“Knowing how to tell a clear and coherent story is an important skill for helping young children to develop strong reading skills, which, in turn, can help them to be successful across a number of different subjects in school,” said FPG advanced research scientist Nicole Gardner-Neblett. “Prior research suggests that historical and cultural factors foster strong storytelling skills among African American children, which has implications for their development as readers”.

Two years ago, Gardner-Neblett’s own research was the first to demonstrate the connection between African American preschoolers’ storytelling abilities and their early reading skills in kindergarten. That study found a link between storytelling and reading only for the African American children, from households across income levels, but not for any other demographic group. (1)

We have lost the art of storytelling.

Now we just believe the “Facts”.

It is the most “primitive” ones who will ultimately save our heritage as human beings. Soon enough, when the forest is empty, when the river stays silent, we will remember. That there is magic in the world. And that this magic only exists if you believe in it. The river does not make any sound. You are the one making the tree leaves thawing. By just sitting down and closing your eyes. Start analyzing them and you will see that the sound is gone. We are the vessel which receives the cosmos and gives it shapes and sounds.

Too much listening has made us deaf.

Too much seeing has made us blind.

We must into the forest again.

And find a clearing.

No, not in the forest.

In our heart.

Shhhh…