I keep lots of memories from the days when I was a young parent. Not only those high points, but those exasperating moments as well. One of them involves purchasing gifts for my children. Holiday gifts. Birthday gifts. Gifts rewarding good behavior. I would search high and low for something meaningful, something unique. Most of the time it was rough going. I quickly realized that a good gift is hard to find. A meaningful gift is even rarer. And when I did find a special gift, I regarded it as something of a treasure. And I hoped my children would do the same.

I am now a grandparent. And I am always on the lookout for a unique gift children would enjoy. Something that is memorable long after the gift is given. One great gift I have found is a memorable story. And it is suitable for children of all ages. A CD full of stories will provide hours of pleasure. Think of the glimpse it can give into cultures and customs from countries around the world.

My “Recordings” page on this website lists three story CDs. Fables in Four Minutes is a collection of ten stories, each one representing a different storytelling genre. For listeners who want to take a virtual trip around the world, World Full of Stories makes a unique present. My latest project is Parking in Manhattan, and it contains a compendium of urban folktales that will tickle the funny bone. To purchase my CDs, just follow the directions on the “Recordings” page to place your order.

Hunting for a unique gift children will enjoy and appreciate? A unique gift children will never get tired of? A unique gift children can enjoy sharing with their friends and family? A memorable gift is the gift of story. The kind of unique gift children will treasure for a long time to come.

I grew up with the word “nifty” as a standard descriptor in my vocabulary. 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. Even later, the word took on a more cultured definition in reference to poems, books, and, of course, nifty stories. www.jaystetzer.com

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, I hit the books when a listener said my stories were nifty. 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!” Go here..

What was my listener describing when he called my stories “nifty?” The stories I choose to tell are, indeed, particularly good and rather effective at making a point, a lesson, a message, a bit of perspective. 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. World stories

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. Any stories of worth are nifty stories. You can find great nifty stories on www.Jaystetzer.com

Throughout the world stories have been told and retold for millennia. They act as vital threads that weave through the fabric of any culture. They lend definition, roots, and significance to society. World stories spread as the culture grows.

I have been blessed by the number of world stories I have found from my travels throughout the world. And each time I visit another country I have the opportunity to learn a bit about it. In turn, that lends substantial meaning to the world stories I hear. In the process, I have discovered how world stories arise out of the cultures from which they are born. The more I experience a particular culture, the more I appreciate the value of their stories. My travels have taken me to Southeast Asia, Central and South America, and Europe. I find myself amazed at both the differences and similarities of the various countries. jaystetzer.com

Some world stories are humorous. Other world stories are filled with mystery. Many world stories are insightful. Often world stories are enigmatic. Generally world stories contain lessons. All world stories entertain.

Regardless of their intent, all world stories express deep bonds with the fabric of a country and culture. People tell of their experiences through world stories. Priceless humor

Listen to my CD entitled “World Full of Stories” to enjoy the variety found in world stories. It is an award winning recording that will take you on a delightful trip around the world! You can find world stories and more at www.jaystetzer.com. Similar.

Stories have been told and retold for centuries throughout the world. How come? Because they are entertaining, for one thing. For another, they deal with the human condition. Even animal characters in stories act out the situations of our own humanity.

The struggles of life have been with us for centuries as well. Conflict. Famine. Thorny relationships. All of which beg for some direction, some assistance. Some kind of resolution.

Needless to say, no one cares to listen to preaching. We prefer to take our medicine with a bit of sweetener. Enter laughter. It is the honey in the brew. Witty humor is priceless humor. An awesome blend of entertainment and enlightenment.

As you know, everyone loves to laugh. Laughter takes the sting out of life. 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. George Carlin. Garrison Kiellor. Check out the humorists of history. Mark Twain Henry Fielding All of them were storytellers. Painting scenes with priceless humor.

Priceless humor… what makes it priceless? The answer is simple. Priceless humor involves situations which most of us have experienced. The missed appointment. The misunderstood comment. The laughable consequences generally follow in quick succession.

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.

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” 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. At www.jaystetzer.com you will find a rich source of priceless humor!

When I am out and about, I tune into conversations around me. They are laden with disasters and catastrophes. 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. To make the tale palatable, I inject a bit of humor. Priceless humor.

There is priceless humor in virtually every genre. What is the reason for it? Simple answer number two. We learn best when we are laughing. There is often a lesson to be learned through a story with priceless humor. Priceless humor is… priceless!