Once Upon a Time…
These words that capture a child’s attention, inviting their imagination to a universe full of wonder, will forever influence generations upon generations through the art of storytelling. Storytelling is the art of sharing a story through amplified theatrics, embellishments, and most importantly, soul. It is necessary for everyone, but especially important for young children. Through different mediums, a child will begin to recognize vocabulary and patterns. They will begin to identify certain themes and lessons and determine what is good and what is evil. The stories we tell to the ones who listen with impressionable ears will mimic these tales, bringing them to life. Put into perspective, at the beginning of his life, a son’s eyes glisten as his father reads him a story of a pilot. In the climax of his life, his father’s eyes tear up as he admires his son flying a plane through the sky.
Why is it that we don’t begin our very own stories that way? Why must our retellings of the moments we live be lifeless and mundane?
Put it into perspective. Who would you be today without stories?
Regrettably, the art of storytelling has become lost. Not only have the youth begun to suffer for it, but those who cling to hope in the desolate avenue of adulthood suffer as well. Why has society deemed it necessary to avoid storytelling? Eccentric vocabulary is necessary, delivery is craved! Why do we limit ourselves to negative speech and shallow conversations? Perhaps it is because the world to us grownups isn’t as vivid and animated as we witnessed as a child. But I believe our love of storytelling hasn’t faded. It has only been smothered by the negative outlook of the current state of the world.
As children, we are protected by the cause of this outlook. Our view of the world is intimate and innocent. The people we interact with are kind and curious. There is little room for animosity.
We must ask ourselves, when did our spark fade? Human beings, if anything else are natural born storytellers. From the beginning of time, we have told stories to our audience with pride, energy, and nostalgia. We have conquered the times that do not offer peace, and we continue. We still have hope.
The life you live is not insignificant. You are not insignificant. You remain to experience a moment uniquely exciting to you, and if you are willing, share that moment with the rest of the world that is listening.