This post is one of a series on oral storytelling.
I did say I’d come back to this story as an example of oral storytelling. So here we go, this is what I do.
Wait a minute, let’s go back to that phrase – “What I do”. This is one way I tell this story, each oral storyteller has to have their own process, invest themselves into the telling. Watch others, learn and so on, but tell the story your way.
I like this story because I’ve told it a couple of hundred (thousand) times and I know it works. Knowing a story works is a great thrill, very satisfying. And this sense of confidence comes across in the telling. Everyone wins.
Okay, just a few basics in the technique. I generally TELL the audience my beginning and ending clues if they are new to me. Regular listeners give sighs of satisfaction (yes, six year olds can sigh in satisfaction).
These clues are:
“Once upon a time in a land far, far away….” Whoops! I forgot to tell you about the second part of that phrase “…in a land far, far away.” I believe that certain stories, especially fantasy for children, should happen in a wonderful, magical other place. Might be just me, what do you think?
And the ending is, of course, “…and they all lived happily ever after.”
Right, into it. I’m not going to tell the story again, just give a few techniques. Try using fingers to demonstrate the goats as they walk, invest each goat with its own “weight’ and voice.
One more – the troll. Oh, man, this bit’s a hoot. As the first billy goat gruff walks across the bridge (more clues here – empahises the ‘trip-trapping’) lean forward and pause for a moment and then use the other hand to be the troll, leaping up from below the bridge. I just use my hand as the troll’s mouth (like a hand puppet) but I give a BIG “ROAOR!!!!!” The misspelling is intentional.
The first time the troll appears the kids leap, eyes widen, then the grins come out as they compare notes about who got the biggest fright.
Give this time to happen then finish the story. Each time the troll appears repeat the sequence, the repitition gives the kids back their peace of mind, allows them to process their fright and see it what it really is – just your hand. On a good day a lot will join in and help out the troll with a few roars of their own.
This story can get a bit out of hand but who cares, we’re all having fun here!
And now for my kick. When’s the last time you told your kids a bedtime story? Or in the bath? Or on a car journey? Do it – read to them, of course, but try TELLING stories. Yes, dads, I’m looking at you here! Step up, fellas.
My mother used to tell me bedtime stories – not read them. My favourites were a series of pirate tales. The good pirates (yes, of course there are good pirates!) sailed in The Bouncy Boat and my mum would make the bed bounce whenever they sailed into the story. It was a very effective leitmotiv – I remember it 50 years later!
Your mum was one of the good ones.
Being able to tell my boys stories as they grew up allowed us to avoid many tricky moments – out shopping, visiting boring relatives (boring to an eight year old) , or just being sick and miserable.
I have to admit, though, I am intrigued by the “Bouncy Boat” series of stories – I think I need to go and sharpen my pencil.
terry