I am a professional storyteller. When people find out that I am a professional storyteller they ask what kind of stories I tell. I respond that I tell folk stories, legends and myths, stories from my family, and stories that I have made up. I tell stories from different lands and cultures and times. I tell happy stories and sad stories, funny stories and serious stories. I tell some stories just for fun. But the one thing that is the same about all of the stories I tell is that they are absolutely true.

Usually people smile a little and the occasional laugh, but rarely the flamboyant display of skepticism that I have always expected. This has me a little worried, particularly given the reality of our lives today. I am troubled that people seem so willing to accept it when an old, white, bald guy says, “Trust me, everything I tell you is the truth.”

However, in my case, all my stories are true.

Allow me to explain. If I tell you a story and if you listen. Even if the things in the story did not quite happen that way … it will tell you something true about me.

And if I tell you a story from a different land or culture or time and if you listen. Even if the things in the story did not quite happen that way … it will tell you something true about that land or culture or time.