This game demonstrates that no single person has a complete picture of an event or story. Sometimes we need a team to get a more complete version of what happened. What's occurrin'? (I am thinking now of Nessa in Gavin and Stacy if you want the reference1)

I often use The Storyteller's Chair game to review a workshop or training day I have delivered, but it is equally relevant and fun for remembering a story or a film plot for example. I am grateful for Roger Greenaway of Reviewing.Com for showing me this activity on one of his reviewing training days!

Here's how to play:

You need enough chairs for everyone to sit in and one chair is designated the storyteller's chair. The person chosen to go first sits in it.

The person sitting in the storyteller's chair starts giving a detailed account of what happened or in this case the stonecutter story you all heard. 

If any listener thinks the storyteller has omitted any detail, they change places with the storyteller and continue until challenged - and so on. If at any point you want to speed things up, you can (if this facilitator's privilege is claimed in advance) jump ahead in time and continue from a new starting point.

And remember, the story or event you are reviewing is just how it was then... it will never be quite the same ever again! Each moment is unique, and that is one of the secrets buddha can teach us, awareness and non-attachment are parts of the fabric of happiness.

Once you have remembered, put back, the story in your minds as a team, you will probably feel more confident... not only of retelling the story, but also of speaking with authority and sureness while telling it!