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Storytelling
Everyone has a story or two to tell. Knowing how to tell it is an art that anyone can learn. In a time of
instant electronic communication, OASIS Storytellers are rekindling the timeless, essential art of storytelling.
"The work I am doing with the OASIS Storytellers has given me a new lease on life," says Shaaron Peters, a
volunteer storyteller in St. Louis. "The art of telling stories develops imagination and creativity."
Shaaron is a frequent visitor to local schools and sees great potential in the power of a story to fill in gaps
between generations. "When we are with the children, it is wonderful to see them so still and concentrating
on us so hard. Our stories change their image of us," she says.
What's Your Story?
Need a good idea? Here are some hints for finding story ideas from your own life that you can share with a
child, grandchild or another young person in your life.
- Can you remember a time you tried to cook something and it didn't turn out?
- Take listeners around your neighborhood when you were growing up, or to your grandmother's house.
- Can you remember when a first impression of a person turned out to be completely wrong?
- Introduce listeners to your favorite relative and tell them what you did with that person.
- Take your listeners with you to a movie theater when you were a child or teen.
- Introduce your audience to a teacher to whom you owe a lot.
- Tell stories centered around: family celebrations, family crises, immigration experiences, embarrassing moments, loving moments.
For more great story ideas and techniques, check out Telling Your Own Stories by Donald Davis.
To learn more about the volunteer storytellers program in St. Louis, contact Harriett Spilker, program coordinator.
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