I was just thinking. There've been discussions near ad-nauseum on here about what is or isn't a traditional song on here. It's hard to find a balance between preserving traditional song and maintaining respect for the tradition without becoming ossified in the process. I don't remember a similar discussion about story telling, It seems like in the folk tradition there is the same conflict. Actually, I don't see as much of a conflict because when someone identifies themselves as a story teller, I figure they're primarily going to tell folk tales with a tradition as long as your arm. That's great, and I applaud it! Keep the old stories alive, just as I love to see people keep the old songs alive. What I've been wondering is, when were stories relegeated to the past? A good story is a good story, whether it's about something that took place in a Walmart Parking lot or the back forty. Admittedly, I'm on the ignorant side, because wrongfully, story telling seems too heavily slanted toward stories for kids. I'm posting this, not with an agenda or in criticism of anything. I'd like to hear other opinions about the validity of contemporary stores. We are surrounded by great stories that are not traditional. are they of any less value, or interest?

Just asking.

Jerry