A Story Teller’s Tale

Once Upon a Storyteller’s Tale By Steve York

“Once upon a time…”; the most memorable, engaging and powerful four words in all of English language storytelling. It’s true! And it isn’t just within English literature. In fact, no less than 88 world cultures catalog libraries full of stories, fables, legends, songs or religious writings that include some version of Once upon a time. And many of those writings date back thousands of years. Now, think back to your earliest childhood. Do you remember the moment when your mother first opened up that colorful picture-book to read you a bedtime story? You were instantly captured by the magic of those four words, Once upon a time. And let’s be honest…those four words have continued to captivate all of us throughout our lives. From ancient legends and fables, to poems and songs, from fairytales to animated films, from classic novels to contemporary epic motion pictures, Once upon a time still wields its magic. Why? Because we never outgrow our childhood fascination with the fantastic. Like some sorcerer’s spell, it is words such as Once upon a time which enchant us. They grab and command our attention and then…they propel us and our imaginations like arrows shot from a bow through page after page, chapter after chapter, and story after story. For example, we all recall these classic opening lines that defy us to turn away: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”(1); “Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary…”(2); “Call me Ishmael.”(3); “All this happened, more or less.”(4); and this dramatic movie opening scroll, “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…”(5). Here’s a little secret: Great storytellers know exactly when and where to use such phrases to jar and hold our awareness while weaving their tales, drawing us deeper and deeper into the magic and mystery about to unfold from within their stories and from within our imaginations. And here’s another little secret: It isn’t just those opening words. It’s the phrases used to transition from one paragraph to the next, from one scene to the next and from one chapter to the next, always mindful to keep us engaged, held in suspense and transported to the next reveal. Typically, storytellers use lines like: And, suddenly, without warning; Then, as quickly as it began… ; No question. I was lost!; In a blink, everything went dark; Here’s a little secret; and Now listen very closely to what I’m about to tell you. Of course, there are zillions more. But, to honor the season, we must include this beloved opening: “’Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house…”(6). From that point on, every child first hearing these words was forever enchanted. And, finally, let’s not overlook the four most powerful words in all of JudeoChristian religion, “In the beginning God…”(7). There could be no more profoundly evocative words in the entire history of humankind, for they set the stage for everything to come in time, space and infinity. And those words—or their equivalent—are found as the opening text within virtually all religious scripture throughout recorded history. Ah, but wait! Before we close this modest essay, let’s not forget the other two most powerful words in storytelling, “The End.” This version appears as excerpts from the author’s original essay. 1: A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens (1859), 2: The Raven, Edgar Allen Poe (1945) 3: Moby-Dick, Herman Melville (1851), 4: Slaughterhouse 5, Kurt Vonnegut (1969) 5: Star Wars, George Lucas (1977), 6: A Visit from Saint Nicholas, Clement Clarke Moore (1823) 7: Genesis, The Holy Bible (various editions) POETRY By Amy C. Millette, Vilas, NC

Winter’s Lullaby

The snow drifts down, windlessly down the side of the mountain like flour falling in slow motion time from a bread baker’s hand-turned sifter

The dusk time hush of the scene brings thoughts of lazy slumber a sense of utter quietness signaling the soundless pace of Winter

Cradled in the heartstrings of Mother’s quiet Earth Nature shifts her own heartbeat to a slowing pulse, where breathing is barely existent

Bears snuggle into the warmth of nearby hollowed caves satiated by fall’s distant bounty, hickory nuts, crunchy and tasty

huckleberries, juicy and ripe, the rare find of honey combs dripping like sticky manna from a bee’s colony of summer’s delight

The groundhog burrows deeper within his own dug den summer’s soothing song of warm winds humming in the ears of his sleep-filled dreams

No sounds from above disturb his peaceful hermitage save for the snap of a lone branch heavily weighted down with fallen snow

Winter’s Lullaby … purrs like the motor of a sleeping cat gently rocking the Earth with its long wished for melody

Hush little babies Don’t you cry … Spring’s gonna be here … by … and by …

...notes from the

Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation Rime ice coats Mile High Swinging Bridge atop Grandfather Mountain. Photo by Skip Sickler | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation

Give the Gift of Grandfather this Winter

One of Grandfather Mountain’s resident otters enjoys a snow day. Photo by Frank Ruggiero | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation

‘Tis the season to spend the holidays When you adopt an animal through Winter Hours a mile high above the ordinary at Grand- the Grandfather Mountain Steward- Grandfather Mountain is open daily father Mountain. The park is open year- ship Foundation, you help improve the throughout winter, weather permitting, round, weather permitting, which allows lives of the animals in our care — from with the exception of Thanksgiving and visitors to get a unique 360-degree Logan the cougar to Nova the river ot- Christmas, with online tickets being sold glimpse of the wintery scenery. ter. Adopted animals make great gifts, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. When winter

“Wonders never cease at Grandfather too. If you are purchasing this product weather arrives, visitors are encouraged Mountain, and the holidays are a perfect as a gift, please indicate the name of to call the park’s entrance gate at time to share that sense of wonder with the recipient, so it can be appropriately 828-733-4337 to confirm the day’s family and friends,” said Frank Ruggiero, customized. conditions and set the stage for a director of marketing and communications for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, the nonprofit organization that owns and operates the Linville, N.C., nature park. Animal Wishlist Make our animals’ season merry and bright by treating them to gift items and enrichments. An enrichment is a special treat or toy designed to memorable outing. Online Admission Now, rather than purchasing tickets at the park’s Entrance Gate, visitors must do so online in advance at www.grand-

Gift Shops break up the animals’ routines and help father.com by placing a reservation for a

Located in the Nature Museum and keep them active and intellectually set date and time of entry. This measure the Top Shop, Grandfather Mountain’s stimulated. aims to help limit the number of guests gift shops carry a variety of artisan Since the founding of the Steward- in the park at one time, in accordance crafts and goods, as well as signature ship Foundation in 2009, funds have with the state of North Carolina’s social Grandfather Mountain souvenirs, from gone to upgrading the habitats in which gathering guidelines. apparel to hiking gear to drinkware and these animals live—and to purchase A limited number of tickets will be all things in between. The shops (as well treats, toys and other enrichments to available at the gate on weekdays if the as the mountain’s Entrance Gate) also give the animals something fun and reservations are not already sold out onoffer Grandfather Mountain gift cards, different to liven up their day. line. To learn more about our COVID-19 which are applicable toward admission, Want to buy a gift for the animals operating procedures, visit www.grandsouvenirs, food, fudge and more. themselves? Visit our Animal Wishlist at father.com/covid-19-update.

Fudge Shop http://bit.ly/GMAmazonWishlist. Photo Wall

The mountain is also home to a sus- Season Pass Want to share your picture-perfect tainably operated fudge shop, which For a gift that keeps on giving, shop- visit? Post your Grandfather Mountain boasts a colorful variety of homemade, pers can purchase an annual member- photos to Instagram, Facebook or Twitter delectable and seasonal flavors. Fudge ship to Grandfather Mountain’s Bridge with our hashtag #GrandfatherMtn for will also be for sale daily in Mildred’s Grill, Club. Starting at $30 for children and a chance to be featured on our website located in the Nature Museum. $70 for adults, Bridge Club member- and photo wall in the Nature Museum. Winter notesThe not-for-profit Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation strives to inspire conservation of the natural world by helping guests explore, understand and value the wonders of Grandfather Mountain. For more information, call (800) 468-7325, or visit www.grandfather.com to plan a trip. Adopt-an-Animal Looking for a gift that’s warm and fuzzy? While Grandfather’s resident animals are not for sale, the mountain’s Adopt-an-Animal program is the next best thing. ship offers unlimited, free admission to Grandfather Mountain for a year, exclusive discounts on and off the mountain, invitations to special member programs, a Bridge Club car decal and much more. To learn more, visit http://www.grandfather.com/ product/bridge-club-membership/. The not-for-profit Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation strives to inspire conservation of the natural world by helping guests explore, understand and value the wonders of Grandfather Mountain. For more information, call (800) 468-7325, or visit www. grandfather.com to plan a trip.