Excerpt: The Story Tellers

“’It happened long ago,’ the old story teller began.” He was interrupted by the same child who now spoke fearlessly, “Are all story tellers old?” The crowd gasped again at the temerity of such a question. They also wondered whether this question would cause the story teller to stop and leave.
The story teller looked at the precocious young man with a slight frown on his face for a few seconds. Then, his wrinkled face began a smile that worked from the top of his head to his neck. “Yes, it is true that all story tellers are old; at least the great ones. Do you understand why this is so, my child?”
The child pondered this question and after a few minutes, he looked the story teller in the eyes and said, “I do not. Please tell me story teller. Please tell us.”
The story teller scratched his grey beard preparing to answer. “Story tellers are burdened with the responsibility to pass on the wisdom of the ages. In order to be a story teller, you must learn the wisdom of the ages. That takes a long time, my child. Does this make sense to you?”
“Yes, it does, story teller. I hope that someday I might become a story teller like you,” the young child added somberly. The crowd smiled, holding back laughter at the thought that this young child might someday become a story teller.
The old story teller’s eyes grew narrower, in a thoughtful gesture. “Are you able to withstand hardships and deprivations? Are you strong and courageous? Are you willing to face death to become a story teller?” He anticipated the reaction of the crowd and silenced their future snickers with a glare. He knew that they did not know the dangers a story teller had to go through.
The young boy looked at the older man gravely, “I do not know if I am that strong, story teller. I know that I can face the hardships, for I have lived with hardships daily. I will do what you ask and succeed, or be willing to give my life in the attempt.”
The old story teller smiled, pleased at the response and ambition of the young man. “You have chosen an honorable quest, my child. I will gladly help you, if you will allow me. Would you allow me to help you in your journey to become a story teller?”
The crowd at the library gasped. The young boy, not understanding all the implications of his dream, smiled at the recognition, “Yes, story teller, I would. I would be honored.”
“Then after this story, we shall make arrangements. You seem a bright young man, and it is I who would be honored if you would allow me to help you. It is my desire to see you become the greatest story teller of all times.” The old man looked at the crowd who didn’t know what to make of this development. “You shall help him as he needs help. It is up to The People to help a story teller become great.” They nodded silently, amazed that they had seen the choosing of the next story teller.