Story Telling

The telling of stories is probably as ancient as humankind. It could be that the early cave dwellers told stories about hunting grounds and the animals they had hunted. Before the invention of the written word it was the only way to pass on tales and tradition. Indeed it has not been lost - this ancient art is still practiced by many a talented teller of tales.

The Aborigines, the tribes people of Africa, the Celts and all the other indigenous peoples throughout the world used storytelling as an important way to pass on the history and culture of their peoples throughout the generations. Indeed some people are still able to verbally trace their ancestors back over more than a thousand years and speak of them as though they knew them personally.

Stories have been how our spiritual practices have been imparted and it is often the way in which a message, through being told as a story, is really understood. Stories teach us values and shape our expectations.

The Druids of the Isles were famous for their ability to recite long stories which held the teachings of their religion. The Druid initiate known as a Bard is recognised outside of Druidry as one who tells tales.

David Percy uses storytelling during the meditation, relaxation and storytelling meetings to provoke thought and to inspire. Details of these regular meetings can be found elsewhere in this booklet.

Chris Park, a Druid, is a traditional storyteller who is both informative and entertaining. He will be with us at Imbolc for our Emerging evening when he will entice us out of the dark months and gather as we emerge into the light of the new year. This will be an evening of fun as Chris entertains us with his informative stories, interspersed with music on a wide range of unusual instruments.