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January 7, 2009As a kid, I overheard my older brothers using the word “nifty” when referring to a cool car or a great suit. It was a word that meant a variety of things, all of them good and attractive. As time passed, I heard the word used in a wider range of conversations, including nifty evenings out, nifty concerts, and nifty songs. Even later, the word took on a more cultured definition in reference to poems, books, and, of course, nifty stories. Stories
The word seemed allusively defined, yet attractively so. However, it was only when I found myself using the word in my own description of my stories that I needed to define it. Actually, it was a listener who called my material “nifty stories,” and that comment sent me to the books. The current Wiktionary defines the word as “good; a general term for anything that is good, useful or beneficial.” A thesaurus gives synonyms such as “peachy, smashing, dandy, great, keen, and groovy,” all of which strike me as exchanging one jargon term for another!” Research here.
What’s so nifty about my stories? The stories I tell always have a message, a lesson, a bit of perspective, and they are, indeed, particularly good and rather effective at making their point. You could say that my idea of stories that are nifty are ones that entertain as well as enlighten. I look for stories with certain underlying values that help the listener to set their internal compass when sailing through life. Storyteller
Nifty stories are stories that teach. Nifty stories are memorable. Nifty stories carry a message that applies to all people. Nifty stories are always “stylish,” regardless of the era that spawned them. These stories are naturally very attractive. Any stories of worth are nifty stories. You can find great nifty stories on www.Jaystetzer.com Stories
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And I am constantly seeking a unique gift children would treasure. Something that will last far beyond the moment of giving. One great gift I have found is a memorable story. And it is suitable for children of all ages. Think of all the pleasurable hours an entire CD of stories can provide.
Something that the listener can relate to. Maybe there is a message. It might give the listener a suggestion of a new direction. It might even state a moral. The name one might give to this ephemeral quality is not as important as the fact that the stories I tell actually possess it.
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The current Wiktionary defines the word as “good; a general term for anything that is good, useful or beneficial. ” The standard reference Compact Oxford Dictionary states: “particularly good, effective, or stylish. ”
What makes nifty stories nifty? The stories I choose to tell are, indeed, particularly good and rather effective at making a point, a lesson, a message, a bit of perspective. To me, nifty stories are a blend of entertainment and education, or what some call “edutainment. ” There needs to be a message beyond a witty punch line.
My firsthand experience of a given culture heightens my appreciation of their stories. My travels have taken me to Southeast Asia, Central and South America, around the United States, Canada, and Europe. I find myself amazed at both the differences and similarities of the various countries.
You can find in every culture notions which they hold as sacred. You can also find things demonic.
Think of all the pleasurable hours an entire CD of stories can provide. Imagine the trip around the world your progeny can take on the wings of a story!
You can find three CDs listed on the “Recordings” page of my website. Fables in Four Minutes contains ten wonderful stories from ten different storytelling genres. For listeners who want to take a virtual trip around the world, World Full of Stories makes a unique present. My latest project is Parking in Manhattan, and it contains a compendium of urban folktales that will tickle the funny bone.
Priceless humor arises out of priceless situations.
You can also find many examples of priceless humor in world stories. The retelling of such stories never ceases to bring gales of laughter to listeners. 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.
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It is up to the listener to decipher the message. And different listeners will carry away different messages. Stories such as these are inclined to be more widely popular. The subtler lessons tend to come from longer tales. One can learn many lessons from epic stories.
And without time to reflect, how can we develop insight into the affairs of the day? This is where inspirational stories serve us well. Inspirational stories give listeners something to chew on. They offer something to think about. Something that helps us to find our personal “true north. Something that offers a little perspective to life.
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It teaches by example. However, the lessons in many other stories may not be as obvious. The meaning is hidden in the actions of the characters. Listeners are left to figure out the message for themselves. And there may be a different message for each listener.
Those occasional gifts rewarding good behavior. I spent some serious hours searching for something unique, something meaningful. It was tough going most of the time. It did not take very long to realize that a good gift is rare gift. A meaningful gift is even rarer.
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Gifts for birthdays. Gifts rewarding good behavior. I would search high and low for something meaningful, something unique. It was tough going most of the time. It did not take very long to realize that a good gift is rare gift.
A meaningful gift is even harder to find. And whenever I succeeded in finding a gift that I regarded as special, I treasured it. And I anticipated that my children would do the same.
I am now a grandparent. And I am constantly seeking a unique gift children would treasure.
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This was a great post. I will be reading more soon.
Modern society is a far cry from rural villages, yet the stories ring true regardless.
Some world stories are downright funny. Other world stories are filled with mystery. Many world stories are insightful. Often world stories are inscrutable.
what makes it priceless? There is a simple answer to this question. Priceless humor involves situations which most of us have experienced. The missed appointment. The misunderstood comment. The consequences that follow are generally laughable.
And I am constantly seeking a unique gift children would treasure. Something that will last far beyond the moment of giving. A memorable story is that kind of gift. And it is appropriate for all ages, children included. Think of all the pleasurable hours an entire CD of stories can provide.
Good and evil are eternal foes. One can discover the Golden Rule in most plots. Regardless of genre, any worthy world story can be applied to contemporary life. And that brings us to storytelling today. Modern society is a far cry from rural villages, yet the stories ring true regardless.
However, it was only when I found myself using the word in my description of my own stories that I needed to define it. Actually, I hit the books when a listener said my stories were nifty. The Merriam/Webster Dictionary definition states: “very good, very attractive,” etymology unknown, originally used in 1865. The standard reference Compact Oxford Dictionary states: “particularly good, effective, or stylish. ”
What’s so nifty about nifty stories? The stories I tell always have a message, a lesson, a bit of perspective, and they are, indeed, particularly good and rather effective at making their point.
And it is suitable for children of all ages. Think of all the pleasurable hours an entire CD of stories can provide. Think of the glimpse it can give into cultures and customs from countries around the world.
My “Recordings” page on this website lists three story CDs. Fables in Four Minutes contains ten wonderful stories from ten different storytelling genres.
Needless to say, no one cares to listen to preaching. We prefer to take our medicine with a bit of sweetener. That is where laughter comes in. It is the honey in the brew. Priceless humor is filled with wit and wisdom.
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No matter what the genre, a good world story brings meaning to the contemporary world as well. And that’s where modern day storytelling has a place. Modern society is a far cry from rural villages, yet the stories ring true regardless.
Some world stories are downright funny. Other world stories are mysterious.
Mark Russell. Russell Baker. Look at history and the humorists that litter the pages. Mark Twain Henry Fielding All of them were storytellers. Painting scenes with priceless humor.
A meaningful gift is even harder to find. And whenever I succeeded in finding a gift that I regarded as special, I treasured it. And I anticipated that my children would do the same.
I am now a grandparent. And I am always on the lookout for a unique gift children would enjoy.
Actually, I hit the books when a listener said my stories were nifty. The Merriam/Webster Dictionary definition states: “very good, very attractive,” etymology unknown, originally used in 1865. A thesaurus gives synonyms such as “peachy, smashing, dandy, great, keen, and groovy,” all of which strike me as exchanging one jargon term for another!”
What’s so nifty about nifty stories? The stories I choose to tell are, indeed, particularly good and rather effective at making a point, a lesson, a message, a bit of perspective. To me, nifty stories are a blend of entertainment and education, or what some call “edutainment. ” I look for stories with certain underlying values that help the listener to set their internal compass when sailing through life.
World stories spread as the culture grows.
I have been blessed by the number of world stories I have found from my travels around the world. I have also had the opportunity to learn a bit about each country. Rituals and customs. Geography and daily habits.
A listener can mull over inspirational stories. They give us something to consider. Something that helps us to find our personal “true north. Something that gives us perspective.
Care for some inspiration? You can find inspirational stories and more at http://www.
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