Tell a story today; it's fun

By Katie Nichols (Contact) | Selma Times-Journal

Published Sunday, October 11, 2009

I walked away Friday night from Pickard Auditorium feeling mighty envious of the storytellers who just left the stage.

Each one crafted their stories with such care it was staggering. Telling a story orally versus writing a story is so completely different for me. I feel I can convey a story through the written word, but when I began to relay a story to friends, well, it just gets lost.

I started thinking about other people I know who are good storytellers. You know, the people who make going to the grocery store sound absolutely glamorous.

Some friends and family members came to mind, but I also noticed that law enforcement officers tend to be able to hold their audience.

Sitting in various supervisor’s offices I have laughed to the point of tears at the true, but insane stories I’ve heard.

The same officer can turn around and tell you heartbreaking tales.

I don’t know if the law enforcement crew tends to be good at telling incidents because they have to in reports and in court or if it is because they see so much in their years of service.

They’ve all happened upon a situation that isn’t necessarily hilarious at the time, but as with all good stories, it just gets funnier with time. Sometimes just listening to the police scanner provides these pearls.

For every funny moment in the officer’s day there is also a tragic one waiting. Officers see more than anyone else could probably handle.

It certainly takes a special person to cope with the unexplained hand of fate.

Not everything has to be at the hands of a monster sometimes it is as accidental as a fire destroying a home or as mysterious as a case of sudden infant death syndrome.

How officers get to be great storytellers may not be cut and dry, but one thing is — they love telling their best ones.

We’ve all got good stories in our arsenals, even journalists who forget to tell the most important parts.

So take a page out of Kathryn Tucker Windham’s book and tell it too a few people. Then, listen to their good tales.

Remind each other the sound of your voices as they cadence over the climactic parts. Work on listening to a good story, which usually isn’t so hard when you’ve got the right storyteller.

Katie Nichols is public safety reporter for The Selma Times-Journal. Call her at 410-1716 or e-mail her at katie.nichols@selmatimesjournal.com.

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