“We perceive, explain, and make sense of the world through stories. They are the stars we navigate by, and that’s why storytelling is a universal human phenomenon, a vital aspect of communal life across all cultures and throughout the entirety of our known history.” -Sharon Blackie, The Enchanted Life 1
Before radio or television, storytelling was a form of entertainment. A family might get together in the evenings to read aloud from a book, act out a play, or discuss a piece of literature. People still tell stories around a campfire because it reminds us of our ancestral heritage. Having a cozy location where these social interactions can occur is a necessity in storytelling. Instead of just shouting at you from the void, I’d like to create a fictional place for us to meet. The aim of this exercise is to make you feel as though you’ve entered a story.
Imagine a seaside cottage with a weathered blue door…
The beach is a short drive down the hill, and you can hear the faint sound of waves in the distance. A gentle breeze blows against your face as you walk up the path. There’s no doorbell, but you notice a brass knocker in the shape of a ship’s anchor. You bring it down with a resounding clack. While you wait for my answer, you admire the lush hydrangea bushes. The pastel blooms are a lovely shade of periwinkle blue.
The door opens a moment later and I welcome you inside. The cottage smells of freshly baked cookies. Your stomach rumbles in response as you follow me down a short hallway. I lead you into a cozy kitchen filled with sunshine. Your eyes are immediately drawn to the large picture window overlooking the sea. What a spectacular view! As you gaze out at the sparkling blue water, a peaceful contentment washes over you.
‘How do you take your tea? Milk, sugar, or lemon?’ You tell me, and I start to prepare it. I set the tea tray down on the farmhouse table. To your amazement, it’s piled high with all sorts of goodies… there’s little cucumber sandwiches, buttery crumpets, fresh strawberries, and shortbread cookies. ‘Wow, this looks delicious! Thank you.’
A plume of steam spirals from the teacup. You blow on it before taking a sip. The taste is familiar – as though you’ve had it before. Or perhaps it reminds you of a pleasant memory? You can’t be sure, but it fills you with nostalgia just the same. We tuck into our food, making small talk about our busy week. The subject then shifts to books and movies. You tell me about your favorite stories, and we end up chatting for well over an hour. The chime of the clock interrupts our discussion.
‘Same time next week?’ I ask, escorting you to the door.
‘Absolutely. See you then!’
Blackie, Sharon. The Enchanted Life. September Publishing, 2021 paperback ed, p 131.
An Exercise in Storytelling
Lovely imagery and delicate. Thank you.
We ALL need a pleasant memories!