Pack Creek Ranch, San Juan County, Utah
Already summer – everything in bloom – 90 degrees in town.
ONCE OR TWICE UPON A TIME . . .
The sign in front of the Moab library recognizes the human capacity to tell stories – from the most ancient traditions to the present.
Once or twice upon a time, there was or was not . . . That’s the classic beginning of stories. Storytellers have been the lubricant for ongoing human culture from the beginning of time. From before written language, storytelling preserved the richness of the human experience.
Myths, legends, fairytales, fables, Bible stories – and in versions like songs, poems, films, novels, story-slams, and theater dramas. Masters of the art like Garrison Keillor and his tales of Lake Wobegon – Bob and Ray, Click and Clack, and Monty Python.
And now, stand-up comedians keep storytelling alive.
My favorite cast appears on Dry Bar Comedy, available on YouTube. Their material is based on experiences drawn from aspects of their own lives enlivened by their creative talents. They hold up a mirror to their audience, showing the humor in the human condition. The laughter comes from recognition of their fears about life and death, family life, and the dailiness of coping with reality.
Are the stories true?
Yes and no.
The best of stories contain truth – point at truth – reflect the truth – preserve essential truth. They could be true, should be true; they resonate hopes and dreams and express the truth of many witnesses.
Storytellers are not investigative journalists. Nor are they the purveyors of fake news or outright lies. The inventive twist of humor that talented stand-up comedians put on common life elevates the commonwealth.
If you are present in a comedy club audience, and the comedian holds up the mirror of truth, and you laugh because you recognize yourself, don’t forget to notice the laughter of all those around you.
You are not alone.
That’s the power of storytelling.