On Stories
Telling Stories is as basic to human beings as eating. More so, in fact, for while food makes us live, stories are what makes our lives worth living. They are what make our condition human. From the word go, stories were invented to fill the gaping hole within us, assuage our fear and dread, to try to give answers to the great unanswerable questions of existence: Who are we? Where do we come from? Are we animal, human or divine? Strangers, gods or monsters? Are we born of one (mother earth) or two (human parents?) Are we creatures of nature or culture? In seeking to provide answers to such unfathomable conundrums – both physical and metaphysical – the great tales and legends give not only relief from everyday darkness, but also pleasure and enchantment: the power to bring a hush to a room, a catch to the breath, a leap to the curious heart, with the simple words “Once upon a time”.
From On Stories, by Richard Kearney, Professor of Philosophy, Boston College and U.C.D.
Telling Stories is as basic to human beings as eating. More so, in fact, for while food makes us live, stories are what makes our lives worth living. They are what make our condition human. From the word go, stories were invented to fill the gaping hole within us, assuage our fear and dread, to try to give answers to the great unanswerable questions of existence: Who are we? Where do we come from? Are we animal, human or divine? Strangers, gods or monsters? Are we born of one (mother earth) or two (human parents?) Are we creatures of nature or culture? In seeking to provide answers to such unfathomable conundrums – both physical and metaphysical – the great tales and legends give not only relief from everyday darkness, but also pleasure and enchantment: the power to bring a hush to a room, a catch to the breath, a leap to the curious heart, with the simple words “Once upon a time”.
From On Stories, by Richard Kearney, Professor of Philosophy, Boston College and U.C.D.
