Alan! Good to see you back! What a great post and story!

Funny that you mention stories.  A close friend and I were both going through our own separate fairly serious issues yesterday. We took turns coaching each other.

I was dealing with someone who was kept trying to tempt me into a situation I did not want to be a part of. My friend told me a story about the 2-year-old she used to babysit, who would ask her question after question to keep her from leaving. We started calling it the "What is" story because he would ask "Manisha, what is this?" A flower. "What is that?" And on and on.

In relation to her issue, I told her a story that happened to me this week about a woman who would not let go when I told her my final number for an item I was selling on ebay. After telling the potential buyer twice she asked me if that was my final number. Yes. Then she went on to counteroffer 2 more times and told me I was hostile after I held to my number for the fourth time. What the...?

You know, I think we use stories all the time and are not always aware of it. Whether it is to coach a friend or teach a lesson, or or appeal to people to influence and motivate them, we have it in us.

Thank you for the excellent post and the reminder! Woo hoo! Alan is back!