Stories around the World
Do you have a favorite story? Do you like fairy tales? You're not alone! Storytelling is a favorite tradition around the world. Some stories are passed down in written form, and some "folk tales" are told aloud. Many stories have a moral, such as how people should treat each other, or explain a natural occurence or historical event.
Storytelling traditions vary around the world. Jennifer Ruskin, a Peace Corps
Volunteer in Haiti, says that many schoolbooks for elementary students include
folk tales in the Creole language. To explain how the narrator came to know a
story, Jennifer says, "the storyteller always receives a little kick and falls
down here to tell you the story." Adam Price, another Haiti Volunteer, says
that stories always begin with the teller asking "Krik?", which is a way of
asking if the audience wants to hear the story. If the audience wants to hear
a story, they respond, "Krak!"
Volunteer Peggy Seville says each of Vanuatu's 82 small islands has distinct language and customs because long ago travel among islands was so difficult. Peggy learned the local language of her island from an old man named Elder Willie. He also told her how birds get their colors in the story "Vasil and Vatiman." Elder Willie says it's a true story!
Be sure to visit Kids World again for more folk tales!