When I was a kid, I often heard the word “nifty” in reference to things like fancy cars and outrageous fashion. It alluded to the uniqueness and stylishness of the subject being described. As time passed, I heard the word used in a wider range of conversations, including nifty evenings out, nifty concerts, and nifty songs. Later still, it cropped up in conversations about more “cultural” experiences: nifty books, nifty poems, and nifty stories. See More Info..
The word seemed allusively defined, yet attractively so. Still, I did not really define the word until I found myself using it to refer to the stories I tell to audiences and on recordings. Actually, it was a listener who called my material “nifty stories,” and that comment sent me to the books. The current Wiktionary defines the word as “good; a general term for anything that is good, useful or beneficial.” A thesaurus gives synonyms such as “peachy, smashing, dandy, great, keen, and groovy,” all of which strike me as exchanging one jargon term for another!”
So how do I define nifty stories? The stories I tell always have a message, a lesson, a bit of perspective, and they are, indeed, particularly good and rather effective at making their point. You could say that my idea of stories that are nifty are ones that entertain as well as enlighten. There needs to be a message beyond a witty punch line. see more..
Nifty stories are stories that teach. Nifty stories appeal to a broad audience. Nifty stories travel beyond the culture from which they originate. Nifty stories are always in vogue. Stories such as these hold the listener’s attention long enough to send their message effectively. Nifty stories are worth their weight in gold! Check out my website at www.JayStetzer.com for some nifty stories! Free mother son stories
February 1st, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Gifts for the holidays. Birthday gifts. Those occasional gifts rewarding good behavior. I spent some serious hours searching for something unique, something meaningful. It was tough going most of the time.
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:46 pm
I’ll be sure to link to you.
February 5th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Contemporary society is far removed from rural villages of old, but the old stories still remain pertinent.
Some world stories are downright funny. Other world stories are filled with mystery. Many world stories are insightful. Often world stories are inscrutable.
February 6th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Something that the listener can relate to. Call it a message. Perhaps it gives a hint of direction. It might even state a moral. The name one might give to this ephemeral quality is not as important as the fact that the stories I tell actually possess it.
February 10th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
I keep coming back to this blog. I liked reading this blog.
February 11th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Folks can relate to and empathize with the characters involved in these hilarious comedies. Priceless situations create priceless humor.
World stories also capitalize on priceless humor. These stories always bring gales of laughter when they are told. Two good examples from my CD Fables in Four Minutes are “Rock Soup” and “Herschel in the Woods” Listen to “The Egg Seller” or “Hickory Dock” from World Full of Stories.
February 12th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
This info will be helpful. More great info.
February 13th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Listeners are left to figure out the message for themselves. And there may be a different message for each listener. Stories such as these are inclined to be more widely popular. The subtler lessons tend to come from longer tales. Epic stories have many layered lessons Think of the difference between an Aesop fable and a tale from the Arabian Nights.
February 14th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Very helpful stuff here.
February 18th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
It was a word that meant a variety of things, all of them good and attractive. As time passed, I heard the word used in a wider range of conversations, including nifty evenings out, nifty concerts, and nifty songs. Even later, the word took on a more cultured definition in reference to poems, books, and, of course, nifty stories.
Whenever I heard the word I assumed it meant something good, something attractive. Still, I did not really define the word until I found myself using it to refer to the stories I tell to audiences and on recordings.
February 22nd, 2009 at 9:56 pm
I will bookmark this one.
February 27th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Their stories grow out of this mythical soil. Many world stories derive from mythology. They include creation stories along with other stories that explain the world.
By contrast, folk tales spawn from daily village life. These stories rise out of a rural setting for obvious reasons.
February 28th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Any story with a moral at the end sends the listener a clear message. It teaches by example. On the other hand, many stories are not so obvious in the lessons they offer. The characters may act out the meaning of the story. Listeners are left to figure out the message for themselves.
March 14th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
I will come back to this site. Simply great.
May 19th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Found you blog great.
July 3rd, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Lovin your blog.
July 9th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
You can also find many examples of priceless humor in world stories. These stories always bring gales of laughter when they are told. Two good examples from my CD Fables in Four Minutes are “Rock Soup” and “Herschel in the Woods” Listen to “The Egg Seller” or “Hickory Dock” from World Full of Stories. These are just a few examples of priceless humor. These stories will stick with you long after you heard them.
July 11th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Priceless humor arises out of priceless situations.
World stories also capitalize on priceless humor. The retelling of such stories never ceases to bring gales of laughter to listeners. Two good examples from my CD Fables in Four Minutes are “Rock Soup” and “Herschel in the Woods” My CD World Full of Stories has many examples a listener can enjoy. These are just a few examples of priceless humor.
July 27th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
It might even state a moral. It doesn’t really matter what name you give to this elusive quality; it is more important that the stories I tell possess it.
Even when I was growing up, I found myself deeply touched by inspirational stories. I heard similar stories from my mother and my grandfather. Occasionally a teacher would tell a story that meant a great deal to me.
September 18th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
The name one might give to this ephemeral quality is not as important as the fact that the stories I tell actually possess it.
As a child I found deep meaning in inspirational stories. I heard similar stories from my mother and my grandfather. Occasionally a teacher would tell a story that meant a great deal to me. I was surprised to find how memorable those stories were.
October 17th, 2009 at 1:40 am
I will remember this site. Thanks for sharing this.
October 27th, 2009 at 5:38 am
This page is worth bookmarking.
November 6th, 2009 at 6:48 am
Awesome.