STORIES MATTER: THEY ARE UBIQUITOUS AND VERSATILE
By Rabeya Akter.
Whether one is looking to find themselves or to get away, stories can help do both. Stories are like window panes that give us a peek into both the real and imaginary world. And, if the light hits the perfect spot, the window pane becomes a mirror letting us see a reflection of ourselves.
Stories are ubiquitous. No matter which way you turn your head, you are bound to see a story. Whether it be about the casual daily life activities to significant highlights of your life, there’s always a story to share. From those we know from cultural storytelling traditions to those that author’s pen down, there’s always a story to hear. It’s just a matter of seconds before you realize that choosing to be reading this essay is a story itself.
The fictional world of Harry Potter or the real one of Anne Frank, stories are expert in stirring up a whirlpool of emotions. While a story like A Thousand Splendid Suns makes me angry, stories like those of Geronimo Stilton’s always bring a smile to my face. All We Have Left was saddening while The Mother Daughter Book Club was heartwarming. Sometimes stories make me squeal with excitement, and at other times, they make me sigh with disappointment. That’s the beauty of stories– they let you immerse yourself into them.
It’s not all the time that stories will let you delve into them. Sometimes, they want to find a home for themselves. When I resonate with a character, they find a home in my heart. When I draw inspiration from a character’s strength, it makes them even stronger. More often, stories voice my thoughts and feelings and lends me a shoulder to lean on.
Ultimately, what I’m trying to convey is that stories matter. Stories matter because they add color to our lives through their ubiquity and versatility. Stories matter because they perpetuate culture and pass along learning. Stories matter because they provide inspiration and motivation. They matter because they honor the past, present, and future. Stories matter because they teach us empathy; they teach us to walk in another person’s shoes. Stories matter because they entertain us, inform us, and persuade us. Stories matter because they add meaning to our lives.