Visakhapatnam: Sharing personal experiences through tales will help widen the perspectives of children, believes Roger Jenkins

Visakhapatnam: It does not take a long time to tell a story as sharing personal experiences through tales will help widen the perspectives of children, believes Roger Jenkins. In an interview with The Hans India, the Singapore-based international storyteller tells that tales play an imperative part in shaping children's mind. "Sharing real time experiences in the form of stories with children will bring in a world of difference," he says.

Founder of Federation of Asian Storytellers, Roger Jenkins says that he is pleased that Indian schools are also considering storytelling as a teaching strategy because lessons can be more alive and memorable for children.

"I talk-you listen teaching methodology is redundant as teachers should include more interactive forums to communicate with their students and make the classroom experience absorbing," says the storyteller, who has been into the storytelling field for over two decades.

An English and drama teacher by profession, Roger Jenkins says that he is the happiest person for making the right career choice. Born in Singapore and grew up in England, Roger Jenkins moved back to Singapore to add value to his aspirations as a storyteller. When asked whether the storytelling is a lucrative career option for the younger generation, the passionate storyteller says that the joy of narrating a story is incomparable.

"Because I am sharing messages, making people smile and think in terms of their own well-being. Finally, I get paid pretty well," says Roger Jenkins. Referring to the Japanese concept 'Ikigai' on how to be happy, Roger Jenkins says, "One, I do a job that I am good at. Two, I do a job that makes me happy.

Three, I do a job that is worthwhile because I am connecting with people and also delivering a message." The storyteller says that he is aware of the fact that he is not cut for a sales job at a store because he could not place his heart in it.

"When I share stories, I narrate stories that are important to me and moved me at some point of time in my life," he adds. Attractive posters, a wooden spatula, a small bottle and a puppet turn into the storyteller's props as he feels that props are effective tools to connect with the younger crowd. About India, he says that the colours, sound, food and people over here attract him a lot.

"I made several trips to India since 1981. It has always been a great experience for me here. Though I have been to Chennai, Coimbatore and other parts of the country, this is my maiden trip to Visakhapatnam. People in India are warm, friendly and always willing to talk. Look forward to relishing Indian cuisine again. It is sure going to be a great learning experience for me in Vizag," he shares.

On the support extended to the Vizag Junior Literary Fest from various quarters in which Roger Jenkins is narrating a story, he says, "Though we do get support for art in Singapore, it is a different story in India altogether as I could see good political support for the event and the government here is actively involved in taking such festivals forward," he concludes.