For centuries stories have been told and retold throughout the world. How come? For one thing, they are entertaining. For another, they deal with the human condition. Even animal characters in stories act out the situations of our own humanity.
For centuries as well, life has been a struggle. Conflict. Pestilence. Thorny relationships. Struggles that implore some understanding, some support. Some kind of resolution.
Needless to say, no one cares to listen to preaching. We desire to sweeten our bitter medicines. That is where laughter comes in. It is the honey in the brew. Witty humor is priceless humor. An awesome blend of entertainment and enlightenment.
As you know, laughter lightens the heart. Laughter enlivens the spirit. And everyone loves to laugh at the foibles of our own species (as long as it happens at the expense of another). This is priceless humor.
Look around you at the great humorists. Dave Barry. Mark Russell. Garrison Kiellor. Check out the humorists of history. Moliere. Ogden Nash. Storytellers all. Painting scenes with priceless humor.
What makes priceless humor? There is a simple answer to this question. Priceless humor involves situations which most of us have experienced. The lost keys. The misunderstood comment. The consequences that follow are generally laughable.
The world of urban folktales is a rich source of priceless humor. My CD Parking in Manhattan illustrates many humorous circumstances. These hilarious comedies involve characters everybody can relate to and empathasize with. Priceless humor arises out of priceless situations.
World stories also capitalize on priceless humor. These stories always bring gales of laughter when they are told. Check out “Rock Soup” or “Herschel in the Woods” from my CD Fables in Four Minutes. My CD World Full of Stories has many examples a listener can enjoy. These are just a few examples of priceless humor. These stories will stick with you long after you heard them. You can find priceless humor and more at www.jaystetzer.com.
When I am out and about, I tune into conversations around me. They are laden with disasters and catastrophes. And the life lessons are generally hidden from view. It is my job as a storyteller to sort out the meaning from all the information I hear. Also, I need to inject a bit of humor to make the tale palatable. Priceless humor.
Virtually every storytelling genre contains examples of priceless humor. Why? Another simple answer. Laughter makes learning easier. A story with priceless humor often comes with a lesson attached. Priceless humor is… priceless!
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Thank you. I’ll be back for sure.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Cautionary tales abound, all of them containing messages to avert disaster. Stay out of the dark forest! Keep away from wild animals! Do not talk to strangers! On the other hand, reward and happy endings comprise many folktales. Good is eternally pitted against evil. The Golden Rule reigns supreme. Regardless of genre, any worthy world story can be applied to contemporary life.
February 7th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Art Buchwald. Mark Russell. Russell Baker. Check out the humorists of history. Mark Twain Henry Fielding All of them were storytellers.
February 8th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
It teaches using a concrete example. On the other hand, many stories are not so obvious in the lessons they offer. The meaning is hidden in the actions of the characters. It is up to the listener to decipher the message. And there may be a different message for each listener.
February 9th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
All cultures regard certain notions as sacred. You can also find things demonic. Their stories regularly exhibit these notions. Their stories grow out of this mythical soil. Many world stories derive from mythology.
February 15th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
To me, nifty stories are a blend of entertainment and education, or what some call “edutainment. ” I look for stories with certain underlying values that help the listener to set their internal compass when sailing through life.
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.
February 16th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
great info.
February 17th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Stories such as these are inclined to be more widely popular. Longer stories are likely to be more subtle in the lessons that result. One can learn many lessons from epic stories. Just compare a tale from the Arabian Nights to a fable by Aesop to see the difference. Which one appeals to you? Personally, I like to find my own message when listening to a story.
March 12th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Mark Russell. Russell Baker. Look at history and the humorists that litter the pages. Mark Twain Henry Fielding All of them were storytellers. Painting scenes with priceless humor.
March 19th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Write more soon. This blog was great.
April 15th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Like the blog. Thanks.
April 29th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Awesome. I wish I had found this site sooner.
May 7th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
I will tell my friends about this site.
May 30th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Second, the lives we live give us no breathing space to reflect. In the absence of time and reflection, we have precious little available insight to bring to current affairs. Here is the place for inspirational stories. A listener can mull over inspirational stories. They offer something to think about.
June 7th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
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. I quickly realized that a good gift is hard to find. A meaningful gift is even harder to find.
June 9th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Keep the great information coming. I will be sure to remember this place.
July 5th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Your posts are great. Rockin blog.
July 31st, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Groovy blog. Many Thanks.
August 18th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
More great info.
September 4th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Messages that made me who I am today.
I find myself using stories I heard long ago when I perform today. They have an ageless quality. The messages are as relevant now as they were long ago.
What’s so important about inspirational stories? For one thing, we experience a deluge of information and news on a daily basis.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:41 am
Really great.
October 28th, 2009 at 5:39 am
com you will find a rich source of priceless humor!
When I am out and about, I tune into conversations around me. They are filled with catastrophes and disasters. The conversants generally cannot see the life lesson they offer. As a storyteller, my job is to sift through the data and sort out the meaning. Also, I need to inject a bit of humor to make the tale palatable.
January 28th, 2010 at 8:57 am
Thanks so much. I will be reading more soon.