He.—Do you know, I often wonder why people do not cultivate the art of story-telling. It seems to me that if one would entertain one's friends now and then with a good story, it would enliven what would otherwise be a very dull occasion.
She.—Story-tellers—good story-tellers—are probably born, not made; and yet, the person who is not especially gifted in this art, may succeed in entertaining his listeners, provided that he has wit enough to remember the "point," and to couch his language so that the dénouement is not surmised, for surprise is an important element in the telling of a story.
He.—Occasionally, I hear a good story, and one that I wish to remember, but I can never trust myself to repeat it for fear that I shall commit the flagrant sin of missing the "point"; and that omission would, of course, be unpardonable.
She.—I think you might become a very successful reconteur, if you would give some attention to the art in question. Of course, the important thing to remember is, what are the essentials, to omit all unnecessary details, to keep the listener in suspense and, above all, not to omit the point. We can not all be Charles Lambs nor Sydney Smiths, but we can each have our little store of "funnycisms" from which to draw when the occasion is opportune, or the story relevant.
He.—Well, I suppose we must decide that one must be a good listener at all hazards, and that one must find something of interest in the conversation of others even though the subject may be "salads" when it should be "suffrage," for example. Shall we make "Be a good listener at all hazards" Golden Rule Number VIII.?
She.—Yes, I suppose so; but if we could all remember and practice our other golden rules, we should not need to add this one to the list.
He.—Let me see whether I can enumerate them.
Golden Rule Number 1.—Avoid unnecessary details.
2.—Do not ask question number two until number one has been answered, nor be too curious nor too disinterested; that is, do not ask too many questions nor too few.
3.—Do not interrupt another while he is speaking.
4.—Do not contradict another, especially when the subject under discussion is of trivial importance.
5.—Do not do all the talking; give your tired listener a chance.
6.—Be not continually the hero of your own story; and on the other hand, do not leave your story without a hero.
7.—Choose subjects of mutual interest.
And our latest acquisition, Golden Rule Number VIII., Be a good listener.
She.—You have done remarkably well to remember all these rules.