This is an excellent spoken word tape from storyteller Wendy Berner. The kid in us grinned through this entire collection of tales, most of them based on traditional sources from Aesop to Japanese traditions. [img width=755.125px]//7ca49eb9f67ba1319ef136f9d52cd8b8.cdn.bubble.io/f1728526589384x890725350623649400/richtext_content.jpeg[/img] Parents should learn art of storytelling Storytelling has been around since the beginning of time. It is one of the oldest art forms and is common in every culture. Wendy Berner is the founder and chairperson of Stories Alive! a Calgary area story- telling association. It is for storytellers, tellers-to-be and listeners. The organization is voluntary and non-profit. It began last September. "We are dedicated to promoting the art and oral tradition of storytelling," said Berner. Members are adults, from all walks of life. They attend meetings simply because they love to hear or tell stories. Some have never told a story while others love to tell some. The group is very informal and each month has a tellaround which is a story sharing session. You can participate if you have a story to tell or you can simply listen and enjoy. The member- ship has grown from eight to 37. Last November they held a Tellabration '91 which was a sell-out. They also gave two public concerts in celebration of Alberta Family Day. Some members have been invited to give workshops at festivals, conferences, schools and public events. The interest in storytelling is growing. "More value is being placed on storytelling," said Berner. "It is being recognized as a rich and ir- replaceable aspect of our Canadian culture." Today there are over 12 storytelling associations across Cana- da. There are also many annual storytelling festivals. While Stories Alive! is a group for adults, I think the benefits of parents passing along the tradition of storytelling within their family is important. The children I know love to hear stories. If you've ever told your kids a story, you know that once they've heard it, they want to hear it again and again. "Most storytellers say that it takes about six months to a year to make a story your own," said Berner This made me remember that a couple of times, I would tell a story to my kids to try to teach a lesson. It seemed like such a good idea at the time. I made up one about a little boy who cried wolf to try to stop my daughter from screaming. The other one was about a little boy who wouldn't take a bath and how when his grandparents came back from Arizona with gifts they didn't recognize him so he got nothing ... until he took a bath. Of course these stories totally backfired. Neither child changed their behavior and every time there seemed to be a break in time, one of my kids would say, "Tell me about John or the little boy who wouldn't bath." I was so sick of those stories I could have screamed. They were so boring. Let me assure you that these were not great literary stories. However both kids loved to hear them and if I missed out even one little sentence they would correct me. Just this summer we were driving and one of them said "Remember the John story and the one about the little boy who wouldn't bath." I moaned and they both laughed and said that they really did like those stories. They knew what was going to happen. I remember lamenting to my mother about these crazy stories and she looked at me and said, "Don't you remember the story about the circus and the little car with all the people in it?" Immediately that story came to mind and I could vividly remember begging Mom to tell me it again and again even though I could have repeated it from memory. I loved that story. I know my mom gets satisfaction from my parenting stories as I'm sure I will one day as my kids tell me theirs. Even now with one child at 12, and the other nearly 14, 1 resort to saying, "I sure hope your kids do this to you. I can't wait to see how you'll react." They chuckle now or say, "Oh Mom." Telling stories is a great family activity. But the other reason I think Stories Alive! is worth mentioning in a parenting column is that everyone needs something to do besides being a parent. This would be an excel- lent organization for meeting others, learning some new skills or simply sitting back and being able to enjoy a good story. No ex- pensive tools are needed. No previous experience is required. Storytelling is not reading something. It is simply telling a story and allowing the audience to make its own pictures. Stories may be things such as family tales, myths, folktales, urban legends, tall tales or ghost stories. Sometimes a family anecdote can be looked at and after repeated tellings a story can be flushed out. Stories must be told and re- told so that you have an audience to react to it. It is important for a storyteller to get a response and some feedback. If you are interested in storytelling, Stories Alive! is hosting a StoryEvening at Bowness Park, Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 7:15 p.m. This will be a celebration of Jack Tales and other stories. You can come as a teller or a listener. Bring a blanket to sit on. Provisions are made for rain. Call 251-6459 or 282-6639 during business hours for more information. Wendy Berner, the catalyst for Stories Alive!, is a professional storyteller with a background in theatre and arts and drama education. As I talked to her I sensed her love of storytelling as well as her enthusiasm. She will be giving a two-part storytelling workshop for beginners and those who have some experience at Fort Calgary Historic Park. 750 9th Ave. S.E. The topic Aug. 8 is Family and Community Stories and Aug. 23 is Folklore and Folktales. Both run from 10 a.m.. to 3:45 p.m. The cost is $50 per session. You must pre-register as well as bring your own lunch. Phone 290-1875. You've probably sent your kids to summer camp here is your chance to attend.
