How about a good rainy-day (or snow around here),family activity? This is a variation on the "Talking Stick," a very ancient human speaking tradition. In Homer's Iliad, warrior kings pass the ribboned staff, giving one another room to speak. Native Americans still pass the Talking Stick from storyteller to storyteller.
In any event, use a fork. It's only a symbol, but a potent one. You can say, "This fork, although it appears ordinary, it gives the user storyteller power. It gives the gift of the silver tongue. While you hold this fork, memories will flow through you. While you hold this fork, everyone will listen."
Mom and Dad, and grandparents if they're around, can model how it's done for the kids. Try stories about your childhood. The kids will love that. Or about how someone (great-grandparents, for instance) had quirks, funny sayings, or adventures. Or you can tell stories about your own children. How they behaved as tempestuous toddlers and the origins of their pet names. Or maybe what happened the day they were born. Once the kids realize that telling a story like this is simply remembering things and talking about them in their own words, they'll jump in. Here are some topics to get you started:
Friendships, fears, fights, Sunday school antics, pets, trips, getting into trouble, sports, adventures, embarrassing times, sad times, bring lost, nature, tricks, school tales, local heroes, survival, accidents, and illnesses.
Oh, and one other thing. Applaud as each person finishes, no matter what he or she says. Short story, long story, impressive story, or simply a wisp of recollection -- doesn't matter. Applaud anyway.
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