What in the World Makes Priceless Humor Priceless?
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 animal characters in stories act out the situations of our own humanity.
The struggles of life have been with us for centuries as well. Wars. Pestilence. Thorny relationships. All of which beg for some direction, some assistance. Some kind of resolution.
At the same time, nobody likes to be preached to. 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. A unique combination.
As you know, everyone loves to laugh. Laughter enlivens the spirit. And everyone loves to laugh at the foibles of our own species (as long as it happens at the expense of another). Call it priceless humor.
Look at the great humorists around us. Dave Barry. Mark Russell. Garrison Kiellor. Check out the humorists of history. Moliere. Henry Fielding All of them were storytellers. Priceless humor their brush.
What makes priceless humor? The answer is simple. Priceless humor involves situations which most of us have experienced. The missed appointment. The comic situation. The laughable consequences generally follow in quick succession.
The world of urban folktales is a rich source of priceless humor. Listeners can readily find many humorous circumstances in my CD Parking in Manhattan. 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. 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.
I listen to lots of conversations. They are filled with catastrophes and disasters. The conversants generally cannot see the life lesson they offer. It is my job as a storyteller to sort out the meaning from all the information I hear. Also, I need to inject a bit of humor to make the tale palatable. Making the story priceless with priceless humor!
There is priceless humor in virtually every genre. Why? Simple answer number two. 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.