Meryl's Shareable Parables
The truth about Truth, and a story about Story
A SpeakStrong rewrite of an Israeli folk tale

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Birdie sends Truth on a mission
Truth lived deep in the forest. I’d say he lived there alone, but in truth, Truth was never alone. He spent his days and nights speaking to the flowers and the animals and the trees. They never tired of Truth’s wisdom.

One day, after listening to Truth speak for many hours, Birdie told him, “Truth, you must share your wisdom with the people of the village. They have lost their appreciation for you and need to meet you. You must remind them of who you are.”

Truth heard truth in Birdie’s words and set out to the village.

Story gets a mission too
Later that day, Birdie visited another part of the forest where Story lived. Story was no more alone in her wilderness that Truth was in his. The flowers and the animals and the trees listened to Story with rapt attention. When Story finished spinning a tale, Birdie told her, “Story, once upon a time long ago, the people of the village spoke of you often. They shared you in the evenings before they went to bed. They enjoyed you throughout their days. But for many years, Taskmaster took over the town, and the villagers forgot about you. Those who do remember you have been told you are evil. They need you to remind them of who you are so they can live happily ever after.”

Inspired by the possibility for a happy ending, Story set out to the village.

Truth is not well-received
Truth was the first to arrive. Although Truth knew the villagers had forgotten him, he was still surprised by his reception. Several people were unable to see Truth at all. When they realized they had collided with Truth, they ran away in horror. Some watched Truth from a distance. Others became angered and denounced him. Some listened to Truth simply to argue.

A few felt a deep sense of recognition. They fell to their knees before Truth. They touched his feet in adoration. Truth was uncomfortable with the displays, but spoke openly to anyone who would listen. Truth was speaking to a small group in the courtyard when Story arrived.

Story steals the show
Story’s reception was different. While several villagers rejected her, most quickly found themselves caught up in Story’s tales and legends. Even a few of Truth’s listeners found themselves drawn more to Story than Truth.

Truth wondered what the truth was about Story. Why were so many drawn to her? Truth asked Story to teach him. Drunk with attention, Story saw no reason to reveal her secrets to Truth. Story answered Truth’s questions with stories that Truth knew contained no truth.

The following day, Truth and Story spoke in the courtyard again. A few of Truth’s students did not attend because they had been ridiculed by other villagers for listening to Truth. Others moved closer to Story than Truth. Story’s following continued to grow.

Something shifts
This continued for a number of weeks. But then a curious thing happened. Gradually, one by one, more and more villagers moved closer and closer to Truth’s group. And Story’s following diminished. Truth asked a newcomer why he had moved. The newcomer replied, “Story’s words are inviting. But they are empty. It took a while to realize that, and now that I have, I want to hear from you, Truth.”

So Truth continued to speak. But Truth wondered how he could reach more of the villagers.

And Story wanted to know how to get her following back. Truth wanted to listen to Story, and Story was ready to listen to Truth.

Truth and Story join forces
So Truth taught Story about truth, and Story taught Truth about story. They sat together in the courtyard, speaking in concert. Sometimes Story would talk more. Sometimes Truth did. The whole village listened attentively. They enjoyed the stories in Truth’s words. They listened for the truth in Story’s words. By adding story to truth and truth to story, more and more people were able to hear and understand.

Truth was thrilled that people now heard the truth. Story was thrilled that the village would live happily ever after.

Birdie moves on
And Birdie smiled and flew back into the forest. Birdie had messages to deliver to Right and Wrong, to Faith and Inquiry, to Masculine and Feminine, to Think and Feel, to Work and Play, and to many other forest dwellers. Each of them lived deep in different parts of the forest and spent their days talking to the flowers and the animals and the trees.

Birdie had other plans for them.


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Meryl Runion and Speak Strong (SpeakStrong) provides Power Phrases (PowerPhrases) and other tools to help you improve communication skills at work and at home. You can read more about her at www.speakstrong.com.

Meryl is the author of six books on communication that have sold over a quarter million copies worldwide, including Speak Strong, PowerPhrases!, How to Use PowerPhrases, Perfect Phrases for Managers and Supervisors, and How to Say It: Performance Reviews. You can reach her at 719-684-2633, or by email:

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