For as long a people have lived in communities, those words have introduced a special kind of shared experience. Stories can pass on traditions and family histories, recall ridiculous happenings, or warn of dangers. Though storytelling is not as important in our lives today as it once was, asking people to tell stories is a good way to build connections among neighbors. Stories can be especially welcome at this time of year when people have fewer opportunities to catch up with each other outdoors. If you would like to get to know a neighbor better, a good way to start is to ask for a story about your neighborhood in days gone by.
Some blocks are lucky and have a natural-born storyteller as a neighbor.
Whether you enjoy such a gift or not, you can bring people together for an informal good time by hosting an evening of swapping tales. Every storyteller needs an audience, so those who prefer just to sit and listen are welcome, too. Stories in the Park Steve Johnson of the Johnson Creek Watershed Council in Portland, Oregon, uses storytelling to help give young people a sense of ownership for a local park. Johnson recalls one day when he was speaking to a group of middle-school children who had come to help plant trees. I realized that if we were going to make a difference, we were going to have to help them believe that this park is theirs.