The Power of a Story

All good stories have at least one thing in common, and that is they unite people together to listen. Throughout all of history, whether it is the President on television giving an address, or a story from the Bible, this fact is true-- the person telling the story is looking to engage a group of people. Their purpose in telling the story, a moral or to conjure up awareness, does not always translate to the person reading or listening. However, a good story teller will always move the person who is listening.


I fully realized the power of a story when I was a senior in High School. There was this very pretty girl that I had known for awhile. She finally was single but I did not know exactly the right way to approach her and get her to feel comfortable around me. I had never felt this before; I had been with other girls but no one made me feel the way this one made me feel.

One day, after a long volleyball tournament, there were a few parents standing outside the gymnasium talking. Included in this group, was my own mom, and in fact the girl that I had a crush on. For some reason, I have always been good with parents. The Dads I respect, and can talk sports with. The Moms I can joke with, and be nice to, as well. I did not know how I could capture the attention of the room. Suddenly, when the topic changed to little children’s toys, I saw my opportunity, just like seeing an open spot on the volleyball court, and I told the following story.

When I was three, we used to always have yard sales. This was a good way for mom to clean up some of the older items we did not use anymore, and to help out those who were in greater need than us. I used to love coming outside and helping collect the money, we charged mere dimes for everything but it was a few bucks we got to keep for helping out and definitely a great way to spend a weekend morning with my family. The rules of the Yard Sale were always very simple, we parked one car in the back of the driveway and I had to stay behind that car if I was going to play with my toys.

So it was your regular, autumn morning, beautiful out. I remember playing with one of my favorite toys.  It was a big green zoo, and it had a wide variety of animals glued to the green base which was the grass. I had to go to the bathroom so I ran inside. When I came outside, much to my dismay, my mother had sold the toy to another family while I was going to the bathroom. Even at the young age of three I gave my mother a hard time by saying I would not go to the bathroom because she might sell another one of my toys.

Long story short, that girl ended up becoming the first girl that I ever loved. I believe our friendship has reached the depths it has because of that one day.  Stories last generations, and the best way to ensure of this is have a blast creating the events that go in the stories, then write them down the next day ( usually hungover with a cup of coffee and a cig).

Good Marnin's to everyone, how about those new york metropolitans... As jim carrey says... "SO YOU'RE TELLIN' ME THERES A CHANCE"