Short stories

I grew up with the word “nifty” as a standard descriptor in my vocabulary. It was a word that meant a variety of things, all of them good and attractive. As time passed, I heard the word used in a wider range of conversations, including nifty evenings out, nifty concerts, and nifty songs. Even later, the word took on a more cultured definition in reference to poems, books, and, of course, nifty stories.

The word seemed allusively defined, yet attractively so. Still, I did not really define the word until I found myself using it to refer to the stories I tell to audiences and on recordings. Actually, I hit the books when a listener said my stories were nifty. The Merriam/Webster Dictionary definition states: “very good, very attractive,” etymology unknown, originally used in 1865. A thesaurus gives synonyms such as “peachy, smashing, dandy, great, keen, and groovy,” all of which strike me as exchanging one jargon term for another!” Priceless humor.

What’s so nifty about my stories? The stories I tell always have a message, a lesson, a bit of perspective, and they are, indeed, particularly good and rather effective at making their point. They are a blend of entertainment and education, or what some call “edutainment.” There needs to be a message beyond a witty punch line.

Nifty stories are stories that teach. Nifty stories appeal to a broad audience. Nifty stories travel beyond the culture from which they originate. Nifty stories are always in vogue. These stories are naturally very attractive. Any stories of worth are nifty stories. You can find great nifty stories on www.Jaystetzer.com World stories.

I keep lots of memories from the days when I was a young parent. Some of them are downright exasperating! One of them involves purchasing gifts for my children. Gifts for the holidays. Gifts for birthdays. Those occasional gifts rewarding good behavior. I would search high and low for something meaningful, something unique. Most of the time it was rough going. It did not take very long to realize that a good gift is rare gift. A meaningful gift is even rarer. And whenever I succeeded in finding a gift that I regarded as special, I treasured it. And I anticipated that my children would do the same.

I am now a grandparent. And I am constantly seeking a unique gift children would treasure. Something that will last far beyond the moment of giving. One great gift I have found is a memorable story. And it is appropriate for all ages, children included. Think of all the pleasurable hours an entire CD of stories can provide. Think of the glimpse it can give into cultures and customs from countries around the world.

My “Recordings” page on this website lists three story CDs. Fables in Four Minutes is a collection of ten stories, each one representing a different storytelling genre. World Full of Stories has a dozen stories that will take the listeners on a trip around the world. My latest project is Parking in Manhattan, and it contains a compendium of urban folktales that will tickle the funny bone. If you wish to make a purchase of one or more CDs, the directions on the “Recordings” page will assist you.

Looking for a unique gift children will value and cherish? A unique gift children can grow with? A unique gift children can share with their parents and friends? Give them the gift of story. It is a unique gift children will cherish for the rest of their lives!

Laughter lightens the heart. Laughter enlivens the spirit. And everyone loves to laugh at the foibles of our own species (as long as it happens at the expense of another). Call it priceless humor. Nifty stories.

What makes priceless humor? The answer is simple. Priceless humor revolves about common everyday experiences. The missed appointment. The misunderstood comment. The consequences that follow are generally laughable.

You will find lots of priceless humor in urban folktales. Listeners can readily find many humorous circumstances in my CD Parking in Manhattan. These hilarious comedies involve characters everybody can relate to and empathasize with. Priceless humor arises out of priceless situations.

You can also find many examples of priceless humor in world stories. These stories always bring gales of laughter when they are told. Check out “Rock Soup” or “Herschel in the Woods” from my CD Fables in Four Minutes. My CD World Full of Stories has many examples a listener can enjoy. There are many similar examples of priceless humor from virtually every country on the planet. You will find yourself remembering these stories for a long time.

Virtually every storytelling genre contains examples of priceless humor. Why? Simple answer number two. We learn best when we are laughing. There is often a lesson to be learned through a story with priceless humor. Priceless humor is… priceless!

Throughout the world stories have been told and retold for millennia. In the fabric of culture, they act as vital threads in the weave. In any society they define the roots and significance of the peoples. World stories spread as the culture grows.

One of the great benefits of my travels throughout the world is the wellspring of world stories I have found in each country I have visited. I have also had the opportunity to learn a bit about each country. So the world stories I hear have substantial meaning to me. In the process, I have discovered how world stories arise out of the cultures from which they are born. My firsthand experience of a given culture heightens my appreciation of their stories. I have visited countries in Europe, Central and South America, and Southeast Asia. I find myself amazed at both the differences and similarities of the various countries.

Some world stories are humorous. Other world stories are mysterious. Many world stories are insightful. Often world stories are inscrutable. Generally world stories teach. All world stories keep us amused. More.

Regardless of their intent, all world stories express deep bonds with the fabric of a country and culture. People tell of their experiences through world stories. World stories

Listen to my CD entitled “World Full of Stories” to enjoy the variety found in world stories. It is an award winning journey that will take you around the globe! At www.jaystetzer.com you will find a rich source of world stories! Nifty stories

Over the years, I have spent a good amount of my time researching stories that offer listeners something more than simply a clever plot. They hint at a direction, or perhaps a meaningful message. They might even include a moral. The name of this elusive quality is not all that important. To me, the significance is that the stories I tell have it. They are inspirational stories. Click here..

A listener can chew on the messages of inspirational stories. They can mull it over long after they heard the story. As a result, their internal compass points a bit closer to “true north.”

Go to the “Listen” page of my website. There are a number of story samples where you are liable to find some meaningful direction. I find that inspirational stories stick in the memory long after they’re told. In fact, the inspirational stories I tell even inspire me!

As we travel along the highway of life in this fast moving, complex world, we can all use a little “inner” direction. We can be confounded and dizzy by all its twists and turns. Inspirational stories help keep us on the road. It is like having your very own GPS. There is a wealth of inspirational stories available on all of my recordings. Check them out!

I am always on the lookout for stories that bring something more to listeners than a clever twist of plot. Something that the listener can relate to. Call it a message. Perhaps it gives a hint of direction. There could even be an outright moral. The name one might give to this ephemeral quality is not as important as the fact that the stories I tell actually possess it.

Even when I was growing up, I found myself deeply touched by inspirational stories. I heard similar stories from my mother and my grandfather. Occasionally a teacher would tell a story that meant a great deal to me. I was surprised to find how memorable those stories were. To this day I still remember and follow those messages. Treat others the way you want to be treated. Honesty is the best policy. Slow down and notice the things around you. Community giving is part of community living. I am who I am because of those messages.

I find myself using stories I heard long ago when I perform today. They have an ageless quality. The messages of long ago still have merit in the world today.

Why seek out inspirational stories? For one thing, we experience a deluge of information and news on a daily basis. Next, we live lives that leave no room for reflection. And without time to reflect, how can we develop insight into the affairs of the day? This is where inspirational stories serve us well. Inspirational stories give listeners something to chew on. They give us something to consider. Something that points us a bit closer to our “true north.” Something that gives us perspective.

Care for some inspiration? At www.jaystetzer.com you can find memorable inspirational stories. On the “Listen” page of my website, click any one of the story samples and you are likely to find a message worth your time. Two good examples of inspirational stories are “The Egg Seller” and “Herschel and the Wedding” from my CD World Full of Stories. “Service with a Smile” on my Parking in Manhattan CD offers the listener a great hidden lesson. I find that inspirational stories stick in the memory long after they are told. I am even inspired by the inspirational stories I tell!

The world of today is a fast moving, complex world. As we head on down the highway of life, we can all use a little direction to guide us. Inspirational stories help keep us on the road. Think of them as your own personal GPS! There’s a wealth of inspirational stories available on all of my recordings. Listen for yourself!