People ran away from her, uncomfortable, frightened. I dress myself up so that I am more pleasing to behold. Truth did, and from that time on Truth and Parable have been inseparable friends, revered by everyone, the foundation of stories. Adam and Eve probably told each other stories in the Land of Eden. Stories were one of our first forms of communication and throughout the ages, storytelling has been a favorite way to teach morals and transmit knowledge.
Stories have a special magic.
Corinne Stavish, an English instructor and professional storyteller in Southfield, Michigan, selected the tales from well-known sources, reworked some and retold others. The stories deal with a wide range of topics including substance abuse, honesty, humility, self-respect, Israel and antisemitism. In picking the tales Stavish and Fisher looked for those that would encourage readers to discuss not only universal concearns but also issues of Jewish culture and identity. To further encourage dialogue, the book is divided into themes and has a discussion guide to aid parents, teachers and facilitators who wish to use the stories in a structured format. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036.