Once upon a time…. No child has ever been able to run away from those magical words that open the door to a wondrous world of stories. Despite the simple bedtime story finding its territory encroached upon by televisions and tablets, the art and tradition of telling a story continue to have many narrators and listeners in the city.
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Anjali Manoj, who runs Read Right Centre at Kuravankonam, where she conducts storytelling activities for children between three and a half to eight years of age, says telling stories is a way of introducing kids to the ways of the world.
“The tradition of storytelling has been dying out with the joint family, where grandparents used to tell tales to children. Young children will always be interested in oral consumption of stories, though the interest levels vary depending on how their parents approach the activity,” says Anjali. “However, it is great to see that parents in the city are supportive and encouraging,” she adds.
Susan Mathew, Principal of Friends Playschool and Kindergarten in Jawahar Nagar, believes stories are a welcome respite from the rigours of technology. “In this age, telling children bedtime stories is more important than ever before. It is a great way to end the day, as both parents and children are relaxed and can bond easily. Unlike television, this is a one-on-one activity, encouraging them to question and to think,” she says.
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World Storytelling Day has developed a tradition of setting a theme each year, with this year’s being ‘Monsters and Dragons’. On that note, both Susan and Anjali highlight the importance of letting children indulge in a little myth and fantasy. “Nowadays everyone is equally well educated and qualified. In such a scenario it is important to have a little creative spark that differentiates one from the rest, and fantasy stories definitely contribute on that front,” Anjali says.
Susan believes that such stories have the capacity to help define a challenge and then overcome it, “Stories about fantastic beasts help listeners realise that all challenges are surmountable. Weaving such tales with personal experiences and anecdotes sprinkled in them can demonstrate how the storyteller overcame challenges and survived, giving listeners the confidence to do the same.”
Anjali considers ‘Goldilocks And The Three Bears’ to be her favourite “storytelling story”. “I love how it gives me the opportunity to put on different voices for kids and lets us all engage in a lot of movement and activity. It is a favourite among kids too, and they enact it with a lot of involvement and interest.”
Susan’s favourite is ‘The Town Musicians Of Bremen’, the tale of a donkey, dog, cat and rooster who set out for Bremen in the hope of becoming musicians after being discarded by their owners. “The story has lessons about neglect in old age and how such mistreatment should stop. Besides, it also teaches children what sounds these animals make.”
Though older members of the population would prefer to read stories, the fact that World Storytelling Day exists is proof of the wonder of a story well told. The sentiment is summed up by children’s author Khyrunnisa A., “Wherever you look, there’s a story waiting to be told. Stories are among the most beautiful and wonderful things we have, so let’s tell one another wonderful, enjoyable and funny stories.”
On that note, set aside the daily grind for a moment, and tell someone a story that may inspire them to slay their own metaphorical dragons.
Art of storytelling
What began over two decades ago in faraway Sweden as an occasion to celebrate the tradition of oral storytelling has slowly turned into a worldwide phenomenon. Despite limited coordination on a global level, the intangible magic of storytelling has ensured that countries and cultures come together every year on the spring equinox (autumn equinox for those in the Southern Hemisphere) and celebrate the art of telling stories.
For parents who have taken up telling their children stories, A. Nirmala, Principal of Shanthiniketan School, has a few pointers:
1. Attention span varies with age, avoid telling small children long stories.
2. Putting too much emphasis on the moral of a story can reduce its value.
3. Reference good behavioural traits (such as washing hands, eating vegetables etc.) within stories.
4. Keep bedtime stories peaceful and encouraging.