The Storyteller: Understanding the Power of Stories

1. The Storyteller by Saki Feature Menu Introducing the Story Literary Skills Focus: Omniscient Narrator Reading Skills Focus: Analyzing a Writer’s Purpose Writing Skills Focus: Think as a Reader/Writer TechFocus

2. The Storyteller by Saki How can stories influence people’s behavior?

3. The Storyteller Introducing the Story Click on the title to start the video.

4. The Storyteller Introducing the Story Here’s a recipe for boredom and bad behavior: Start with three children. Add one grouchy old aunt. Put them all together in a hot, stuffy train compartment. . . .

5. The Storyteller Introducing the Story It’s going to be a long, hard trip, isn’t it? Anyway, that’s what the other passenger in the compartment is starting to think. [End of Section]

6. The Storyteller Literary Skills Focus: Omniscient Narrator The word omniscient means “all-knowing.” An omniscient narrator is an all-knowing observer who can reveal the thoughts, feelings, and motives of every character in a story.

7. The Storyteller Literary Skills Focus: Omniscient Narrator What does the omniscient narrator know that the character Rick does not know? Rick could feel the wind rising, and he knew the storm was coming, but still he struggled up the mountain. He reached the summit just as the first big drops fell, raised his fists in triumph, and headed down again. Far below, at the edge of the park, Eli and James watched the trail and worried, wondering where Rick was. Rick could feel the wind rising, and he knew the storm was coming, but still he struggled up the mountain. He reached the summit just as the first big drops fell, raised his fists in triumph, and headed down again. Far below, at the edge of the park, Eli and James watched the trail and worried, wondering where Rick was.

8. The Storyteller Literary Skills Focus: Omniscient Narrator What does the omniscient narrator tell us that the characters Eli and James don’t know? Rick could feel the wind rising, and he knew the storm was coming, but still he struggled up the mountain. He reached the summit just as the first big drops fell, raised his fists in triumph, and headed down again. Far below, at the edge of the park, Eli and James watched the trail and worried, wondering where Rick was. Rick knows the storm is coming. Rick has made it to the top. Rick is already headed down.

9. The Storyteller Literary Skills Focus: Omniscient Narrator Stories with an omniscient point of view generally give us a more reliable perspective—unlike stories with a first-person narrator. You can usually trust an omniscient narrator. As you read this story, think about how the narrator’s comments might help you perceive the writer’s purpose.

10. The Storyteller Literary Skills Focus: Omniscient Narrator Here is how the omniscient narrator in “The Storyteller” describes one of the children’s actions: She only knew the first line, but she put her limited knowledge to the fullest possible use. She repeated the line over and over again in a dreamy but resolute and very audible voice; it seemed to the bachelor as though someone had had a bet with her that she could not repeat the line aloud two thousand times without stopping. Whoever it was who had made the wager was likely to lose his bet. What clues do the narrator’s comments give you about the writer’s purpose? [End of Section]

11. The Storyteller Reading Skills Focus: Analyzing a Writer’s Purpose “The Storyteller” is a humorous story. One purpose of a humorous story is to entertain the reader. But the author of a humorous story often has a more serious and complex purpose. Look for . . . she began an unenterprising and deplorably uninteresting story about a little girl who was good, and made friends with everyone on account of her goodness. . . . key passages and loaded words that help reveal the narrator’s tone, or attitude, toward the characters.

12. The Storyteller Reading Skills Focus: Analyzing a Writer’s Purpose Into Action: Use a chart to help you find clues that reveal the narrator’s tone. Key Passage or Loaded Word Narrator’s Tone The aunt’s remarks begin with “don’t.” The aunt is not effective with children. The aunt doesn’t have a good answer for the child’s question. The aunt responds ”weakly.” [End of Section]

13. The Storyteller Writing Skills Focus: Think as a Reader/Writer Find It in Your Reading “The Storyteller” is satire—writing that ridicules the shortcomings of people or institutions in an attempt to bring about change. Targets of a satirist might include: Stupidity Injustice Greed Cruelty As you read, try to figure out whom or what the omniscient narrator is ridiculing.

14. The Storyteller Writing Skills Focus: Think as a Reader/Writer TechFocus As you read the story, notice how different characters have different ideas about raising children. Think about how you would use technology to distribute a survey about the best way to raise children in modern society. [End of Section]

15. Vocabulary

16. The Storyteller Vocabulary sultryadj.: hot and humid; sweltering. persistentadj.: continuing; stubborn. resoluteadj.: determined. petulantadj.: impatient; irritable; peevish. convictionn.: strong belief; certainty.

17. The StorytellerVocabulary The word sultry is often used to describe a place in which the air is not just hot, but also humid, still, and thick-feeling. Which place would probably be more sultry?

18. The StorytellerVocabulary As more and more people arrived, the waiting room became sultry. • The waiting room might not be • clean • air-conditioned • well furnished

19. The StorytellerVocabulary As more and more people arrived, the waiting room became sultry. • The waiting room might not be • clean • air-conditioned • well furnished Are the people in the waiting room comfortable, or are they uncomfortable?

20. The StorytellerVocabulary Persistent suggests a degree of effort—of continuing something even when there is difficulty, an obstacle, or an objection. Which picture shows a result of persistent practice and work?

21. The StorytellerVocabulary A persistent fever • lasts more than a few days and doesn’t respond to home treatment • has really high temperatures and makes you feel uncomfortable • means that you have a serious illness and should go to the emergency room

22. The StorytellerVocabulary A persistent fever • lasts more than a few days and doesn’t respond to home treatment • has really high temperatures and makes you feel uncomfortable • means that you have a serious illness and should go to the emergency room

23. The StorytellerVocabulary A resolute person is a really determined person—a person who has firmly made up his or her mind to do something. Think about New Year’s resolutions, the promises people make to themselves to do better.

24. The StorytellerVocabulary As she approached the net, I saw the resolute look in her eye and I knew • she was afraid that I was a better player. • that her pride would be hurt if she didn’t win. • she had decided she would win the match.

25. The StorytellerVocabulary As she approached the net, I saw the resolute look in her eye and I knew • she was afraid that I was a better player. • that her pride would behurt if she didn’t win. • she had decided she would win the match.

26. The StorytellerVocabulary Anyone can be petulant, but the word usually brings to mind a certain kind of child— whiny, impatient, and irritable. Do you know anybody like that?

27. The StorytellerVocabulary A petulant customer waiting in a long line at a store might say: • “The other cash register is closed, so everyone’s in this line.” • “It looks like they’re training a new employee, so it’s taking a little longer.” • “I can’t imagine what’s taking so long! Hurry up!”

28. The StorytellerVocabulary A petulant customer waiting in a long line at a store might say: • “The other cash register is closed, so everyone’s in this line.” • “It looks like they’re training a new employee, so it’s taking a little longer.” • “I can’t imagine what’s taking so long! Hurry up!”

29. The StorytellerVocabulary A conviction is a belief or idea we are convinced is true. It’s a strong, certain belief.

30. The StorytellerVocabulary When the candidate stated her position on that issue with conviction, the voters knew that she • strongly believed in what she was saying. • had thought about the issue a long time. • wasn’t sure which side of the issue she was really on.

31. The StorytellerVocabulary When the candidate stated her position on that issue with conviction,the voters knew that she • strongly believed in what she was saying. • had thought about the issue a long time. • wasn’t sure which side of the issue she was really on. [End of Section]

32. The End