Stories of real or romantic love between the sexes have their strong appeal in middle adolescence. There may be an interest in these before this period or it may appear later. Such stories are usually for reading, but some of the best for telling are: “Ruth, the Gleaner”; “John Alden and Priscilla”; “Evangeline”; “The Silver Girl”; “Love Stories of Great Missionaries,” by Belle M. Brain; “The Three Weavers,” by Annie Fellows Johnson.
14. VOCATIONAL STORIES
These are the stories that will aid in preparing young people in choosing their life-work, or that will inspire them with the highest ideals in their work. Such stories may be found among all types. For example, the fairy story, “Boots and His Brothers,” shows the value of being prepared; the Bible story, “When Jesus Was Lost,” shows when Jesus found his life-work; “The Legend of St. Christopher” reveals ideals of service, and such legendary or historical stories as “Horatius at the Bridge,” “King Bruce and the Spider,” and “Dick Whittington” illustrate the rewards of service. Biographies are almost all vocational. This vocational interest, either clearly revealed or simply implied, may transform a story, otherwise distasteful to young people, into one full of interest, inspiration, and profit.
15. INSTRUCTIONAL STORIES
These are stories that are invented simply for the purpose of imparting instruction in some branch of science or art. The story-form and story-interest is taken advantage of to produce interest in the desired trade, craft, occupation, or science. Such stories must be used with care. But if used moderately and with tact they may prove of educational and even vocational value.
16. HUMOROUS STORIES
Variety is of great importance in story-telling, as in all ethical instruction and educational training. Life demands variety. Moral life is full of variety, vitality, and humor. Nor need we fear to bring these qualities into story-telling. Humor is leaven. Without it ethical teaching becomes flat. Laughter too is good for the world. It is a tonic to the emotions. “It does us all good to laugh if there is no smear or smirch in the laugh; fun sets the blood flowing more freely in the veins, and loosens the strained cords of feeling and thought; the delicious shock of surprise at every ‘funny spot’ is a kind of electric treatment for the nerves.” (Sara Cone Bryant.) Laughter is tone to the spirit and inspiration to fresh effort. It is a sign too, of broadening imagination and sympathies. As the nonsense and play-story are good for the child, so the wholesomely humorous story is good for the youth and the adult.