Decky Does a Bronco is the tragi-comic story of a gang of nine-year-old boys who spend the summer of 1983 Broncoing swings in Girvan; on the west coast of Scotland. Broncoing (kicking the swing over the bar) is the social bench mark and a dangerous mixture of vandalism and sport.Decky is the smallest of the group and the only one who cannot Bronco. His friend David remembers the event of that summer; which at first seem hilarious but ultimately remain painful; as the boys are faced with an unthinkable tragedy and are thrown into a restless adulthood.
#3297863 in eBooks 2002-03-11 2002-03-11File Name: B00AO4BVBO
Review
3 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Laura distills the essence of Storytelling;-)By Michael D. McCarty"Listeners do not hear the story that I tell.....The listeners images are provoked by the storytellers words; but they do not come from outside. The images arise from each listener. Each persons story; each time it is heard; is totally unique and fresh." This is one of many wonderful insights and observations that Laura makes about our craft; our art. Reading this book is like listening at a storytelling session. Just like that quote; you find yourself conjuring up images and stories from your own experience prodded by Lauras telling.Im one of those people who puts those little colored tabs in a book for things that I want to remember and reference. This book has bunches of little tabs. The mix of folk fairy tale; personal story; insights and `sudden stories is invigorating. I especially like the chapter on Sudden Stories; stories told when you find yourself performing in a situation of distress; at a school in the midst of a racial crisis or you arrive and find that a popular student has recently died. Its at these times that the right stories comes to you and demand to be told.Laura tells from the heart and in this book she shares from her heart. Ive had the pleasure to meet her adopted son; Ismael Beah; author of his own amazing book; "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier". She tells a bit of how story brought them together and the divine ripples that have ensued.I loves this book;)Michael D. McCartyStorytellerHavemouthwillrunit.com2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Helping to Save Traditional Oral StorytellingBy Enid Davis; retired Library DirectorLaura Simms. Our Secret Territory: The Essence of Storytelling. Sentient Publications; 2011. Ms.Simms world-wide experiences with various spiritual teachers and international storytelling venues has led her to write a book that should be read and widely used to promote storytelling by every storyteller and storytelling activist alike. (Yes; today; the art of traditional oral storytelling needs activists!) Although our employment tracks were so different; the way in which she describes the relationships and the roles of the teller and listener reflect my experiences exactly. The love I receive from my audiences keep me addicted to this activity; past my retirement from full-time work - and she knows and understands. And it feels good to read her deep; eloquent passages. If you need ammunition to convince educators; library administrators; parents; etc. that traditional oral storytelling cannot be left to die; you will find the words in Our Secret Territory. Ms. Simms weaves a long fairy tale; brief fairy tales; quotes; and personal stories into her book to convince how powerful - how medicinal like - how life affirming - storytelling can be. Her insistence that the teller must listen as closely as the participant is most convincing. Her personal stories are exotic and politically charged. Although several chapters were first written in the mid-1990s and then edited for this later publication; the book is needed now more than ever. Not only is it difficult to attract school-age children to storytelling programs; most elementary schools (In California; at least); dont have school librarians and many graduate library programs are not offering storytelling courses any more. This book is a gem. The books layout is elegant. It is a shot in the arm for veteran tellers. and a passionate call-to-arms for new recruits. It also works as a memoir of a compassionate and adventurous life of a modern day storyteller. Enid Davis; Retired Library Director and Storyteller1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A great gift to oral storytelling.By Caleb WinebrennerEvery once in a while; a book comes along that elucidates all of the accumulated wisdom its audience works with. In leadership; that book was The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. In oral storytelling; that book is Laura Simmsrsquo;s Our Secret Territory: The Essence of Storytelling. Living in a word where ldquo;storytellingrdquo; is a buzzword; Simms offers a ray of sunlight through an open window. She is fresh; tender; and heartfelt. Her books is to be read slowly; which is why Irsquo;ve taken the better part of a year to read the book and work on the review.Like my comparison to 7 Habits above; Our Secret Territory isnrsquo;t just something to read through and move on with your life -- or your storytelling craft. When I read the chapter ldquo;On Lamplightersrdquo; I rediscovered in myself the sense of purpose I feel in being a storyteller. This was no accident. Simms calls us not to simply be good with language; but to be good people; good at listening and observing life. Naturally; she does this with the lyricism and delight that has made her so respected among storytellers of all stripes.There is a great deal of mysticism in her writing; and admittedly that may turn away some readers. That said; her mysticism is firmly rooted in the experience of performing and sharing stories. She wrestles with questions about the relationships between a teller and a listener; or the mysteries of what is going on in a readerrsquo;s mind; far more than most people. In so doing; she moves from ordinary observation; to extraordinary insight. To tell a story is not the same as speaking. To listen to a story is not the same as hearing someone talk. Indeed; worlds are created. Veritable ones; for the moment the story lasts. We emerge different; and ultimately better; having dwelt with a story.Laura Simms has an imagination percolated with stories. In this sense; she is what many storytellers aspire to be: someone with a tale always waiting in the wings; even when we speak of everyday events. For Simms; and for me; this hinges on one thing: Listening.I admit; a big part of my delay in finishing the book was that I couldnrsquo;t bring myself to read the last chapter; ldquo;On Listeningrdquo; for a long time. I had no idea why. Then; two events conspired to draw me back to Simmsrsquo;s book. First; I made the conscious decision to tell more wisdom tales. The decision came from needing to be more authentic with my own voice as a storyteller. Second; in both my work and my personal life; it was pointed out to me that I wasnrsquo;t deeply listening. There is a difference between knowing how to listen and making it a life practice. Throughout Simms writing; it is evident that she has practiced listening for hours; and out of doing so can speak with great warmth and authenticity about our art from. In a word; she demonstrates that storytelling is sacred because it requires profound listening.Irsquo;ll leave you with a quote: ldquo;We have lost touch with the time when an entire village hung on story; when every aspect of life was presented; questioned; and given meaning by story; music; dance; art; architecture; and metaphor. But we still possess that common bond of existence whose continuous story we share with everyone. This is the source and power of the revival in storytelling today. The renaissance of oral tradition fills a basic need; it is as nourishing as good foodrdquo; (p. 63).If yoursquo;re curious about what storytelling really is; not as a work choice; but as a calling to a certain kind of life; Our Secret Territory will be your steadfast guide through the inner terrain of discovery.