Hawaiian hula dancers use their hands and bodies to tell a story. Bodies can sway with the wind or ocean waves, and fingers can show the pitter patter of raindrops. What story could this young Hawaiian hula dancer be telling you?
Native American stories
are much more complicated. There are many rules which permit
stories to be told only at a certain time of the year, and only
in a certain way.
Sometimes the story seems to be about one thing,
but the real story is hidden in the words; like a school test,
listeners must think about what the story really means - and
try to be first to discover the hidden meaning!
Hawaiian and Native American stories are usually enjoyed with the family gathered around the fire after a good meal, but Immigrant American stories use printed words and pictures so people can read them any time they are in the mood for a story.
Immigrant Americans like stories so much it is really difficult for them to talk about anything - even serious subjects - without including a little story to make the subject more interesting.
Which of these three story telling techniques is the best?
Hawaiian hula dances are beautiful and exciting to see; hula dancers always leave people wanting more.
Native American stories are like some TV shows; it can take years to tell a complete story, so you need a good memory!
There are Immigrant American stories for every occasion - including many fantastic stories about other worlds and strange creatures you may never have imagined were possible!
You can judge the difference for yourself by clicking on the Hawaiian Story, "Immigrant" Squirrel Story, and then the "Mask Story" but when you read the Native American mask story, remember this:
Native Americans believe the number 4 (four) has special significance ( the 4 winds: north, east, south, west; the 4 elements: earth, air, fire, water, the 4 seasons: winter, spring, summer, fall, winter, etc.). Whilst reading the Native American mask story, keep count of how many times the number 4 becomes significant in the story, then divide that total by four to discover the art of Native American story telling!
* * * * * * * * SQUIRREL STORY * * * * MASK STORY * * * *
© 1999 Rico Leffanta
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