A marathon runner and a storyteller walk into a bar

A marathon runner and a storyteller walk into a bar. The bartender says, What do you guys want? The marathoner says, I have a story to tell and he has a story to tell, pointing to the storyteller. Which do you want to hear? The bartender says, I'll listen to the marathoner's story. The storyteller pouts and asks the bartender why he chose the marathoner. The bartender says, Because I know in about 2 hours and roughly 10 minutes, HE'S going to get tired of talking.

Reprinted by permission of the author, storyteller Gregory Leifel of Illinois.

Noted Recently (February 24, 2011)

Recently noted in the storytelling blogosphere:

Priscilla Howe is blogging from her biannual storytelling tour of Belgium.

Nominated for Best Spoken Word Recording for Children, Bill Harley drops by the Grammy Awards.

Jay O'Callahan writes about a "challenging performance space." Worth a read, although don't miss the buried gem: Buzz Aldrin was in the audience. (Wondering why that matters? Ah, you haven't heard "Forged in the Stars" yet. Do it here.)

The Art of Oral Storytelling, Mapped

In case you're a visual thinker, or use mind maps, check out Pearltrees. It's a visual way to organize your Web surfing. I've started a pearltree on storytelling (wait for it to load, and then mouseover and/or click around):



If you like what you see, especially if you're a visual thinker, sign up, and join in. I'd love other minds curating this collection.