Priceless Humor is Priceless!

03/29/09

For centuries stories have been told and retold throughout the world. How come? For one thing, they are entertaining. Another reason is that they deal with the human condition, one way or another. Even stories using animals as characters reflect the situations and actions of our species.

For centuries as well, life has been a struggle. Wars. Famine. Thorny relationships. All of which beg for some direction, some assistance. A resolution of some sort.

At the same time, nobody likes to be preached to. We desire to sweeten our bitter medicines. Enter laughter. It is the honey in the brew. Priceless humor is filled with wit and wisdom. A unique combination.

As you know, laughter lightens the heart. Laughter enlivens the spirit. And as long as we are laughing at the foibles of others (and not ourselves) we find those situations funny. Call it priceless humor.

Look at the great humorists around us. Art Buchwald. George Carlin. Russell Baker. Check out the humorists of history. Mark Twain Ogden Nash. All of them were storytellers. Painting scenes with priceless humor.

What makes priceless humor? There is a simple answer to this question. Priceless humor revolves about common everyday experiences. The lost keys. The misunderstood comment. The consequences that follow are generally laughable.

The world of urban folktales is a rich source of priceless humor. My CD Parking in Manhattan illustrates many humorous circumstances. These hilarious comedies involve characters everybody can relate to and empathasize with. Priceless humor arises out of priceless situations.

World stories also capitalize on priceless humor. These stories always bring gales of laughter when they are told. Check out "Rock Soup" or "Herschel in the Woods" from my CD Fables in Four Minutes. Listen to "The Egg Seller" or "Hickory Dock" from World Full of Stories. There are many similar examples of priceless humor from virtually every country on the planet. These stories will stick with you long after you heard them. You can find priceless humor and more at www.jaystetzer.com.

When I am out and about, I tune into conversations around me. They are laden with disasters and catastrophes. The conversants generally cannot see the life lesson they offer. As a storyteller, my job is to sift through the data and sort out the meaning. To make the tale palatable, I inject a bit of humor. Making the story priceless with priceless humor!

Virtually every storytelling genre contains examples of priceless humor. What is the reason for it? Another simple answer. Laughter makes learning easier. A story with priceless humor often comes with a lesson attached. It just goes to show what a treasure priceless humor can be.