How to Tell a Story and Other Essays

Why the Humorous Story Can Only Be Told by Americans

I do not claim that I can tell a story as it ought to be told. I only claim to know how a story ought to be told.

There are several kinds of stories, but only one difficult kind-the humorous. The humorous story is American, the comic story is English, the witty story is French. The humorous story depends for its effect upon the manner of the telling; the comic story and the witty story upon the matter.

The humorous story may wander around as much as it pleases, but the comic and witty stories must be brief and end with a point. The humorous story bubbles gently along, the others burst.

The teller of the comic story does not slur the nub; he shouts it at you-every time. And when he prints it, he italicizes it, puts some whooping exclamation-points after it, and sometimes explains it in a parenthesis. All of which is very depressing, and makes one want to renounce joking and lead a better life.

Get Your Copy Now