Around twenty stalwart folks of all ages braved the very timely snow storm last night. They turned out to the North Park Village Nature Center last to listen to a variety of stories. I told a couple of new stories. I like to tell stories that revolve around trees. There are many from all over the world from which to choose. The Nature Center is home to one of the last oak savanna’s to be found in Illinois and the midwest. “A Tree to Sing to” originated in Zimbabwe, Africa. A wonderful story about a tree, that when sung to, gives food to a hungry man. The man, however, fails to tell his starving family. Eventually he is found out and the tree feeds his family, but becomes terrible tasting to the man. Other stores included two from the Arabian Nights - “The Enchanted Horse” and “Abou Hassan or the Sleeper Awakened”, a jewish story entitled “Elisha and the Blind Man” and another african story “The Children of Wax”.

 

It is always a joy for me to discover another story that jumps off the pages at me. I enjoy putting the tales into my own voice and discovering their deeper meanings.