Is a Story an Organism?

The definition of organism on Google:

A whole with interdependent parts, likened to a living being.

A story is truly an organism.

If you think about it, a classical story that is told today is much older than we are.

Examples: Romeo & Juliet, The Odyssey, Moby Dick, etc.

‘But why are you calling a story an organism?’

Because think about it.

A story is passed down from generation to generation.

Just like a human life.

The only way that a story will keep its life is if it was impactful enough to be spread by our grandchildren.

In that case, a story can maintain life or die a merciful death solely based off of our future generation.

It is a being of its own.

A well-crafted tale is enough to change the future.

No lie.

But why is a story so impactful?

Because it is entertaining.

Humans love to be entertained.

Because it is emotional.

Humans love to feel emotion.

Because it teaches lessons.

Humans……..

‘Wait!! Lessons? I thought those were for ‘how to’ stuff.’

Aha!

You have just proven a key point, my friend.

You are learning, but do not even know it.

That is why a story can become immortal.

It takes you on a journey that engages your brain and your heart.

Left & Right Brain

A story engages your creative brain by forcing you to engage your imagination.

Your imagination will allow you to enter a journey into a new world.

You will be introduced to characters, plot twists, settings, conflicts & much more.

Then it will end.

You will return back from your journey to your everyday life.

But something will be different.

You will feel wiser.

You have lowkey learned a ton of lessons from this imaginary world that you can apply to your real life!

Let’s bring up an example.

• The tortoise and the hare.

I hope you do not think the whole story was about a race.

It was about how to never underestimate an opponent & be lazy.

The hare was clearly faster than the tortoise.

But since the hare had so much hubris, he slept on his competitor.

Lesson?

• Do not underestimate your challenger.

That was the moral of the story.

Even though the author never states it verbatim, we have enough common sense (hopefully) to pick up on the theme.

Is storytelling in our blood?

I mean our PRIMAL ancestors were storytelling.

This isn’t some new-aged sort of entertainment.

There is a purpose.

Is it for our survival?

Hm.. who knows.

My guess?

Yes.

Stories in some way enhance our survival.

For more storytelling insights, be sure to check out the Art & Science of Storytelling Book!

– ArmaniTalks