Tales that bind

In every family, stories woven through food, memories, and love keep generations connected

- Vandana Kanoria

Every family has a story to tell. Stories lie nestled within the taste of our mothers’ cooking.

They turn up unexpectedly in old sepia toned photographs. Sometimes they whisper, sometimes they shout. They bind us together in shared experiences and memories. In every culture, storytelling has been an intrinsic part of human communication. From ancient myths etched on cave walls, to modern-day novels and podcasts, movies, television shows and commercials that grab us with product stories, all are but different ways of storytelling. Most great songs are stories. Our memories overflow with tales of first loves, second chances, lessons learned, we chuckle about funny moments. We shake our heads at the things we can't believe we did or said.

We tell stories for countless reasons: to delight and disarm, to comfort and teach, to keep our pasts and those who lived in them, alive. In the enchanting world of childhood, storytelling for kids holds a special place, despite intrusions of the internet and social media. Family narratives serve as a bridge between generations. They preserve and celebrate a family’s unique story. Grandparents, more than anyone else, are the keepers of family stories — their magic and mystery are all about hearing the voice of loved ones.