Stories That Shape Us: Opening Conversation

Stories that Shape Us: Opening ConversationThough most of our relationships with stories are based on entertainment (movies, novels, video games), stories can be--and are--much more powerful and meaningful than simple entertainment. Stories can do more than simply distract us from day-to-day stresses: they can shape the way we think and alter the way see the world. Stories come from myriad places and fulfill diverse purposes.

• Sometimes stories arise from a personal experience; the author shares a episode in his or her life that illustrates personal growth or the realization of a personal or universal truth. Sometimes the author shares this because she or he thinks it may help others. Sometimes an author simply can't help but share his or her powerful story. 
• Religions and cultures throughout history have used stories to alter people's behaviors and attitudes: to demonstrate what is good and bad, effective and ineffective, praise- and shame-worthy. 
• Stories help family members focus on a particular value or characteristic of  a loved one; they may inform or inspire future generations about what meaningful about a particular person or experience. 

Sometimes stories are true (non-fiction), and sometimes they're totally made-up (fiction), but most often, they're a bit of a mix. Authors oftentimes will use something real that happened to them or another real situation and then change the names, setting, or make up some of the story's details to make it more understandable or enjoyable to the reader--while preserving the most important truths or elements of the real-life scenario. There are also stories (even whole novels) that begin not with a real-word situation, but rather just an idea that the author wants to get across to readers. In those cases, the events and the characters of the stories aren't necessarily based on real people and events; they're just tools that the author uses to help readers understand the idea.  So, over the next couple of weeks, we will read a number of stories that help us understand how stories are told and why people tell them. Then, we will move into writing our own stories: stories based on actual people and events or stories that help us communicate an important idea or value.
To begin our journey, reply to this post by responding to the following question. There is a sample comment below; once you have read the sample comment, leave your own.

(IMPORTANT NOTE: Make sure to carefully proofread your comment and make sure it is as you want it before hitting "submit.")

1. What is a story (book, film, video game, short story, etc.) that has changed the way you saw the world or that made you reconsider something you thought or believed? Briefly summarize that story and explain how that story changed you or shaped the way you saw or experienced something.