Trust Your Dog to Bark

Let Your Stories Speak for Themselves

I usually meet two kinds of storytellers who will explain the meaning of their story: beginners and preachers.

For both of them, their story has a clear meaning, and they want all of their audience to get it.

There is nothing wrong with beginners and preachers.

We all were beginners, and, once in a while, we all preach about something we believe in.

However, most of the time, there is a better way.

It involves trusting the story, trusting your listeners, and trusting yourself.

Trust the story

The story matters to you.

It spoke to you.

You loved it.

You worked with it.

Let’s assume it is still strong enough to speak to others.

Either the story can stand on its own or not. In both cases, it won’t get any stronger if you explain its meaning.

So long as I think my dog can bark, I will not sit up to bark for him.
George MacDonald, fantasy godfather, The Fantastic Imagination

Trust the listeners

Let’s assume your listeners are capable human beings.

You can't control their thinking.

Most of them don’t like to be told what to think.

You are giving them a gift, a story that is meaningful to you.

Let’s also give them the freedom to simply enjoy the story

They might find their meaning if they want to.

Trust yourself

You have done the work.

You love the story.

Let it be.

That’s enough.

Trust your dog to bark.

I would love to read your thoughts on this in the comments.

P. S.: I published the first video on my YouTube channel. It’s called ‘Storyteller Starts His Search for Local Stories,’ and it’s about…