local Elementary Schools, Libraries to PTA Events, Coffeehouses, Day Retreats, Apple Festivals and Fairy Festivals, I have had the joy of sharing storytelling for a variety of events!

It is a great joy to finding the "just right" stories for each event in order to create the magic of community.