Jennifer Cayley in Ontario

I knew just how grateful I was to be a storyteller for this remarkable celebration of Canadian books and stories for young people, as the clouds cleared and I thought for a moment I was on the wrong plane flying out to sea! But no, I was really flying over Lake Superior!

My first day of telling was in Flin Flon, where everyone I met was filled with community spirit and hugely enthusiastic about Canadian children’s literature. I brought students from grade 1 to grade 12 the traditional folk and fairy tales that are the heart of my repertoire. From small to big the students listened intently, bringing the old stories to life in the spaces between us.

The cab driver, who took me to the airport as I left Flin Flon, was a 19 year old grade 12 student who had been in a high school session. I had told from the Odyssey, telling for nearly an hour without a break, in complex sometimes, archaic language. This lad greeted me with, “Your presentation was tremendous. I haven’t heard such a good story for a long time.” He went on to say, he really hated school, didn’t read much and couldn’t wait to get on with being a mechanic. It was grand to see how these old stories still hold the young, even those who believe they are not interested in literature.

In Winnipeg, librarians and teachers seemed surprised and fascinated as their students listened so well and so long, deeply engaged in this simple, timeless process of words flowing out of the teller’s mouth and into the audience’s imaginations. Stories engendered many good conversations about traditional tales and how they are alive and still important for young people. The best of questions was asked many times; Is it true? The teller replying with conviction, “Yes, yes! The stories are truer than true!”

I am so grateful to all the good people who drove me, organized me, ate meals with me, funded the whole endeavor and above all, listened to the stories, sharing with me my passion for their ancient delight and wisdom.