WEEK 35 - How important is a muuu?

PETRA

When talking about storytelling, one could exclude jokes. Most people like jokes but don’t consider them stories. They are short, sharp, and fun. Jokes are being told to cause someone laughter. What if there is more than just the funny punchline?

Definition says that a story or narrative is a connected series of events told through words (written or spoken), imagery (still and moving), body language, performance, music, or any other form of communication. Jokes tell stories. And they do it in a specific way. It is important to realise that. 

Some of us are really great joke tellers, but some others are not. Why is that?

First of all, some people just don’t remember jokes. Even though they are short and with clear meaning. Some others remember and tell. However they are not successful with their intention to make the listeners laugh. Let’s look at this joke we have heard in our class.

Muuu, said a cow.

Interesting! I was about to say exactly the same thing, said another one.

Is it funny? Maybe it’s missing something. Let’s try again.

Muuu, said a cow to another one.

The other responded: Interesting! I was about to say exactly the same thing.

Well, getting better, but still feels a bit odd. Next try!

Muuu, said a cow to another one.

Interesting! responded the other one. I was about to say exactly the same.

This one was fun!

It is only a few words and their order can make a big difference in the saying. This could be one of the reasons some people are not good at telling jokes. They remember the story, the point, and they are not ashamed to talk in front of people. They just didn't find the right way to tell the story.

In my opinion we usually don't think about the way we tell jokes or other stories. And when listeners are bored or not interested we just quit. We see ourselves as not talented and don’t try anymore. Now it’s obvious telling jokes is something that one can learn. Practice in front of listeners or readers helps to find the essentials for making a good joke.

Mentioning the essentials, there is more to help good joke tellers.

Have you ever heard a cow talking? But for sure you have heard a cow mooing. Good joke teller transmits the listeners to the grassland when saying the joke. How? By using proper voices fitting the story and the characters.

The Cow

The bored cow

The 'too much' cow

Even though czech cows don’t muuu but buuu, listener understands the situation. Changing voice and imitation help to show the setting of the story or introduce the characters. Also it is a tool to pull listeners into the action.