“for a story gains power with retelling” - Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
History itself repeats. Hold on, you’ve heard that one before, and that’s not right. You probably will correct me — Isn’t it ‘history repeats itself’? Well, yes. Why do you care about it? Why do you know that phrase? What is it that makes it different from any other you’ve heard?
We use language everyday. You and I talk. We talk and make up stories. Our brains talk. When our brains talk, we come with strings of words. Sometimes meaningful, sometimes meaningless. Sometimes just sounds (I scream like a banshee whenever my brain is a mush). Well, we like talking. It is fun. We love narrating stories to each other. Stories about love, stories about war, stories about lust. Sometimes real experiences, sometimes made-up ones. But, can we differentiate what’s real and what’s not?
Here is an example:
“The zoogle bumfuzzled quietly.”
What are the made-up words? You would think zoogle and bumfuzzle. Well, you were wrong. It was a trick question. All of them are made-up words. Words in itself don’t carry meaning. It is the repeated use of these words that give them their meaning — oh, bumfuzzle is a real word, look it up!
Fine, all words are made up and repeatedly using certain words gave them their meaning. So what? That’s nothing new. Well, you think. You see, certain words gain power by their usage. For example: ‘mann ki baat’ is a very common phrase we use everyday. Why do you associate Modi with it now? It is the repeated use by an impactful leader.
Whenever certain phrases are used by powerful personalities, especially those with great influence, words gain power. Every iteration quadruples its impact. Familiarity increases. Personalities are not the only thing that influence it. It is also how much we relate to it or how much we don’t. Often the ones we don’t, we put away in a box that we don’t want to actively recall from.
When it comes to stories, it is a different story altogether (that was funny). It is always easier to remember phrases because they are shorter than stories. There is no exact iteration of a story unless you tape-recorded it. Take the Goldilocks and the Three Bears for instance. You would think the story is about a young girl who goes, eats porridge and naps. Well, I got you a second time. Goldilocks was originally an old lady. You see how the old lady became so young over time. She probably reverse-aged.
When we retell stories, they morph and twist, much like a game of Chinese whispers. Every retelling adds a new layer, a subtle change or a personal ✨touch✨. The story you heard as a child isn’t the same one you tell your friends. Each version is colored by our imagination, memory and perspective. It is fascinating how stories evolve. Just like us living organisms, adapting to their environment.
Consider the Chinese Whisper: a simple message whispered ear-to-ear becomes hilariously distorted and relayed differently. The same happens with stories. Details shift, characters change, plots bend. The essence might remain, but the form often transforms. This isn’t just amusing; it’s profound. Stories reflect the ever-changing landscape of human experience. They’re fluid, dynamic and alive, echoing the collective memory and creativity of those who share them.
When we delve into the retelling of stories, we enter a realm where narratives become vessels of culture and identity. Each retelling is not merely a repetition but a reinterpretation. The story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears is a perfect example. Originally featuring an old lady, it has transformed over time into the familiar tale of a young girl. This metamorphosis reflects societal changes, shifting values and evolving perspectives.
In the act of storytelling, we blend memory with imagination, crafting narratives that resonate with our experiences and beliefs. This creative process instils stories with personal and communal meaning. Like layers of paint on a canvas, each retelling adds depth and complexity. Characters gain new motivations, settings evolve and themes resonate differently with each telling.
When stories adapt to their surroundings, they absorb the culture and language of the storyteller, incorporating local idioms and customs. This adaptability ensures that stories remain relevant and meaningful across generations. Yet, with each adaptation, nuances are lost or altered. The details of a tale may vary depending on the teller’s perspective or the audience’s expectations.
In this way, storytelling is a dynamic and living tradition. It mirrors the fluidity of human existence where nothing remains static. Stories evolve as they pass from one person to another, each retelling leaving its mark. This evolution is not a sign of weakness or distortion but a testament to the resilience and adaptability of narratives. They survive because they can change. Ultimately the power of storytelling lies in its ability to transcend time and space, connecting us to our past, illuminating our present and guiding our future.
On a less serious note: If I got you twice, I want just say — Fool you once, shame on me; fool you twice, shame on you.