Liz Warren | Storyteller

I’m taking Multicultural Folktales II for several reasons. One,
it’s one of the required courses, so will be relevant toward one day getting
the Storytelling Certificate.  Two, because understanding folktales should
give me greater understanding of story structure for personal stories, which
happen to be my favorite.  Three, I want to learn some folktales to become
a better-rounded teller.  And finally, I’m in this class because it keeps
me connected to other storytellers in the community. 

Which is more important?  They’re all important,
but being connected to other storytellers and learning some folktales to tell
is really what stands out for me right now.  Being in class, exchanging
ideas, talking about stories and their impact, hearing and seeing other tellers
tell tales, is all inspiring me!  I hear a story, and imagine telling a
folk tale to my little great nieces next time I see them.  I fancy the
idea of being someone they remember when they are grown up, as the one who
always told stories to them!  Remember how Aunt Sally used to tell us
stories?  I was always so excited to have her visit! 

For this to become a reality, I need to learn some
stories and practice telling them.  But I need to remember to tell them to
adults, too, since folktales weren’t intended for children.  I am certain
that my-brother-in law, the little red heads’ Grandpa, will get just as
big a kick out of the stories as the girls do.

I hope to gain confidence in telling folktales, to get
a handful of folktales to tell, and when an opportunity presents itself to tell
a folktale, jump in with both feet and just do it.   This class
should help me make the leap between telling personal stories and telling
folktales.

(The picture at the top shows Sally telling a folktale – yes, a folktale – at the Game and Fish Expo last March.)