What in the World Makes Priceless Humor Priceless?

12/24/08

Stories have been told and retold for centuries throughout the world. Why? 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. Conflict. Pestilence. Relationship scuffles. Struggles that implore some understanding, some support. A resolution of some sort.

Needless to say, no one cares to listen to preaching. We prefer to take our medicine with a bit of sweetener. Enter laughter. Humor makes a hard message a bit easier to swallow. Priceless humor is filled with wit and wisdom. A unique combination.

As you know, everyone loves to laugh. 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 around you at the great humorists. Dave Barry. Mark Russell. Garrison Kiellor. Check out the humorists of history. Moliere. Henry Fielding Storytellers all. 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 comic situation. The laughable consequences generally follow in quick succession.

The world of urban folktales is a rich source of priceless humor. My CD Parking in Manhattan illustrates many humorous circumstances. Folks can relate to and empathize with the characters involved in these hilarious comedies. Priceless humor arises out of priceless situations.

You can also find many examples of priceless humor in world stories. 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. These are just a few examples of priceless humor. You will find yourself remembering these stories for a very long time. 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. And the life lessons are generally hidden from view. It is my job as a storyteller to sort out the meaning from all the information I hear. 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? Simple answer number two. Laughter makes learning easier. A story with priceless humor often comes with a lesson attached. Priceless humor is... priceless!