The Storyteller

The Storyteller

BY THOMAS RYDER

The masterful brush of Morgan Weistling has captured a soothing family scene from the past—a grandfather tells his stories to a group of attentive listeners around an old stone fireplace which emits light and warmth about the room.

The glow from the fire brightens the face of the storyteller and the children remain fixated on the story. So captivated is the older girl, that she holds her chin with her right hand, while the boy sitting near the fire grasps his cup with both hands and is careful to not miss a word. There is not an ounce of frenzy in the air. On the contrary, the atmosphere is one of serenity and calm, garnished with a sense of respect for the older generation. One could even venture to comment that the children’s posture nearly betrays a sense of veneration for their grandfather.

Indeed, the painter has captured a moment of perfect harmony and joy in the life of these children.

One could further imagine, that upon bringing the story to a close, not without some protestation from the children, the grandfather will rise from his chair to bless each of the children before sending them off to bed.

The contrast between this scene and a modern TV room, with everyone mesmerized by the screen, is startling. One ambiance fits well with a lit fireplace, the other competes for attention with it. One is more personal, the other not so much. One is conducive to a deeper family bond, while the other actually inhibits the growth of personal relationships.

There is something in the human soul which is only fulfilled by direct contact with other human beings. People never tire of going out with friends, while the Zoom world has quickly become dull.

For myself, I would like nothing better than to step into Weistling’s painting and quietly take up my spot among those children. ■