Harald Juengst hails from the land of the Grimm brothers. So the passion for stories and story-telling is probably in his blood. But this primary school teacher who works in Oberhausen, Germany, where “Paul the psychic Octopus lives,” narrates folk tales from Ireland.
“I fell in love with the emerald isle when I visited it for the first time in the seventies. On my third visit to Ireland, I bought a cottage in the village of Ranafast in rural Donegal,” says Harald. Captivating anecdotes of Irish hospitality, warmth and lifestyle, embellished with dialogues and character sketches, follow as Harald explains why he chose to have a second home in Ireland.
Collector of tales
“I find that narrating a story is the easiest way to connect with a person,” says Harald. But his stories for children are not only of leprechauns, goblins and elves. He collects stories from the countries he visits and each session has a collection of tales from places as varied as Africa and Australia.
“I am a member of a band called Sheevon in Germany. I use my musical skills to sing a song or two during my story-telling sessions,” says Harald. The raconteur also falls back on his experience as a broadcaster to spice up his sessions with changes in accent, expression and tone. “My first guest for my radio show was a visually-challenged girl and so all the proceeds from my four CDs of stories are earmarked for charities that work for the visually challenged,” he explains.
The four CDs (two in German and two in English) are a delightful collection of tales. Finn Mc Cool and the Giant's Causeway and other Legends and Fairytales from Ireland has Harald narrating three stories of his adapted homeland while My Green Heartbeat has six real-life tales of life in contemporary Ireland, told with a lot of warmth and humour.
In an era when it is important to have politically correct fairy tales, can one have traditional folk tales that can enchant children and be correct as well? “Yes, of course,” believes Harald. “My stories favour the underdog and prove how mighty brawn is no match for nimble brains,” he adds.
Although Harald has mesmerised children (and adults too) of 15 countries with his sessions, he wants to plan his tours differently now. “I was always on the move during my tours. But now I plan to stay in one place and go for short trips.” And that is how he is in the city – for a tryst with Ayurveda, and narrate stories.
And no marks for guessing what he wants to take home as a souvenir from India. Stories, of course. And he makes you write down the names of the Panchatantra, Tenali Rama and Akbar and Birbal. Now that is another story in the offing!
He will read and narrate his stories to young listeners at the Christ Nagar International School today, followed by a session for students of the Goethe-Zentrum (it is also open for those interested in a vivacious sitting of story-telling – contact 3013018 for participation) and one for the Department of German, University of Kerala. He will also have a session for the Kerala State Institute of Children's Literature.
