Story Tellers

There are people in the world who tell stories for a living.

Within seconds, you can be gripped with interest and curiosity as their voices unravel a tale, which you'll remember for years to come.

I've been reading stories to children since I was fourteen years old and having trained as a Nursery Nurse, I'd like to think I'm fairly good at keeping their attention.

However, I've been shown up a couple of times by Librarians who have been fantastic Story Tellers, leaving my book as a lost memory to the children I'd just read too.

Some Story Tellers take matters extremely seriously, dressing up as characters, using props such as hats, swords, puppets etc. I usually love watching these performances, unless it's straight after my story session!

I remember a particularly frustrating morning in a library, where a regular Story Teller had a set time to read to children every week. I was given this slot to do a Shape Land workshop and this obviously upset the Story Teller.

Firstly, when I arrived he offered to read my book for me, which I politely declined causing him to actually huff and puff!
"Well, good luck with this bunch of kids," he stuttered at me and walked off. Completely shocked, I wondered if perhapes he had spent a little too much time with children already...

As it happened, I had a lovely group of children to read to. They listened to the story, joined in the Samuel Square tongue rolls ("Phtttttth!") and tried shouting out the shape's names.

I was chuffed at how well it was going and was about to burst into song, when I had a tap on my shoulder.
"Do you mind if I read the children a story now Helen?" It was the annoying Story Teller!
"Erm...yeah sure," I said, putting my colouring activity away. Librarians often read a short story after mine to fill a bit of time, what harm could it do?

Three stories, a few puppets, one hat and a lot of tired children later...the Story Teller finally decided to finish.

He turned and looked at me with a glance that said, 'That's the way to do it'.

Whilst attempting to give him a death stare, I noticed that all the mothers were leaving!

No colouring activity? No bookmarks? Not even a chance to sing 'Twinkle twinkle little star?' My workshop was over and I hadn't had the chance to do half of it. The mothers were leaving with their tired little ones, saying how wonderful the Story Teller had been.

Pants! Sulkily I began to tidy away my books and equipment, whilst listening to the Story Teller take praise and give 'Goodbyes.'

"Helen...That went well didn't it?" He beamed at me. He then explained that although I was above average at telling stories, I would get better with time.
I considered telling him where he could stick his stories, but all I managed was an intellengent grunt. (Pigs grunt and their mean't to be intellegent, right?)

Luckily this experience hadn't put me off doing workshops and I still have the greatest respect for Story Tellers. Libraries will always be one of my favorite venues for Shape Land!