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Being a great fan of a good story, I always enjoy the opportunity to share stories with kids. Well, I had that chance today. It was the Day of the Arts at Juniata Gap Elementary School in Altoona, PA. Five members of the Altoona Story League, a volunteer organization whose mission is "service through stories," spent all day with about 65 first graders. I don't know who had more fun -- us or the kids!

Between stories, we did the Hokey Pokey (which you see above, being ably led by ASL member Ruth Conrad (she's the tall kid in the back clapping her hands) AND the Chicken Dance, which will now be dancing through my head for the next three days, I'm sure!

Many of the stories we told today just happened to be about animals. Ruth told a story about the elephant and the bees which explained why elephants have those long trunks. Darthea read a story about a family of dogs and cats and their attempts to protect their human family from burglars. Doris told a story about an echo which reminded us all to think before we speak. Esther told a story about a very special ball that didn't bounce very well but helped a girl learn how to walk. I told a story about a cat I know named Kit and some of her adventures.

We also gave the kids the chance to do a little ad libbed storytelling of their own adventures with some of critters they know. We heard lots of stories about dogs and cats, but there was a story about a lizard, too.

It was a great day. I saw again how stories capture imaginations and inspire even the most timid of people to stand in front of their classmates and share their thoughts. And, as they say in the Hokey Pokey, "that's what it's all about!"