This activity helps everyone get into the story. It creates energy in the space, dispels nervous energy, and builds group identity.

As you line out the story with gestures, be dynamic and enjoy the story yourself. Exaggerate voice tone and volume. Don’t worry about having the words exact or making mistakes. If you forget something, make adding it back in part of the telling.

Don’t be afraid of looking silly. This isn’t about you, it’s about connecting the participants with the story. If smiles or laughter should come, that is a sign of engagement and delight. Consider it a gift of the Spirit.

Say:

In ancient times before writing, sacred stories were learned by heart and told from memory.

People used their hands and sometimes their whole bodies to tell stories, not just their mouths.

Let’s stand up and stretch a bit to get the blood flowing so we are ready for telling the story… Have everyone stand in the circle and do some simple stretches together.

The most ancient form of education was to repeat the words of whatever was being learned.

So, repeat after me…

Tell the story in breath units (generally one line of the sound map) using gestures that connect with the action of the story. Exaggerate words and gestures.