Yamaska Literacy Council

Story Telling
by John Langlois

How many of you believe that one thing in life can change the future?

Well I do! This is my story of how one thing changed my life forever.

It started in 2001 I was as low as you can go. On the third weekend in August my home educator, told me that she was going to take me to a festival, in West Brome, where my work educator would look after me for the weekend. He was running a story telling festival.

My home educator said that when she drops me off, that if I ran away from the festival, I would be locked up by the police. So it would be best, to stay put.

The festival was to raise money for the Wish Foundation. The work was a lot of fun and the time went by quickly. The stories were very interesting. In the time that I was there, I found that I was changing in my mind and soul. What I mean is that I found my calling in life was to tell stories.

The festival went on till 2005 when we postponed the venture. Thereafter we formed a new group called the Township Troubadours. The first story they gave me to memorize was of a cowboy from Pennsylvania. The training was long and hard but the end result was dramatic. The first time I stood up to tell a story I was very scared of being in front of every body.

The stage fright never goes away but it does get better every time you go out in front of people. Story telling has changed the way that I act in the public eye. It has helped me to feel more comfortable in telling stories and has helped me to understand the old ways. It has led me to places where I would not normally go. I have met people of different nationalities and religions all over Eastern Canada.

When telling stories, the best reward is the smiles on the people’s faces when you tell them your stories. When the stories are finished, your relief is the best felling in the world. That you did it!