The above-named organization is the story telling club of the
University. Its formation grew out of the enthusiasm of four young
women who were studying the great Anglo-Saxon epic, of course, in
the original. Their eagerness to master the famous tale, to be
able to retell it with at least somewhat of its original vigor,
picturesqueness, and fascination, was worthy of a permanent record.
Their zeal was to make the story something more than a mere name. They
thought that this priceless bit of literary heritage should be gotten
off the printed page and down into the hearts of people far and wide
throughout our State.
As the idea developed its possibilities began to be more fully
realized. Here was an opportunity of enlisting the sympathies of some
of the brightest young men and young women of the University, in the
great stories of the world; stories of all ages and all countries;
prose and verse, ranging from the fairy tale to the Iliad. And,
moreover, it was thought that the interest would not be a passing one,
but permanent. The necessity of mastering the outlines of a story, the
practice in recreating it by memory and imagination, the vivifying of
it through the emotions and the personality of the teller, was believed
to furnish an exercise in many ways more pleasurable and profitable
than those obtained in the usual recitation.
The result more than fulfilled all expectations. The club was formed
on the Twenty-ninth of February, Nineteen hundred and eight. Since
that time it has not missed a single meeting. The membership averages
about twelve from year to year. Most of these on leaving the University
become teachers and carry the work into their schools, teachers’
institutes, and public entertainments. Several times the club has been
invited to give a public performance. Invitations to its meetings are
eagerly welcomed and the young people who tell the stories never lack
for an appreciative audience.
* * * * *
Detroit, Michigan, has recently organized a Story Tellers’ League. Miss
Mary Conover is President, and Miss Alice M. Alexander, Secretary. The
first program is devoted to Irish stories; the second evening Folk
stories. Hero tales for another meeting, with Bible and Animal stories
to make up the programs for two meetings. The League meets at the
College Club rooms, and has a membership of thirty.