The National tribune., 1908-10-15

,,s Nothing in recent years, along edu.
cational lines, has made a more popu.
Ear appeal than the National Stcry Tell
ers' League, which came into existence
during the Summer of 1903, while the
Summer School of the South at the
State University of Knoxville, Tenn.
was holding its session. Story telling
is as old as the creation. The educa.
ton of the race began that way, fol
before writing there was only oral ira
dition. Most of the best of our classic
~ literature, like Homer's great epics, the
Nibelungenlied," ETC., were stories told
by the professional story tellers, and
handed down in this way from genera
ton to generation. More than 1000
teachers We're gathered at this Summer
School, and it occurred to some
one to suggest meeting on the lawn
at the close of day, and tell stories
Seated on the grass in the fading twi-
. light, the beautiful trees, with their
overshadowing branches, forming fit
ting and inspiring surrounding, the lit
tie circle told their stories, continuing
them till the face and form of the
story teller was gradually blotted out
by the on-coming night. Even when
complete darkness reigned, and the cir
Gle became nothing but voice, the
stories went on. their effect marvelously
heightened by the unusual setting.
These meetings were nothing short of
an inspiration to the teachers gathered
there under the trees who were quick
,., to, see the educational possibility in the
idea, and many of them returned to
their homes to form local leagues. Now
there are S5 such leagues in good work.
ing condition, extending from New York
.st to Texas. They are generally composed
of kindergartenerS-story telling being
"a very important part Of their work
professors, students, and teachers, tho
all may join the league who desire to
do so, provided they hold themselves in
readiness to tell story when called
-, upon. The meetings of these local
leagues are frequently held in the
Children's room of the Public Library,
no class of people being more interested
In the work than the librarians. But
the favorite place for gathering is be-
fore glowing open fire In room
lighted by candles alone, and this de-
lightful setting for the stories Is gener-
ally only found in private residence.
Mr.. Richard T. Wyche. of New York,
Is the President of the National League,
and the annual membership fee is SO
cents, to be paid to the Treasurer and
Secretary, Mr.. James Watson, Dillon,
sc.
The school children have become so
interested in this movement that they
i, have organized junior leagues. one little
girl belonging to a fifth, grade school
at Corinth, Miss, making her home the
place of meeting for all the children in
her neighborhood, who have gathered
there to hear her stories She told
them just as she played her games, in a
spontaneous. creative way, and from
the radiance and Inspiration Of that lit
tie circle many others have sprung.
The children are not restricted as to
the kind of stories they shall tell, only
they are requested not to tell silly sto-
ries They search thru book after book
TO find just the right ones. and their
selection ie almost invariably excellent.
The best of the Morse, Greek, and In
:. dian myths, nature stories by Kfpling,
Seton-Thompson and other nature
: writer's Shakesperean stories, such as
Macbeth. The Merchant OF Venice. etc,
stories of adventure, Bible stories, and
the most famous of the great fairy sto-
ries have all been told by these boys
and girls. One teacher found her little
audience anxious for ghost stories, and
told them some of those wonderful
creepy tales of Poe, and Stephenson's
famous Bottle Imp" thus making
them acquainted with the best stories
of this character which have ever been
written The work done by these chill
? dren in the junior leagues is Of the
greatest Importance. They are becom-
ing familiar, in the most agreeable way
possible, with the gems of literature,
IA thus forming, while at the most inn
pressionable period of life, taste for
the best Continued practice in the
agination and fancy, and give them one
of the best gifts of the gods to men,
. rich vocabulary, with case and fiuency
In conversation. From these little story
telling circles why may we not expect
the books of the future to possess
greater beauty and ideality in concep-
ton and expression than characterizes
the mass of literature which now fills
our bookstores? One very practical re-
suit from these storytelling leagues is
the establishment of new and we'll
paying vocation. Many young ladies now
make comfortable living by telling
stories at children's parties, ladies'
luncheons. in sick rooms, hospitals, etc.
In some of the large cities, New York
for instance, the young lady who has a
repertory of good, unusual stories, who
: tells them with charm, and who Is the
fortunate possessor OF pleasing, at
tractive personality. has more engage
ments than she can possibly attend to.