World stories

Stories have been told and retold for centuries throughout the world. How come? Because they are entertaining, for one thing. For another, they deal with the human condition. Even animal characters in stories act out the situations of our own humanity.

For centuries as well, life has been a struggle. Conflict. Famine. Thorny relationships. All of which beg for some direction, some assistance. Some kind of resolution.

Needless to say, no one cares to listen to preaching. We prefer to take our medicine with a bit of sweetener. That is where laughter comes in. It is the honey in the brew. Priceless humor is filled with wit and wisdom. An awesome blend of entertainment and enlightenment.

As you know, everyone loves to laugh. Laughter takes the sting out of life. And everyone loves to laugh at the foibles of our own species (as long as it happens at the expense of another). Call it priceless humor.

Look at the great humorists around us. Dave Barry. Mark Russell. Garrison Kiellor. Look at history and the humorists that litter the pages. Moliere. Ogden Nash. All of them were storytellers. Priceless humor their brush.

What makes priceless humor? The answer is simple. Priceless humor revolves about common everyday experiences. The lost keys. The misunderstood comment. The laughable consequences generally follow in quick succession.

You will find lots of priceless humor in urban folktales. Listeners can readily find many humorous circumstances in my CD Parking in Manhattan. These hilarious comedies involve characters everybody can relate to and empathasize with. Priceless humor arises out of priceless situations.

You can also find many examples of priceless humor in world stories. The retelling of such stories never ceases to bring gales of laughter to listeners. Two good examples from my CD Fables in Four Minutes are “Rock Soup” and “Herschel in the Woods” Listen to “The Egg Seller” or “Hickory Dock” from World Full of Stories. There are many similar examples of priceless humor from virtually every country on the planet. You will find yourself remembering these stories for a very long time. At www.jaystetzer.com you will find a rich source of priceless humor!

I listen to lots of conversations. They are laden with disasters and catastrophes. The conversants generally cannot see the life lesson they offer. It is my job as a storyteller to sort out the meaning from all the information I hear. Also, I need to inject a bit of humor to make the tale palatable. Priceless humor.

Virtually every storytelling genre contains examples of priceless humor. What is the reason for it? Simple answer number two. We learn best when we are laughing. There is often a lesson to be learned through a story with priceless humor. It just goes to show what a treasure priceless humor can be.

Throughout the world stories have been told and retold for millennia. In the fabric of culture, they act as vital threads in the weave. They lend definition, roots, and significance to society. As a culture grows, so do its world stories.

One of the great benefits of my travels throughout the world is the wellspring of world stories I have found in each country I have visited. And each time I visit another country I have the opportunity to learn a bit about it. So the world stories I hear have substantial meaning to me. And one of the benefits is to see how world stories come directly from the cultures of origin. My firsthand experience of a given culture heightens my appreciation of their stories. I have visited countries in Europe, Central and South America, and Southeast Asia. I find myself amazed at both the differences and similarities of the various countries.

Some world stories are downright funny. Other world stories are filled with mystery. Many world stories are full of insight. Often world stories are enigmatic. Generally world stories teach. All world stories keep us amused. Short stories

Regardless of their intent, all world stories express deep bonds with the fabric of a country and culture. People tell of their experiences through world stories.

Listen to my CD entitled “World Full of Stories” to enjoy the variety found in world stories. It is an award winning recording that will take you on a delightful trip around the world! You can find world stories and more at www.jaystetzer.com.

Everyone loves to laugh. Laughter takes the sting out of life. And as long as we are laughing at the foibles of others (and not ourselves) we find those situations funny. Call it priceless humor.

Priceless humor… what makes it priceless? There is a simple answer to this question. Priceless humor involves situations which most of us have experienced. The missed appointment. The comic situation. The laughable consequences generally follow in quick succession. Nifty stories

You will find lots of priceless humor in urban folktales. My CD Parking in Manhattan illustrates many humorous circumstances. Folks can relate to and empathize with the characters involved in these hilarious comedies. Priceless situations create priceless humor. See more..

You can also find many examples of priceless humor in world stories. These stories always bring gales of laughter when they are told. Check out “Rock Soup” or “Herschel in the Woods” from my CD Fables in Four Minutes. Listen to “The Egg Seller” or “Hickory Dock” from World Full of Stories. There are many similar examples of priceless humor from virtually every country on the planet. You will find yourself remembering these stories for a long time. Folk stories

Virtually every storytelling genre contains examples of priceless humor. What is the reason for it? Simple answer number two. We learn best when we are laughing. A story with priceless humor often comes with a lesson attached. Priceless humor is… priceless!

I am always on the lookout for stories that bring something more to listeners than a clever twist of plot. Something that the listener can relate to. Maybe there is a message. Perhaps it gives a hint of direction. There could even be an outright moral. It doesn’t really matter what name you give to this elusive quality; it is more important that the stories I tell possess it.

As a child I found deep meaning in inspirational stories. I heard similar stories from my mother and my grandfather. Once in a while, a teacher would tell a story that held profound meaning to me. I was surprised to find how memorable those stories were. To this day I still remember and follow those messages. Treat others the way you want to be treated. There is no substitute for honesty. Slow down and notice the things around you. Community giving is part of community living. Messages that made me who I am today.

Today I tell many of the stories I heard as a child. The stories are ageless. The messages of long ago still have merit in the world today.

What’s so important about inspirational stories? For one thing, we experience a deluge of information and news on a daily basis. Second, the lives we live give us no breathing space to reflect. And without time to reflect, how can we develop insight into the affairs of the day? This is where inspirational stories serve us well. Inspirational stories give listeners something to chew on. They offer something to think about. Something that points us a bit closer to our “true north.” Something that gives us perspective.

Care for some inspiration? At www.jaystetzer.com you can find memorable inspirational stories. On the “Listen” page of my website, click any one of the story samples and you are likely to find a message worth your time. “The Egg Seller” and “Herschel and the Wedding” from the World Full of Stories CD are good examples of inspirational stories. From the CD Parking in Manhattan, “Service with a Smile” brings a great message to the listener. I find that inspirational stories stick in the memory long after they are told. In fact, the inspirational stories I tell even inspire me!

We live in a complex, fast moving world. We all need a bit of “inner” direction to guide us as we cruise down the highway of life. Inspirational stories can help us in our travels. Think of them as your own personal GPS! My recordings contain a wealth of inspirational stories. Listen for yourself!