Story Telling Around The Campfire And In The Car

Lots of families will be going camping and driving in the car for long trips headed to fun vacations.  We really try to not scrimp on experiences and memory making trips, but to cut down on things when money is an issue.

Storytelling is one of the cheapest and best entertainments in the world. Turn off the electronic games and iPods and turn on the communication between real, live and loving people.

Our culture is so addicted to electronic entertainment that story telling and sharing conversations are getting to be a rare commodity. So when you have the opportunity, make a commitment to set around the campfire or snuggle up in a car traveling, or a living room and ask the questions that get the stories started.

Since the beginning of time, firelight has created a community and yet intimate setting and experience. Campfires which keep you warm and well fed with hot dogs and S'Mores, also add to the ambiance of being safe, protected and ready to share.

We loved telling stories in the car as we traveled and found that we could cover much more ground at night, than during the day when the children were awake and fussy.  It was the ritual that they came to expect as we traveled, that as the day turned to dusk, I would tell stories until one by one they fell asleep.

Many stories contain subtle clues that help the listener to concentrate and relax. After they become familiar, they can relax as your soft voice tells the same story they heard last week and requested again this trip.

Repetition is comfortable for children. They like to know what what is going to happen next in the story.  They also enjoy knowing in advance that the crisis will be solved and the tale will have a happy ending. it is okay if they fall asleep in the middle of the princess being rescued or grandma killing the rattlesnake, they know how it will end.

The best stories are very heavy with imagery and special sounds that become part of the tradition.  Each listener forms a visual image in their own mind, composted of their experiences and thought processes. 

They expect to hear the "clunk, clunk, clunk" of the shovel as Grandma saved her child from the snake.  The listeners also enjoy hearing the witch's cackle and the lion's roar. It brings the imagination alive and creates interest.

Don't be surprised to learn years later that the best part of the vacation was listening to the relatives recount adventures or hearing your mom tell "The Fairy

Tale" or one of their favorites.

By sharing stories you will grow closer to your family than you may ever have thought possible.  They will always remember being close and communicating by telling and hearing stories.

They will then tell these tales to their children and the cycle of life continues.

With gratitude,

Judy H. Wright

PS: If you are interested in writing your life story or  memoirs of loved ones see Leaving a Living Legacy at  http://www.ArtichokePress.com