I do, too, Amos. There's actually another, longer version with its own Mudcat thread, here: The Man Who Knew No Stories. And a little over a week ago, I stumbled onto a third version with a Christmas theme that was very funny (I'm pretty certain, based on the style, that's its a 20th century retelling). But even though I've Googled for it using specific details from that version, my searches have come up empty.

In that mysterious missing version, the author makes it clear that sharing a story was once part of the basic social contract of travelers (in the days before radio or television, and when many people couldn't read, travelers were a main source of information and entertainment), and that even small children knew some story or song to share. ... And even if you were penniless, you could give something of value in return for a filling meal and a warm bed.

One thing I love about that story is that it reminds us that our own experiences make wonderful stories...

I talked to my Dad on the phone recently, and he said he didn't think he had any stories to tell. I asked him: "What about your time in the Coast Guard, rescuing people in the artic?" And he answered with: "Well, there was that one time, when I was working at Eastern. Nearly crashed the plane. Scared my copilot to death. The next week, he asked for a transfer to Atlanta..."

(!!!) That's a story he hasn't told me yet... I will make him tell me, when he comes down for a visit...