Storytelling is Magical.
Whether you tell a personal tale or a folktale or a fairy tale or one made up in the corners of your mind; you are creating magic. We recognize the power of the oral tradition and we are transformed by it.
It is February, a month dedicated to so many things like love and history and even groundhogs. What stories will you be sharing? What is your love story?
I started telling stories in childhood probably like the rest of you. I never realized I would fall in love with this art and champion it where ever I go.
Tell your stories of love to all you meet. Listen to stories too, because listening is a big part of storytelling. When you hear a story that moves you, tell us about it.We want to share your discoveries with our members in the “Break a Leg”column.
Happy Valentine’s Day!!
A thought for Your Day:
A good storyteller is the conscience-keeper of a nation.
- Gulzar,poet, lyricist,
and film director (b. 18 Aug 1934)
Once there was a crow who had grown so thirsty he could barely caw. He flew down to a big pitcher where he had gotten a drink of water the day before, but there was only a little bit of water remaining at the bottom.
He tried and tried to reach it with his beak, but the pitcher was too deep and his beak was too short.
But just as he was about to give up, he knew what to do. He flew back and forth from the garden to the pitcher until he was able to drink easily from the pitcher while sitting on its edge.
What did the crow do?
Becky Walstrom, member at large, was Executive Director and President of the Advisory Council of the St. Louis Storytelling Festival for 15 years. During her working years at UMSL, Becky served as the Elderhostel coordinator/director, held various positions with the Staff Council, served multiple years on the board of the State organization MAACCE (Missouri Association of Adult, Community and Continuing Education) and was the liaison with the national organization, AAACE (American Association of Adult and Continuing Education).
Collaborating with the National Storytelling Network, Becky served on the executive committee for the 2007 National Storytelling Conference. Along with the St. Louis Festival, Becky was the recipient of the 2010 ORACLE award for leadership and service. In addition, Becky received the 2008 MAACCE (Missouri Association of Adult, Community and Continuing Education) Special Achievement Award for leadership and contributions to the St. Louis Festival.
Following retirement in 2014, Becky enjoys various activities including travel and spending winter months in Florida. Favorite hobbies: listening to a really good story, reading, spending time at the lake and an occasional game of golf.