Storytelling is older than speech. Early storytellers told stories in the form of chants, while they worked. These chants told the story of what they were dong and kept them from boredom. It was a means of keeping them company. Thus, everyone became a storyteller. Later on, the art of storytelling expanded from the first person into the third person narrative. Storytellers then began to use the elements. Soon, in evolved into tales of heroes, myths and legends.

Storytelling became a folk art because there were people who preferred to listen to stories and people who preferred to tell them. As society developed, there was a demand to keep an historical account of events. Thus, the storyteller was moved to an honoured position and his role became very important. Tribes competed to see who could tell the best stories. This led to exaggerated imaginary tales. Heroic feats became highly elaborated. Gradually, animals were featured and they were used as satire to relate tribal events. By using animals, storytellers could make fun of kings and chieftains without fear of retribution.

The Egyptians were the first to write down their stories. The Romans followed next, but they did not record original stories — they were versed at spreading them. The gypsies were also good at spreading stories and because they were nomadic, they were able to carry tales far and wide.

Royalty hired storytellers, or troubadours, who told tales of court scandals or heroic accomplishments, and accompanied themselves on popular musical instruments. The troubadour gradually had a retinue of tumblers, pages and buffoons who helped him tell the story and helped entertain. The troubadours were succeeded by minstrels and mummers, who travelled from town to town, and made their livelihood by entertaining people with their performances.

We tell stories to children as a means of communication, entertainment and information. Anyone can read a story to a child. However, the recently awakened art of storytelling is an intermingling of memory, voice and occasion. If it is a story we enjoy, it would be easy to commit to memory. Fluctuations in voice patterns add emphasis and build a sense of trust. There are stories for every occasion and to suit every programme.

The revival in storytelling came about because children feel a personal bond between the teller and themselves. Today, parents lead busy lives and children are relegated to films and television for entertainment. These are impersonal means of communication. Therefore, storytelling should form an invaluable part of your programme planning.

Storytelling is a shared experience — it is sharing between the Teller and the Listener. It helps children to develop the art of listening. You, as the storyteller, are encouraging the Beaver to visualize your story in his imagination. It helps the boys to relax and to know that they can fantasize without consequence.

It is important to remember that your story is not meant to be instructional — do not use your story to teach values or to sermonize. Beaver-age boys enjoy stories in which animals or objects are given feelings, such as the story of Chicken Little or The Little Red Hen. Children believe in magic and superstition:  "cross my heart and hope to die", or "step on a crack and break your mother's back." A kiss can transform the ugly frog into a handsome prince. Boys recognize that there is justice and injustice; superior and inferior; crime and punishment. Thus, it is important that your stories convey magic; princes and princesses; fantasy:  The Wizard of Oz and Aladdin and the Magic Lamp ... your stories can be far-fetched, but must have a sense of real life and fair play.

There are certain steps for the storyteller to follow. She must first select the appropriate story, then commit it to memory. She must prepare the Beavers by either having them sit on the floor in a circle or on chairs. She must then tell the story. The story must be appropriate to Beaver-age children, and to the occasion. You should not tell a Christmas story on Valentine's Day, or a story meant for an adult is not suitable for young children. Your story must build suspense and have a good climax. The characters should speak for themselves and the length must be appropriate. For Beaver-age boys, your story should be no longer than twenty minutes. The story should be long enough for your time-slot and short enough to be interesting. It should leave the boys wanting more. If you are having your entire programme dedicated to storytelling, include a blend of action songs that tell a story, poetry, nursery rhymes, chants, and folk tales. Vary the length of each.

The inexperienced storyteller should restrict themself to short stories with repetitive phrases. Never use stories from children's magazines — these are not meant to be told aloud. It is important to choose stories you like. If you do not particularly enjoy a story, the Beavers will sense this.

The next step is to memorize your story. Try to picture the story in your mind's eye — visualize a series of pictures, then learn the story by reading it aloud repeatedly — enjoy the words and the sound of phrases. It takes two to three weeks, or a total of ten to twelve hours, to learn a story properly. Look up strange words. When you read the story aloud, time yourself. When you have memorized the story, time yourself again. If you use less time, you are either telling it too fast, or leaving parts out. If you are too long, you may be telling the story too slowly. Try not to drag. Tell your story to anyone who will listen. Before going to bed, read the story aloud. Videotape yourself, if possible. Professional storytellers memorize seven stories a year. They have a repertoire of approximately twenty stories handy.

Now that you have memorized the story, you are ready to tell it. Here are some points to remember:

• Smile often and be pleasant.
• Make eye contact.
• Vary the pitch of your voice.
• Don't fidget, slouch, or put your hands in your pockets.
• Do not use voice manipulation unless you are trained in it. You may get confused and use the wrong voice for the wrong character.
• Use facial expressions and hand gestures.
• Standing is better than sitting because you can use body language. However, if the Beavers are sitting on the floor, sitting with them brings you to their level and increases intimacy.
• Try not to interrupt your story by explaining strange words. Incorporate the meaning into your story.

Storytellers can have stage fright. If you do, don't panic. Pause and think. Have cue cards handy if you think you will need reassurance. Keep the story slow-paced, simple and sincere, and you will eventually overcome your nervousness.

A story well-told will be well-received. Keep trouble-makers close to you. If other Beaver colonies invite you to tell stories to them, keep a record of the stories you have told and the date. Try not to tell them same story to the same group within a three year period — by which time the Beaver will have gone up to Cubs.

We tell stories to Beavers so that they can experience other people's lives, happiness and misfortunes. We want them to develop a concern for others, thereby learning that they must "help take care of the world." The Beaver learns to develop his imagination and escapes to another world, thereby having "fun" at the same time. He or she learns of kindness and courage rewarded; by responding with care and compassion, they learn to "help their family and friends."

As Beaver leaders, we have this splendid opportunity to share of ourselves.