Sharing Stories
Scott Limbard
And then we’re gone, off to do a great many different things. At that point, we’ll all probably have a romanticized memory of this spring, coupled with the idea that the end came too quickly. I’m guessing that we’ll all feel a kind of regret that we couldn’t extend our last term indefinitely. In any event, hopefully this summer there’ll be better things to do than sitting around thinking about Dartmouth. (It’ll just feel like an off-term anyways.)
I’d like to suggest a new summer pastime that doesn’t involve dreaming about the glory days. I call it the story game. (Yes, the title needs work.) I promise this game will change your life if you participate in good spirit—going at it sarcastically will only make it seem petty and superficial (which, if that happens, it might actually be). Anyway, by continuing to read this article, you are hereby obligated to play this game at least once in the next two days. Consider it a challenge.
Like the title, the game itself is quite simple. You need at least two people. Person A asks Person B: “Tell me a story about [insert topic here].” Person B then tells a story about that topic. Simple, right? A couple clarifications: the topic can be an object (a fire hydrant, a food, etc.), a time (winter, last year, etc.), or pretty much anything. It just needs to be general. The story doesn’t have to be funny. It doesn’t have to be exciting or inspiring. It just needs to be true. (Of course, there’s never anything wrong with hearing a funny, exciting, inspiring story. That’s just a pretty high bar to set for this game, which would quickly make it difficult to participate.)
At this point, I imagine this game sounds really boring. (Ah, ye of little faith.) Truthfully though, that thought isn’t totally off-base: playing the story game isn’t as consistently exciting as some other things (think: base jumping, chipotle tabasco sauce, Sheba, etc.) However, the point of the story game isn’t to get the adrenaline pumping. The point is to fill an otherwise unscheduled moment in your life with a bit of fun. (Incidentally, it’s also a great way to get to know other people better. Plus one point!)
I taught the story game to three friends of mine at the beginning of this term. One of them, Person A, asked me to tell her a story about a bike helmet. (Random? Yes, but those are the rules.) As it turns out, I have very bland stories about bike helmets. Once, the purple plastic shell covering my helmet’s protective foam part separated while I was riding. It floated away in the wind, twirling around as I kept speeding down the road, I had a good deal of trouble finding it. That’s pretty much my whole story. Not that great, yeah? True, BUT, my telling that short story prompted my friend to remember a GREAT bike helmet story from his early elementary school years! (After biking halfway to school, my friend learned from a crossing guard that he had forgotten his helmet. Realizing his mistake, he broke down and started to cry because he had ridden all that way without his helmet [scary], and then because he was going to be late for school [because he obviously had to go back home to get the helmet]. After walking his bike back home, his mom gave him a ride to school so he wouldn’t be late. Fantastic story—very endearing.
So, you see, the story game can bring you to unexpected destinations. Now, remember: you’re obligated. Do it. Two days. Think back to the last time you met someone and within two hours had asked him/her to tell you a random story about his/her life. If you have already done this, congratulations. If you haven’t, give it a shot!
Now, to those non-graduating members of the Dartmouth student body: you get to use this fantastic pastime in the company of people you already know. (In fact, try asking your best friend first: that’s the easiest way to start playing the game.) For those of you heading in completely new directions, you can use the story game to get to know totally new people! I wish you the best of luck, and I predict this game will serve you well.
Though my specific advice is to play this game, the real message I’d like to convey concerns the bigger idea of making the most of Dartmouth. Think for a moment about the opportunities available to you here. Realize that you may never again be surrounded by such a high concentration of amazingly fantastic people as you are now. Take advantage of this good fortune, however you see fit! Today is the time to reach out, try something new, and savor the results. Friendships made here can last a lifetime.
