,,,==>
– Will you tell me a story?
[[Listen|Conversation 1]]“OK. Let’s tell it.”
==>
[[Listen|Listen 1]]“Once there was a storyteller. When she was born, a forest spirit gave the baby a gift: The child would grow up to be the greatest storyteller in the land, and people would travel from miles around just to hear her thrilling, strange and beautiful tales(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.
“But there was another spirit, a river spirit, who was unhappy. The forest and river spirits had once been the closest of friends. But one day the river spirit said something that upset the forest spirit, and then the forest spirit began spending more time with humans, and with the storyteller’s mother in particular, and the river spirit grew jealous. So when the storyteller was born, the river spirit gave her a curse: Whenever she tried to speak, huge flocks of birds would begin calling, and no one would be able to hear her(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.
“And so it came to pass. The child grew, and grew full of astonishing stories, stories she couldn’t wait to tell the world. But whenever she opened her mouth, flocks of birds would surround her. She would begin to speak, and the birds would open their beaks and drown out her words. Sometimes it was a murder of crows cawing raucously, sometimes it was a murmuration of starlings twittering incessantly – but always, the storyteller would be silenced(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.
“When the storyteller came of age (around 13 years old in those days), she went looking for help. She went to an old wise woman in the village. When the woman came to the door, the storyteller looked up with a plea in her eyes. (She couldn’t write down her problem either, or the birds would snatch it away.) Luckily, the wise woman knew exactly what was wrong, and had been waiting for this day(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.
“‘You’ve been cursed,’ said the wise woman. ‘It’s not your fault. When you were born, the forest and river spirits were fighting, and your curse was the result. They’re fighting still. I’m afraid the curse can only be lifted if you can bring them back together(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[’.”
“The storyteller couldn’t speak, but she was full of compassion. She hated to see people fighting, and when her siblings argued she would be the one to go to them. She would hold them and show them they were loved, until the tears stopped and they no longer wanted to fight(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.
“So the storyteller went to the wood. She went to each tree and put her arms around them and let them know that they were loved. And inside the tree, the green spirit’s heart began to beat. And then the storyteller went to the river, and stepped into it and opened her arms and let it know that it was loved. And beneath the river, the blue spirit’s heart began to beat(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.”
“The change didn’t come overnight. It took many weeks of winning the trust of the forest and the river. Often the storyteller felt like giving up, often she felt an anger rising in her. But eventually, one day — a quiet, grey sort of day — the spirit of the forest and the spirit of the river came out of their hiding places and saw each other. And began to move towards each other. And spoke to each other for the first time in years. And the curse was lifted(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.
“As the storyteller saw the spirits embracing, she felt the words bubbling inside her belly. She needed to speak. And there were no birds to be seen. She opened her mouth. She began to speak(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.
“And this is the story she told...”
[[Listen|Listen 2]]\
(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>]\
]]]]]]]]]“Once there was a storyteller. He knew he was destined to be the greatest storyteller in the galaxy. He could feel it. He had the skill, the charisma, the passion — he just needed the material. So he spent his life travelling between the planets and gathering all the best ideas he could find(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.
“He travelled to Mars, and joined the Resistance. He became the elected captain of the revolutionary band that took Olympus Mons. They won the war for the new, just society. He left before his name could be known, and took with him the flag they carried into battle. Later, he tried to tell the story of the great struggle to his mother. But when he opened his mouth he found he didn’t know where to start and so he could not speak(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.
“So he travelled to Jupiter, and became a naturalist. He studied the huge electric cloud beings that live in the wind storms of that planet. He led a team that discovered great truths about the nature of life itself, about how atoms come to think in the world. But he left before the papers were published, and took with him a small jar of cloud spirit. Later, he tried to tell the story of life to a great professor. But when he opened his mouth he found no words could express what he knew and so he could not speak(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.
“So he travelled to Pluto. He trekked alone across the face of that cold, small rock. Few had travelled this far, and fewer had survived. He made maps of the hills and valleys. He wrote poems about the great loneliness he felt, but he destroyed them all before he could share them. He left before the long nights drove him into despair, and took with him a perfectly round stone. Later, he tried to tell the story of his sorrow to another man in a space station orbiting Saturn. But when he opened his mouth he found he had forgotten all words and so he could not speak(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.
“There were other journeys. He raided a secret alien temple on Mercury, and stole a scepter from its heart, but when he tried to show people he worried they wouldn’t believe him. He worked as a labourer back on Earth, learning about the people’s lives, and took a hammer when he left, but when he tried to share his learning he worried people would find it patronising. He kept moving and searching. He travelled to every planet in the galaxy, and a few of the comets, and even beyond the farthest dwarf planet’s orbit. And there he looked at all the priceless memories he’d gathered, laid out before him in the airlock(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.
“He looked at the flag, the jar, the stone, the scepter, the hammer, and more. And then he shut the door on them, and pulled the lever, and they floated out into space. He felt a weight leave his chest. And he sat down in front of a video screen, and opened his mouth to speak(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.
“And this is the story he told...”
[[Listen|Listen 3]]\
(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>]\
]]]]]]“Once there was a storyteller. Their whole life, they bubbled with amazing facts, exciting knowledge, tremendous ideas. They longed to share the things they had learned with other people. They longed to tell all the enthralling stories(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.
“But whenever they tried to speak, other people turned away. ‘You’re boring,’ they said. Or, ‘You’re too loud.’ Or, ‘Stop explaining things to me.’ Or harsher words(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.
“At first, the storyteller kept trying. They couldn’t keep their joy hidden. They were sure if they just tried hard enough then other people would understand what made them so happy. But year after year the storyteller got more and more frustrated. People didn’t want to listen. People could be so cruel. The storyteller got hurt, and the storyteller got angry(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.
“So the storyteller stopped speaking. When people kept being cruel the storyteller would scream, or hit out, or run away. They got lonelier and lonelier. Until, one day, they ran into a room, hiding from bullies much bigger than they were, and slammed the door behind them, and saw that the room was full of other people(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.
“‘Hello,’ said someone with a big smile and pink spiky hair. ‘Come and sit down and talk to us.’ The storyteller sat down, not sure what to say. ‘We are each telling the group about something interesting. Come and sit(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.’
“The storyteller sat down, a little scared, and listened. A boy on the other side of the circle was talking about different types of engine. He kept going for a little while, then stopped, and everyone said thank you and clapped. Then someone next to him started speaking about their favourite Doctor Who episodes, and someone else joined in, and they got more and more excited. Eventually, the pink-haired person called time and said thank you, and everyone clapped. The stories kept going around the circle(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.
“The storyteller didn’t speak that week, but they came back the next, and the next. The group didn’t always share interests. Sometimes they talked about how difficult other people could be, and ways of communicating with them that weren’t so frustrating. Sometimes they talked about the things that made them upset, and how to cope with that. But the storyteller’s favourite circles were the ones where people talked about the things that brought joy into the world(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.
“One day, when the storyteller finally trusted the group enough, and trusted themself enough to try again, they decided to speak. So they opened the door, and sat down, and opened their mouth to speak, and this is the story they told(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.”
==>
//– `[Silence]`//
[[Wait|Conversation 2]]\
(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>]\
]]]]]]]]<p style="text-align:right">(t8n: "dissolve")+(link-reveal: "– Aren’t you going to keep telling the stories?")[</p>\
<p style="text-align:left">(t8n: "dissolve")+(link-reveal: "“No. It’s your turn now”")[</p>\
<p style="text-align:right">(t8n: "dissolve")+(link-reveal: "– I don’t know how!")[</p>\
<p style="text-align:left">(t8n: "dissolve")+(link-reveal: "“Yes you do. But if you like, I can help you the first time.”")[</p>\
<p style="text-align:right">(t8n: "dissolve")+(link-reveal: "– Yes please.")[</p>\
<p style="text-align:left">“OK, let’s tell it.”</p>\
<p style="text-align:right">[[Tell It|Tell It 1a]]]]]]]</p>Once there was a storyteller.
They lived in a (cycling-link: bind $home, "desert", "city", "seashell", "mansion").
[[...|Tell It 1b]](set: $counter to it +1)\
(if: $home is 'desert')[\
(set: $homeadjlist1 to (a: "vast", "cold", "dark", "silent"))\
(set: $homeadjlist2 to (a: "lonely", "wealthy", "distant", "beautiful"))]\
(else-if: $home is 'city')[\
(set: $homeadjlist1 to (a: "historic", "flying", "huge", "grey"))\
(set: $homeadjlist2 to (a: "busy", "poor", "lonely", "golden"))]\
(else-if: $home is 'seashell')[\
(set: $homeadjlist1 to (a: "tiny", "rainbow", "old", "ordinary"))\
(set: $homeadjlist2 to (a: "neat", "many-roomed", "broken", "boring"))]\
(else-if: $home is 'mansion')[\
(set: $homeadjlist1 to (a: "rambling", "haunted", "modern", "great"))\
(set: $homeadjlist2 to (a: "decaying", "stylish", "ugly", "dirty"))]\
Once there was a storyteller.
They lived in a\
(if: $counter is 1)[\
(cycling-link: bind $homeadj1, ...$homeadjlist1)\
$home.
[[...|Tell It 1b]]]\
(else-if: $counter is 2)[\
$homeadj1 and (cycling-link: bind $homeadj2, ...$homeadjlist2)\
$home.
[[...|Tell It 1c]]](set: $counter to it +1)\
Once there was a storyteller.
They lived in a $homeadj1 and $homeadj2 $home.
(if: $counter is 3)[\
They loved to tell stories, but (cycling-link: bind $obstacle, 'they were too shy to know how to start', 'they had to spend all day working to feed their old and sick parents', 'whenever they began one story, they kept thinking of a better one, and so they never got to the ending', 'they had nobody to tell them too', 'had to fight monsters every night instead').
[[...|Tell It 1c]]]\
(else-if: $counter is 4)[\
They loved to tell stories, but $obstacle.
So \
(if: $obstacle's last is 't')[\
they decided to leave the $home behind. They travelled a long way from home and (cycling-link: bind $step2, 'had many adventures', 'found a quiet place to meditate', 'began talking to animals').
[[...|Tell It 1dt]]]\
(else-if: $obstacle's last is 's')[\
they began to compose a story in their head as they worked. In snatched seconds between one task and another, they thought up a new line, a new description, a new event(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.
Every night they were too exhausted to speak, to tell their parents the story, but just having the tale gave them strength. Each day was a little easier than the last, with the story to look forward to(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.
So one night, after cooking dinner, they felt, for once, a little lighter. As they served the meal they found they were ready to share the story.
And this is the story they told[[...|Conversation 3]]]]]\
(else-if: $obstacle's last is 'g')[\
they decided to leave the $home behind until they had the right story. They travelled a long way from home and (cycling-link: bind $step2, 'had many adventures', 'found a quiet place to meditate', 'began talking to animals').
[[...|Tell It 1dg]]]\
(else-if: $obstacle's last is 'o')[\
they began to talk to the birds. Yes, there were birds that lived in the $home too: tiny, sharp little things. They never showed if they were listening, but the storyteller enjoyed the telling(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[
Their confidence grew, and they tried speaking to the (if: $home is 'desert' or 'seashell')[sand](else-if: $home is 'city' or 'mansion')[walls] as well. And then to the sky(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.
One day, a traveller was passing by the $home on her own adventure, and heard noisy, enthusiastic applause echoing (if: $home is 'desert' or 'seashell')[across the sand](else-if: $home is 'city' or 'mansion')[from the walls]. She searched until she found the storyteller. 'Welcome!' they said. 'Sit down!'
And this is the story they told[[...|Conversation 3]]]]]\
(else-if: $obstacle's last is 'd')[\
one night, as the monsters approached, they decided to try something else. They were tired of fighting, and their arms were sore. Besides, it was so much work to clean up(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.
'Wait!' shouted the storyteller, as the monsters' great, slathering mouths closed in. 'There's something important I have to tell you.' 'It's a trick,' said one monster, and 'I'm hungry!' said another(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.
But a third said 'What harm can it do to listen?', and their was much grumbling, but the monsters paused. The storyteller swallowed, hard.
And this is the story they told[[...|Conversation 3]]]]]]\
(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>]<p style="text-align:left">(t8n: "dissolve")+(link-reveal: "“That was an amazing story.”")[</p>\
<p style="text-align:right">(t8n: "dissolve")+(link-reveal: "– It was a bit messy.")[</p>\
<p style="text-align:left">(t8n: "dissolve")+(link-reveal: "“Yes. That’s often the way the first time. But it was still amazing.”")[</p>\
<p style="text-align:right">(t8n: "dissolve")+(link-reveal: "– Can I try again?”")[</p>\
<p style="text-align:left">(t8n: "dissolve")+(link-reveal: "“Yes. But you’ve got to do more of it yourself this time.”")[</p>\
<p style="text-align:right">(t8n: "dissolve")+(link-reveal: "– OK. But will you help?")[</p>\
<p style="text-align:left">“I’ll help. Let’s tell it.”</p>\
<p style="text-align:right">[[Tell It|Tell 2A]]]]]]]]</p><p style="text-align:left">(t8n: "dissolve")+(link-reveal: "“SO GOOD.”")[</p>\
<p style="text-align:right">(t8n: "dissolve")+(link-reveal: "– I’m a bit worried about it. It doesn’t feel finished or perfect, and I got one bit wrong…")[</p>\
<p style="text-align:left">(t8n: "dissolve")+(link-reveal: "“That’s OK. You can work on it again later. Right now you should congratulate yourself for telling a story. Well done!”")[</p>\
<p style="text-align:right">(t8n: "dissolve")+(link-reveal: "– Thank you.")[</p>\
<p style="text-align:left">(t8n: "dissolve")+(link-reveal: "“Is something wrong?”")[</p>\
<p style="text-align:right">(t8n: "dissolve")+(link-reveal: "– It was difficult! Can we tell just one more?")[</p>\
<p style="text-align:left">“OK. But now I’d like to hear a story about you.”</p>\
<p style="text-align:right">[[Tell It|Tell 3A]]]]]]]]</p><img src="images/storytellercovertransparentsmall.png" alt="[Image: A young person with many hairstyles sits by a river telling stories]" class="responsive">
Thank you for reading, writing and playing!
This was made by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.harryjosephine.com"><b>Harry Josephine Giles</b></a> for the <b>Royal Conservatoire of Scotland</b>'s <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.limitlesspilot.co.uk/index.html"><b>Limitless</b> project</a>.
You can find your first story [[here|First Story]], your second [[here|Second Story]], and your third [[here|Third Story]]. They won't save anywhere when you close this window, and we don't keep them either, so make sure to print or copy them if you want to keep them.
Please keep telling stories.
[[Start again|Opening 0]]\
(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>]<b>The First Story</b>
Once there was a storyteller.
They lived in a $homeadj1 and $homeadj2 $home.
They loved to tell stories, but $obstacle.
So \
(if: $obstacle's last is 't')[(display: 'Tell It 1dttwo')]\
(else-if: $obstacle's last is 's')[\
they began to compose a story in their head as they worked. In snatched seconds between one task and another, they thought up a new line, a new description, a new event.
Every night they were too exhausted to speak, to tell their parents the story, but just having the tale gave them strength. Each day was a little easier than the last, with the story to look forward to.
So one night, after cooking dinner, they felt, for once, a little lighter. As they served the meal they found they were ready to share the story.
And this is the story they told....]\
(else-if: $obstacle's last is 'g')[(display: 'Tell It 1dgtwo')]\
(else-if: $obstacle's last is 'o')[\
they began to talk to the birds. Yes, there were birds that lived in the $home too: tiny, sharp little things. They never showed if they were listening, but the storyteller enjoyed the telling.
Their confidence grew, and they tried speaking to the (if: $home is 'desert' or 'seashell')[sand](else-if: $home is 'city' or 'mansion')[walls] as well. And then to the sky.
One day, a traveller was passing by the $home on her own adventure, and heard noisy, enthusiastic applause echoing (if: $home is 'desert' or 'seashell')[across the sand](else-if: $home is 'city' or 'mansion')[from the walls]. She searched until she found the storyteller. 'Welcome!' they said. 'Sit down!'
And this is the story they told...]\
(else-if: $obstacle's last is 'd')[\
one night, as the monsters approached, they decided to try something else. They were tired of fighting, and their arms were sore. Besides, it was so much work to clean up.
'Wait!' shouted the storyteller, as the monsters' great, slathering mouths closed in. 'There's something important I have to tell you.' 'It's a trick,' said one monster, and 'I'm hungry!' said another.
But a third said 'What harm can it do to listen?', and their was much grumbling, but the monsters paused. The storyteller swallowed, hard.
And this is the story they told...]
[[Second Story|Second Story]] | [[Third Story|Third Story]] | [[Credits|Ending]]<b>The Second Story</b>
$Tell2A
$Tell2B
$Tell2C
$Tell2D
$Tell2E
$Tell2F
The storyteller began to speak. And this is the story the storyteller told...
[[First Story|First Story]] | [[Third Story|Third Story]] | [[Credits|Ending]]<b>The Third Story</b>
$Tell3A
$Tell3B
$Tell3C
[[First Story|First Story]] | [[Second Story|Second Story]] | [[Credits|Ending]](set: $Tell2A to "//`[Silence]`//")\
(set: $Tell2B to "//`[Silence]`//")\
(set: $Tell2C to "//`[Silence]`//")\
(set: $Tell2D to "//`[Silence]`//")\
(set: $Tell2E to "//`[Silence]`//")\
(set: $Tell2F to "//`[Silence]`//")\
“I’m going to give you a series of questions. Each time, I’ll ask you to write down a certain number of sentences as an answer. The trick is not to worry too much about getting it right. Any answer is good, and whatever you come up with will be exciting. You can always change it later, and right now we’re just telling the first version. You can type it here, or write it down on paper if you like.”
(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "“Ready? Let's go.”")[\
\“Think of a world. It could be magical, or futuristic, or just your home town, or something else. Write down three sentences about that world.”
|Input2A>[<textarea name="text" rows="10" cols="50" wrap="soft" data-varname="Tell2A"> </textarea>
<script>processInputElements();</script>]
\(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "“Ready for the next bit?”")[\
\(replace: ?Input2A)[<p style="text-align:right">- $Tell2A</p>]“Great. Now, think of a storyteller. They could be young or old, human or alien, anything at all. Write down one sentence about the storyteller.”
|Input2B>[<textarea name="text" rows="10" cols="50" wrap="soft" data-varname="Tell2B"> </textarea>
<script>processInputElements();</script>]
\(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "“Ready for the next bit?”")[\
\(replace: ?Input2B)[<p style="text-align:right">- $Tell2B</p>]“Nice work. Now think of something that gets in the way of the storyteller telling stories. A spell, a quest, an enemy, a fear? Write down one sentence about the obstacle.”
|Input2C>[<textarea name="text" rows="10" cols="50" wrap="soft" data-varname="Tell2C"> </textarea>
<script>processInputElements();</script>]
\(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "“Ready for the next bit?”")[\
\(replace: ?Input2C)[<p style="text-align:right">- $Tell2C</p>]“OK, now you’ve got a hero and an obstacle. Time to send that hero on a quest. Where is your hero going to go to be able to tell stories? Write down two sentences about what the hero needs to do.”
|Input2D>[<textarea name="text" rows="10" cols="50" wrap="soft" data-varname="Tell2D"> </textarea>
<script>processInputElements();</script>]
\(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "“Ready for the next bit?”")[\
\(replace: ?Input2D)[<p style="text-align:right">- $Tell2D</p>](live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>]“Now it’s freestyle. You’ve got five minutes to send your hero on the quest. Does it all go well? Does something go wrong? What do they learn along the way? Go with your first idea each time. Maybe you’ll surprise yourself. Time to write.”
|Input2E>[<textarea name="text" rows="10" cols="50" wrap="soft" data-varname="Tell2E"> </textarea>
<script>processInputElements();</script>]
(set: $counter to 300)\
|timer>[You have 5 minutes left!]\
(live: 1s)[\
(set: $counter to it - 1)\
(if: $counter>239)[(set: $secs to $counter-240, $mins to 4)]\
(else-if: 240>$counter and $counter>179)[(set: $secs to $counter-180, $mins to 3)]\
(else-if: 180>$counter and $counter>119)[(set: $secs to $counter-120, $mins to 2)]\
(else-if: 120>$counter and $counter >59)[(set: $secs to $counter-60, $mins to 1)]\
(else-if: 60>$counter and $counter>0)[(set: $secs to $counter, $mins to 0)]\
(else:)[(set: $secs to 0)]\
(if: $counter>=0)[(replace: ?timer)[You have $mins minutes $secs seconds left!]]\
(else-if: $counter<0)[(stop:)(replace: ?timer)[(t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "“Ready for the next bit?”")[\
\(replace: ?Input2E)[<p style="text-align:right">- $Tell2E</p>]“You should have told most of your story now. It’s time to get to the ending. Your storyteller is nearly ready to tell a story. So write down the last few sentences it takes to get your story to an ending.”
|Input2F>[<textarea name="text" rows="10" cols="50" wrap="soft" data-varname="Tell2F"> </textarea>
<script>processInputElements();</script>]
\(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "“Ready for the next bit?”")[\
\(replace: ?Input2F)[<p style="text-align:right">- $Tell2F</p>]“Now it’s time for the final magic words. Repeat after me, ‘The storyteller began to speak. And this is the story the storyteller told...’”\
\<p style="text-align:right">[[The storyteller began to speak. And this is the story the storyteller told...|Conversation 4]]</p>
(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>]]]]]]]]]]](set: $Tell3A to "//`[Silence]`//")\
(set: $Tell3B to "//`[Silence]`//")\
(set: $Tell3C to "//`[Silence]`//")\
(set: $Tell3D to "//`[Silence]`//")\
(set: $Tell3E to "//`[Silence]`//")\
(set: $Tell3F to "//`[Silence]`//")\
“You are a storyteller. You’re full of stories you can share with the world. But sometimes things get in the way. I’d like to hear about them.”
(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "“Ready? Let's go.”")[\
\“What gets in the way of you telling the stories you want to tell? Is it not having time, or not knowing how, or getting anxious about it, or something else? Write down three reasons telling a story can be difficult.”
|Input3A>[<textarea name="text" rows="10" cols="50" wrap="soft" data-varname="Tell3A"> </textarea>
<script>processInputElements();</script>]
\(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "“Ready for the next question?”")[\
\(replace: ?Input3A)[<p style="text-align:right">- $Tell3A</p>]“Sometimes it helps to imagine the world a different way. Maybe if the world were better, or more supportive of you, it would be easier to tell good stories. What would you like to change in the world so that there could be more stories? More money for everyone, bigger libraries, free computers, something else? Write down three ideas for a better world.”
|Input3B>[<textarea name="text" rows="10" cols="50" wrap="soft" data-varname="Tell3B"> </textarea>
<script>processInputElements();</script>]
\(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "“Ready for the next question?”")[\
\(replace: ?Input3B)[<p style="text-align:right">- $Tell3B</p>]“But we can’t just wish the world different. We have to make it different. What could you do this year to make the world more full of stories? Ask for something you need, practice a skill you’d like to have, start a campaign to change your home town? Write down three ideas for quests you can go on so that you can tell more stories.”
|Input3C>[<textarea name="text" rows="10" cols="50" wrap="soft" data-varname="Tell3C"> </textarea>
<script>processInputElements();</script>]
\(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "“Ready?”")[\
\(replace: ?Input3C)[<p style="text-align:right">- $Tell3C</p>]“Thank you. It takes a lot of guts to come up with ideas like this. Everyone who tells a story is brave.”
“It’s time for me to leave now. You can tell great stories. You’re ready to speak, you open your mouth, and [[this is the story you’ll tell...”|Ending]]\
(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>]]]]] <img src="images/storytellercovertransparentsmall.png" alt="[Image: A young person with many hairstyles sits by a river telling stories]" class="responsive">
Welcome to *The Storyteller*.
This is an interactive story about telling stories. At first, you'll advance the story by clicking (t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "the blue text...")[ the blue text. Yes, exactly like that. Later, you'll have a chance to make some choices, and then write some stories yourself. Reading and telling the story will take 20-30 minutes.
*The Storyteller* was made by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.harryjosephine.com"><b>Harry Josephine Giles</b></a> for the <b>Royal Conservatoire of Scotland</b>'s <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.limitlesspilot.co.uk/index.html"><b>Limitless</b> project</a>.
[[Ready? Let's tell some stories.|Opening 0]](live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>]]
Once there was a storyteller.
They lived in a $homeadj1 and $homeadj2 $home.
They loved to tell stories, but $obstacle.
So they decided to leave the $home behind. They travelled a long way from home and\
(if: $step2 is 'had many adventures')[had many adventures.
They climbed the Great Tower, they stole a book from the Library of Babel, they even saw the waterfall at the edge of the world. They changed(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.
(display:"Tell It 1dt ending")]]\
(else-if: $step2 is 'found a quiet place to meditate')[found a quiet place to meditate.
They spent many years in deep contemplation in a cool, dark cave. They learned about the mysteries of the universe, and the mysteries of their own heart. One day, almost by chance, they stepped outside again, very different(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.
(display:"Tell It 1dt ending")]]\
(else-if: $step2 is 'began talking to animals')[began talking to animals.
They went deep into the forest and learned the language of wolves. They climbed a high mountain and learned the language of birds. They spoke to fish and mice and dragons. They changed(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.
(display:"Tell It 1dt ending")]]\
(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>]Once there was a storyteller.
They lived in a $homeadj1 and $homeadj2 $home.
They loved to tell stories, but $obstacle.
So they decided to leave the $home behind until they had the right story. They travelled a long way from home and\
(if: $step2 is 'had many adventures')[had many adventures.
They climbed the Great Tower, they stole a book from the Library of Babel, they even saw the waterfall at the edge of the world. They learned so much(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.
(display:"Tell It 1dg ending")]]\
(else-if: $step2 is 'found a quiet place to meditate')[found a quiet place to meditate.
They spent many years in deep contemplation in a cool, dark cave. They learned about the mysteries of the universe, and the mysteries of their own heart. One day, almost by chance, they stepped outside again, so much wiser(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.
(display:"Tell It 1dg ending")]]\
(else-if: $step2 is 'began talking to animals')[began talking to animals.
They went deep into the forest and learned the language of wolves. They climbed a high mountain and learned the language of birds. They spoke to fish and mice and dragons. They learned so much(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](t8n: "dissolve")+(link: "...")[.
(display:"Tell It 1dg ending")]]\
(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>]And so when they returned to that $homeadj1, $homeadj2 $home, nobody remembered who they were. And when they saw their reflection, they saw a very different person to the person who had left. There was no reason to by shy any more.
They opened their mouth to speak. And this is the story they told[[...|Conversation 3]]\
(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>](live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>]And so when they returned to that $homeadj1, $homeadj2 $home, they realised they had more than enough stories to last the rest of their life, and none of them needed a perfect ending. They gathered their people around them.
They opened their mouth to speak. And this is the story they told[[...|Conversation 3]]\
(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>]they decided to leave the $home behind. They travelled a long way from home and\
(if: $step2 is 'had many adventures')[had many adventures.
They climbed the Great Tower, they stole a book from the Library of Babel, they even saw the waterfall at the edge of the world. They changed.
And so when they returned to that $homeadj1, $homeadj2 $home, nobody remembered who they were. And when they saw their reflection, they saw a very different person to the person who had left. There was no reason to by shy any more.
They opened their mouth to speak. And this is the story they told...]\
(else-if: $step2 is 'found a quiet place to meditate')[found a quiet place to meditate.
They spent many years in deep contemplation in a cool, dark cave. They learned about the mysteries of the universe, and the mysteries of their own heart. One day, almost by chance, they stepped outside again, very different.
And so when they returned to that $homeadj1, $homeadj2 $home, nobody remembered who they were. And when they saw their reflection, they saw a very different person to the person who had left. There was no reason to by shy any more.
They opened their mouth to speak. And this is the story they told...]]\
(else-if: $step2 is 'began talking to animals')[began talking to animals.
They went deep into the forest and learned the language of wolves. They climbed a high mountain and learned the language of birds. They spoke to fish and mice and dragons. They changed.
And so when they returned to that $homeadj1, $homeadj2 $home, nobody remembered who they were. And when they saw their reflection, they saw a very different person to the person who had left. There was no reason to by shy any more.
They opened their mouth to speak. And this is the story they told...]\
(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>]they decided to leave the $home behind until they had the right story. They travelled a long way from home and\
(if: $step2 is 'had many adventures')[had many adventures.
They climbed the Great Tower, they stole a book from the Library of Babel, they even saw the waterfall at the edge of the world. They learned so much.
And so when they returned to that $homeadj1, $homeadj2 $home, they realised they had more than enough stories to last the rest of their life, and none of them needed a perfect ending. They gathered their people around them.
They opened their mouth to speak. And this is the story they told...]\
(else-if: $step2 is 'found a quiet place to meditate')[found a quiet place to meditate.
They spent many years in deep contemplation in a cool, dark cave. They learned about the mysteries of the universe, and the mysteries of their own heart. One day, almost by chance, they stepped outside again, so much wiser.
And so when they returned to that $homeadj1, $homeadj2 $home, they realised they had more than enough stories to last the rest of their life, and none of them needed a perfect ending. They gathered their people around them.
They opened their mouth to speak. And this is the story they told...]\
(else-if: $step2 is 'began talking to animals')[began talking to animals.
They went deep into the forest and learned the language of wolves. They climbed a high mountain and learned the language of birds. They spoke to fish and mice and dragons. They learned so much.
And so when they returned to that $homeadj1, $homeadj2 $home, they realised they had more than enough stories to last the rest of their life, and none of them needed a perfect ending. They gathered their people around them.
They opened their mouth to speak. And this is the story they told...]\
(live: 100ms)[(stop:)<script>$('tw-include[title="PassageEnd"]')[0].scrollIntoView({ behavior: "smooth", block: "start" })</script>]