Oasis -- my pals for CD Duplication . . .

Frog and Friends CD

& Mary Garrett

www.storytellermary.com 

Stories Make the World Go Around

CD Available from Mary, Borders Mid-Rivers, CD Baby, DigStation,  and iTunes.

To hear a short snippet in mp3 format, click on the underlined titles)

From Aesop to Uncle Remus, stories have been a way to entertain as well as illustrate life lessons and simplify complex situations. Stories delight children and adults alike, and they enhance critical thinking and problem solving.  This CD  presents some favorite stories that both entertain and enlighten. I hope you'll enjoy them as much as I do.   More details and mp3 links below.

1. •Each CD is $10.00 U.S. and $2.00 for shipping and handling to anywhere in the continental U.S.  Add $0.50 shipping for each additional CD.
   

2. •Also available
   Little chap books of father’s stories, collected and edited by Mary Garrett
   $10 each or all 3 for $25    (See below or on order form for details)
   
   

Click for Order form.pdf or if you have questions, please e-mail me.

Courage and Wisdom:

Stories Make the World Go Around

By Mary Garrett

To hear a short snippet in mp3 format, click on the underlined titles)

1) Real or Make Believe (5 min.)

All good stories contain truth, and this one actually happened. My father was my first storyteller, and I joyously carry his gift of story along with my kindergarten teacher's gift of respect as I invite listeners into the world of make-believe.

2) Smell of the Bread (2 min.)

This story can be found in many variations. I have heard it as Jewish and Arabic in origin. On a flight from Istanbul, a Chinese medical student claimed it as Chinese. Stories travel light and need no passport.

3) Innkeeper's Wise Daughter (11 min.)

Riddles within riddles, and a love story. I've seen it attributed as Jewish or European (and I loved it on Corinne Stavish's tape).

4) Mary Culhane (8 min.)

I told this scary story at an Irish festival in St. Charles. Afterward, a woman asked if she could buy it on CD, which put this project on my "to do" list. Now if I could just find that woman . . .

5) King Solomon (2 min.)

Shall we live forever? Karen Chace found this story of King Solomon's toughest judgment -- a bit of perspective on life, wisdom, and coffee.

6) Scheherazade (10 min.)

The frame story of 1001 Arabian Nights. Scheherazade became my hero the first time I heard her story, and I've loved every version since. Could stories save the kingdom? The world? I hope so!

7) King Solomon (1 min.)

This wonderful Sufi tale is my mantra on difficult days. I first heard it as told by Doug Lipman, and it was my farewell story when I retired from teaching.

8) Minstrel Queen short (10 min.)

This story is also known as "The Lute Player." I learned it for my friend Susan's wedding. The tiny bit of singing in it is only possible because of the "Singing for People Who've Been Asked Not To" class at COCA (Center of Creative Arts).

9) Heaven and Hell (3 min.)

I used to tell this story early in the school year to set a tone of cooperation for my classes. In the Chinese story the problem is very long chopsticks.

10. 10)Broken Fan (4 min.)
    

A Spanish story remembered from high school, a favorite at the Renaissance Faire.

11. 11) Black Bubble Gum (13 min.)
    

Inspired by a John Steinbeck story, told with help from Brianna, Hannah, and Josiah.

Praise for Courage and Wisdom:
Stories Make the World Go Around

We absolutely love your cd! The music and nature sounds add a very nice touch! Well done!

--  Annie Gross (and Hannah, Josiah, and Marc)

I really enjoyed your CD. Your voice is not pretentious, but is in the natural, conversational tone that makes good storytelling. I felt like I had sat with you for the time and just had a "talk." Congratulations, you have a created a product to be proud of for a long time.

--

Mike Anderson

Thanks to

Mike Anderson at http://www.dulcimerguy.com for the use of his music,

1. •"Simple Gifts" and "The Minstrel Boy."
   
   

2. •Mike Ehrhard at Sidetrack Recording Studios, 314-432-0447
   
   

3. •Elizabeth Ellis for holding me in the light through this project and to many other storytelling friends for help and support
   
   

4. •My former students for listening and commenting. One young man asked, "Are all your stories about women?" Not all, but I do love strong women stories and tell them often. Not only is feminism not a dirty word, but it's also not new. There have always been strong and capable women, and thank goodness for that!
   
   
   

1. •Each CD is $10.00 U.S., and $2.00 for shipping and handling to anywhere in the continental U.S.; add $0.50 shipping for each additional CD.
   

2. •Also available
   Little chap books of father’s stories, collected and edited by Mary Garrett
   
   $10 each or all 3 for $25  plus $2.50 shipping
   
   Bedtime Stories by Daddy John (Fussner) 35 pages
   "Sweet dreams," stories of fairies and nature
   
   Stories from the Land of Make Believe by Daddy John (Fussner) 53 pages
   Dough Doughy and friends build a church, face a blizzard, enjoy life.
   
   Homespun Stories from Uncle John 32 pages
   Old time tall tales in dialect: mosquitoes big enough to eat a car, a mixed-up hen, pet skunks
   
   

Click for Order form.pdf or if you have questions, please e-mail me.

Oasis -- my pals for CD Duplication . . .

"Mailbox Frogs"

-- from October 2009  

Missouri Conservationist

(whose agents gave advice on frog care)

I love the photo of the tree frog on the cover of the August issue! The contrast between the bright green back and the dark front of the frog is quite striking.

I have many of these little singers by my house, lovely to hear each night. They are starting to show up in my mailbox, I’m not sure how. I take them in my wet hands and introduce them to a suitable tree, reminding them that they are tree frogs, not “mailbox frogs.”

-- Mary Garrett, St. Peters