The Spirituality of Storytelling

Storytelling is an integral aspect of teaching and life.  We tell stories to communicate, to impart wisdom, to entertain, to amuse and to make sense out of our human experience.  We need it as much as we need food or love.

Recently, I heard E. O. Wilson, the great naturalist and writer, talking about how storytelling is one of the most human things we can participate in.  I agree.  He said that it feels like we are hard wired to tell stories, both personal and epoch, to share our human condition: the love, the humor, the sadness and the deep lessons that stories convey in a way that nothing else can.  Stories truly connect us and the lessons they impart stay with us well beyond the story.

Every Friday, as a reward to my students, I tell students stories from my personal life and stories I have heard.  The students are riveted and ask for more.  We discuss the meanings of these stories and how they apply to our lives.  A few parents have related that the students have gone home and related these stories word for word.  The best stories transmit wonder, something that we can always use more of in the classroom and life.

 Here is one of my favorite stories to tell the students.  If you like it, share it and feel free to change and adapt it to make them more meaningful.

Story #1-The House Builder

Once there was a house builder named Joe who had built houses for over 40 years.  He was ready to retire, but his boss told him he wanted him to build one more house.  Joe didn’t want to build the house, but told his boss that he would do it, if he could retire immediately upon completion of the house.  The boss agreed.

Joe worked quickly and sloppily with his crew, not laying enough cement for the foundation, only putting on one coat of paint, and cutting corners wherever he could to get the job done quickly.  He didn’t feel good about the shoddy job, but he just wanted to get it done.  He knew the house would look OK for a couple years, but then, all the poor workmanship would show, after he was gone.

He did finish ahead of schedule and his boss asked him to meet him at the work site the next day.  That next day, Joe approached his boss with shame, feeling that his boss had figured out what was going on.  Surprisingly, Joe’s boss had an enormous smile on his face.  He asked Joe to hold out his hand.  He pulled out a key, placed it in Joe’s hand and said, “Joe, I appreciate all the hard work you have done for me over the past 40 years, so I wanted you to build one more house so I can give to you.  Here is your house that you get to live in Joe.  Enjoy it.”

Many students see this story as an example of building their education and the importance of not cheating or taking shortcuts.  

I will end with a quote from Fred Rogers, the creator and star of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood on PBS.  He carried around a quote in his wallet from a social worker that said, “There isn’t anyone you couldn’t learn to love once you have heard their story.”  We all have a story, we just need to take the time to listen and learn to love a little more.

I will share a couple other favorite stories next week.