Home > Work > The Truth About Stories: A Native Narrative
1 " you have to be careful with the stories you tell. And you have to watch out for the stories that you are told. "
― Thomas King , The Truth About Stories: A Native Narrative
2 " What about human beings? said the animals. Do youthink we need human beings? Why not? said the Twins. And as quick as they could theright-handed Twin created women, and the left-handedTwin created men.They don't look too bright, said the animals. We hopethey won't be a problem.Don't worry, said the Twins, you guys are going to getalong just fine. "
3 " The truth about stories is that that's all we are. "
4 " "Stories are wondrous things. And they are dangerous." "
5 " And cranky old Jacques Derrida notwithstanding, we do love our dichotomies. "
6 " Would it have made a difference?This is the question we always ask after we have given up. "
7 " Perhaps we shouldn't be displeased with the 'environmental ethics' we have or the 'business ethics' or the 'political ethics' or any of the myriad of other codes of conduct suggested by our actions. After all, we've created them. We've created the stories that allow them to exist and flourish. They didn't come out of nowhere. They didn't arrive from another planet. "
8 " What if the creation story in Genesis had featured a flawed deity who was understanding and sympathetic rather than autocratic and rigid? Someone who, in the process of creation, found herself lost from time to time and in need of advice, someone who was willing to accept a little help with the more difficult decisions? What if the animals had decided on their own names? What if Adam and Eve had simply been admonished for their foolishness? I love you, God could have said, but I’m not happy with your behaviour. Let’s talk this over. Try to do better next time. What kind of a world might we have created with that kind of story? "
