World Stories on the Net
Throughout the world stories have been told and retold for millennia. They act as vital threads that weave through the fabric of a culture. They lend definition, roots, and significance to society. World stories spread as the culture grows.
One of the great benefits of my travels around the world is the wellspring of world stories I have found in each country I have visited. And each time I visit another country I have the opportunity to learn a bit about it. Customs and rituals. Daily habits and geography. So the world stories I hear have substantial meaning to me. 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, around the United States, Canada, and Europe. I find myself amazed at both the differences and similarities of the various countries.
All cultures regard certain notions as sacred. You can also find things demonic. Their stories regularly exhibit these notions. They make up the mythical soil out of which the stories grow. Myth forms the basis for many world stories. They include creation stories along with other stories that explain the world.
By contrast, folk tales spawn from daily village life. Naturally, stories of the folk world are couched in rural settings. The world of folktales is also inhabited by fairy tales. The questioning minds of preliterate villagers found apt expression through stories of magic and mystery. Many folktales were cautionary tales with lessons for avoiding catastrophe. Do not go into the deep, dark woods! Keep away from wild animals! Do not talk to strangers! On the other hand, reward and happy endings comprise many folktales. Good and evil are eternal foes. One can discover the Golden Rule in most plots. Regardless of genre, any worthy world story can be applied to contemporary life. And that brings us to storytelling today. Contemporary society is far removed from rural villages of old, but the old stories still remain pertinent.
Some world stories are downright funny. Other world stories are filled with mystery. Many world stories are full of insight. Often world stories are enigmatic. Generally world stories teach. All world stories keep us amused.
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. And in distant worlds they still have meaning.
To enjoy the breadth of subject matter found in world stories, listen to my CD entitled “World Full of Stories.” It is an award winning journey that will take you around the globe!
March 4th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
I wish I had found this site sooner.
March 5th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
And it is appropriate for all ages, children included. A CD full of stories will provide hours of pleasure. Imagine the trip around the world your progeny can take on the wings of a story!
My “Recordings” page on this website lists three story CDs. Fables in Four Minutes contains ten wonderful stories from ten different storytelling genres. World Full of Stories has a dozen stories that will take the listeners on a trip around the world.
March 6th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Many folktales were cautionary tales with lessons for avoiding catastrophe. 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 and evil are eternal foes. The Golden Rule reigns supreme. Regardless of genre, any worthy world story can be applied to contemporary life.
March 15th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Contemporary society is far removed from rural villages of old, but the old stories still remain pertinent.
Some world stories are downright funny. Other world stories are filled with mystery. Many world stories are full of insight. Often world stories are enigmatic.
March 25th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Great day dude. This info will be helpful.
April 2nd, 2009 at 5:25 pm
What makes priceless humor? There is a simple answer to this question. Priceless humor revolves about common everyday experiences. The missed appointment. The comic situation. The consequences that follow are generally laughable.
April 16th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
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. The retelling of such stories never ceases to bring gales of laughter to listeners.
May 19th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Keep up the good work.
June 5th, 2009 at 6:49 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. Epic stories have many layered lessons Think of the difference between an Aesop fable and a tale from the Arabian Nights. Which one appeals to you? My personal penchant is for finding my own lessons when I listen to a story. The stories I chose for my Fables in Four Minutes and World Full of Stories CDs are good examples of nifty stories with subtle messages.
June 10th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
The Golden Rule reigns supreme. Regardless of genre, any worthy world story can be applied to contemporary life. And that’s where modern day storytelling has a place. Modern society is a far cry from rural villages, yet the stories ring true regardless.
Some world stories are humorous.
June 15th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
I keep coming back to this blog. This was helpful stuff.
June 26th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Care for some inspiration? At http://www. jaystetzer. com you can find memorable inspirational stories. On the “Listen” page of my website, click any one of the story samples and you are likely to find a message worth your time. “The Egg Seller” and “Herschel and the Wedding” from the World Full of Stories CD are good examples of inspirational stories.
July 5th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Generally world stories contain lessons. All world stories entertain.
No matter what, all world stories maintain a deep bond with the fabric of their culture. The experiences of people are drawn in world stories. And they have merit in worlds far removed from their origin.
July 10th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Something that gives us perspective.
Care for some inspiration? You can find inspirational stories and more at http://www. jaystetzer. com. On the “Listen” page of my website, click any one of the story samples and you are likely to find a message worth your time.
July 17th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Lovin your blog.
July 19th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Give back to your community. I am who I am because of those messages.
I find myself using stories I heard long ago when I perform today. They have an ageless quality. The messages of long ago still have merit in the world today.
July 27th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Great blog. Groovy.
August 5th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
You should write more. Thanks.
August 6th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Any story with a moral at the end sends the listener a clear message. It teaches using a concrete example. On the other hand, many stories are not so obvious in the lessons they offer. The characters may act out the meaning of the story. Listeners are left to figure out the message for themselves.
August 7th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
This was helpful stuff.
August 15th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
This is a great blog dude. Blog is great.
August 29th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
I liked reading this blog. Your blog is awesome.
September 28th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
I will tell my friends about this site.
October 10th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
Great day dude. Great post.
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:52 am
Love the blog. Thanks for sharing.
October 29th, 2009 at 4:12 am
All good.
November 1st, 2009 at 5:15 am
Great post. I will be reading more soon.
November 2nd, 2009 at 5:16 am
Keep the good posts coming.
November 8th, 2009 at 5:21 am
Keep the great information coming.
November 22nd, 2009 at 5:28 am
This blog is rockin.
November 24th, 2009 at 5:28 am
And I am constantly seeking a unique gift children would treasure. Something that is memorable long after the gift is given. A memorable story is that kind of gift. And it is appropriate for all ages, children included. Think of all the pleasurable hours an entire CD of stories can provide.
December 3rd, 2009 at 5:30 am
A resolution of some sort.
At the same time, nobody likes to be preached to. We prefer to take our medicine with a bit of sweetener. That is where laughter comes in. Humor makes a hard message a bit easier to swallow.
December 23rd, 2009 at 5:36 am
I like your blog.
January 2nd, 2010 at 6:14 am
Myth forms the basis for many world stories. Creation stories form the majority of this category, along with other stories help explain the world.
Folktales, on the other hand, are generated from daily village life. Naturally, stories of the folk world are couched in rural settings. Fairy tales also live in the world of folktales.
January 14th, 2010 at 7:02 am
This was a great post.