1. Why do we want or need stories?

- Personally, I would consider myself as a bookworm or a type of guy who finds an

immense pleasure in reading. Why do we need stories? I think stories have an
important role to each and every one regardless the genre or type of it. Let’s say
stories for kids, this one is important for each stories have this “moral” or “lesson”
at the very of end it, and with that said, stories helps us learn. Another one
important role of a story is that it can be passed through one person to
another and it can be voiced out around the world. Great example is
Biographies or autobiographies. Stories like this, someone would be able to know
information and knowledge about someone by just reading. Moreover, Stories
are great source of entertainment, I would say that most of the people read
because of the idea that they’re going to another dimension of life or world. It is
the world that the author and only you know. And I think it’s magical.

2. Why are stories to be found through all ages, across all cultures, from the most
‘primitive’ to the most ‘developed’?

-  I think it’s because stories are universal. The text of a certain story might ages
but the context and words from it remains and they are still important regardless
the cultures, language and history of it because there would be no evolution of
stories without them. And also they are still founded because they are a great
source and key of information.

3. Why are storytellers among the first to be silenced by totalitarian regimes? Are they a
threat? To what? How? 

- I think they are threatened. Stories and voices are powerful especially to people
who are being oppressed by a wrong system such as this regime of
totalitarianism. They are threatened with the fact that telling or showing their evil
doings would ‘cause them to lose their power. Since totalitarian’s goal is to
perpetuate its own existence, they are threatened that storytellers would be able
to showcase their real identity to others.

4. What happens to us when we hear a story?  

- Sometimes hearing a story can caused happiness and sadness to us, well it
depends on the story itself. But most of the time, when we hear a story, we feel
connected, we started to care, we value the words of the speaker we start to be
an empathetic kind of person.

5. On a personal level, are there stories that have moved and changed us? What’s the
story about?  
- Of course. Personally, there’s this one story that changed my perspective in life.
The title of the story is “Tuesday’s with Morrie” it was a well written story. It
was all about a student and his dying professor. Every Tuesday they have this
one on one talk session where Morrie the old professor shares cool anagrams
and lessons to Mitch (a journalist and old student of Morrie). Each Tuesday, they
have these different topics about life, culture, marriage, money and the likes. It
made me realize that life is worth to live and we should treasure the real value of
it by doing simple and not complicated things.

6. Why do we connect with stories from childhood right through to the end of our days? 

- I am a very nostalgic person and I love preserving memories through writing with
my journals. I think we still connect the stories from our childhood up to now
because sometimes we’re just skeptical about the present. We have this “what
Ifs” or questions about the things we’ve done that leads us to this moment. Or
maybe, we’re just thankful that we experienced all great moments from our
childhood days for we are aware that we only to these things once in a lifetime.

7. Are there stories from an early age that have stayed with us until now? 

- Yes, at least for me. I am firm believer of great things and great moments will still
remain as long as you value the real meaning of it. So with the stories,
sometimes these stories became as our inspiration to do things from the present.

8. Has a story ever changed the way we think about something/someone? 

- Yes, it is possible. Sometimes, stories can be an eye-opener to someone. For

example, The story of Jose Rizal, Noli Me Tangere. It served as an eye-opener
to all Filipinos about all the evil things Spaniards did to us.

9. Has a story ever changed the way we think about ourselves? 

- Yes. Since stories are bridge to other the other world. I would say that an author
can influenced someone especially about his or herself. Personally, this is a lame
example but since I am a huge fan of Harry Potter by J.K Rowling, there were
times were I think that I have this hidden magic inside me which soon to be
discovered. Or the story of The Little Prince, I am a very awkward and aloof guy
but It thought me that relationship to others matters and make life worth living.

10. Can we imagine a life or world without stories? What would that be like? 

- I don’t think so. A world without stories is a like a song without a melody and
lyrics for me. In short, story gives color to the world. Everyone has their own
stories and these stories are worth to be shared to inspire people. It may not be
in a written way but it can be orally.