Since the good old days when our ancestors returned home to their caves and gathered around the hearth after a long, punishing day of hard work, storytelling served as the thread that weaved the different aspects of our existence together and eloquently illustrated our shared experiences and unique perspectives.

From the humble beginnings of campfire tales that first sparked the flames of imagination to the sprawling sagas of today's novels, stories still bind us together and help us make sense of our world. May it be the cinema, a book club, the theater, or even your best friend’s living room, the names change but all of these locations, all of these rooms filled with beautiful tales of heroes and villains, still emit the warmth of their ancestor—the hearth.

Today, I will try to answer a question that might seem simple but is in fact as old as humanity itself. How do narratives shape our lives?

The Evolution of Storytelling

Fast-forward to the present day, and the essence of storytelling remains the same. Although the formats have evolved—scrolls became books, oral traditions became digital podcasts and audiobooks—the core elements of a narrative persist. Every story still unfolds around conflict and resolution, heroes and villains, journeys, and homecomings.

What if I told you to remind me of the name of that one story where a princess is trapped in a high tower until a handsome prince arrives one day, and they fall in love? Some of you might tell me this is Disney’s Tangled. Sure, you’d be right. But not quite. You see, the story I had in mind is an Egyptian fairytale called “The Tale of the Doomed Prince.”  It has it all: a wandering prince, tales of ancient curses, a princess trapped inside a tower, magic and talking animals, evil magicians, prophecies, and most importantly, it ends with the prince and the princess living happily ever after. We assume that last part, though, since the last bit of the scroll is missing. Scroll? Yes. I forgot to mention that “The Tale of the Doomed Prince” is over three thousand years old! Probably even older.

Even in my creative endeavors, such as the upcoming Treasure of Egypt: The Spear & the Scythe the thread of these ancient storytelling traditions continues, albeit woven into a form suited to the modern reader's taste, as the Egyptians of another age told stories about the gods, kings, heroes, and villains. Egyptians and non-Egyptians alike continue the same traditions and still call forth the gods and heroes of Egypt to embark on new journeys that would reignite the spark of the hearth. It doesn’t matter if you are a scribe, a priest, or an author struggling to make ends meet; all are doing the same thing: they are telling a story.

The Psychological Impact of Storytelling

Far beyond the realm of entertainment, storytelling has a profound psychological impact on our brains and our understanding of the world. Our brains are naturally wired to be entranced by narratives. Neurological studies suggest that listening to a story activates various areas of our brains beyond just the language processing parts. It triggers the sensory, experiential, and emotional areas, offering a comprehensive engagement. This implies that when we engage with a narrative, we don't simply process the story; we live it. We feel the hero's despair, relish the antagonist's comeuppance, and sigh in relief at the conflict’s resolution. This immersive capacity of storytelling makes it an effective tool for learning and emotional development. It also makes it an extremely powerful and influential political tool or, as we call it today, propaganda.

As the Lord of The Two Lands (North and South Egypt), he would visit the South at least once a year. The catch was that he would sometimes do it during the flooding season. So Ramesses would be approaching Thebes, the Nile would flood, and the king, I imagine, would say, “Rejoice, peasants! I, your pharaoh and god, have caused the Nile to flood.” The people would spread the rumors of the divine king who controls the flooding of the Nile until two friends would see the tale of Ramesses’ “miracle” carved on the walls of his temples in Thebes. Again, I imagine one friend would tell the other, “Yeah, I’ve heard this story a while back. So, it is true! Our king does control the Nile.”

Now, did Ramesses truly control the flooding of the Nile? Now, did the people actually believe that? We don’t know. But sure, anyone would have a hard time finding people who would support him in trying to overthrow the king who controls the Nile and their crops.

Storytelling as a Tool for Empathy

But narcissistic kings and mad dictators aren’t the only ones using storytelling; it also has the power to teach us empathy. It can transport us into different characters' lives and experiences. It allows us to step into someone else's shoes, experience their hopes and dreams, and view the world from their eyes. When we immerse ourselves in a character's journey, we share their ambition. We experience their struggles and triumphs, their highs and lows, and through this process, we connect with them on a profoundly intimate level. This helps us connect with real people whose lives are vastly different from our own because even if we haven’t lived their lives, we at least experienced a version of it in another story and now can understand the world from their perspective.

This, at its core, is storytelling in its most magical state. It builds bridges of understanding that transcend culture, gender, and ethnicity, making us more empathetic, compassionate beings.

How Stories Influence Our Personal Identity

From a young age, we are molded by these narratives. They become the outline of our story that guides our actions and beliefs. This is why we, consciously or unconsciously, see ourselves as the protagonists of our own stories. It’s quite normal behavior in its normal state, though Main Character Syndrome is definitely a thing. However, think back to your childhood and the stories you would imagine. Were you ever the sidekick in your stories? When I was five, I believed I was an alien planted in Cairo to collect human behavior. I used to believe that my fellow aliens wiped out my memories so the humans wouldn’t discover my truth. But, you see, I was a step ahead of them. I knew the aliens were watching me and decided I wanted to save humanity. This triggered dozens, if not hundreds, of stories I played out in my bedroom when I was five. Of course, I defeated the aliens and was accepted as human at the end of every story. I was the protagonist, after all.

Narrative Therapy: Healing through Stories

Speaking of Main Character Syndrome. The therapeutic potential of storytelling—or narrative therapy—has gained significant recognition. Narrative therapy encourages individuals to become the narrators of their own lives, helping them detach from problematic narratives and construct more positive, empowering ones. This therapeutic approach the healing potential of stories, reminding us of the transformative power that narratives can hold. Each retelling offers a chance to reinterpret events, find new meanings, and rewrite our stories in a more empowering light. It isn’t a coincidence that we still retell stories initially told in ancient times. Why do we still tell stories of Horus, Thor, and Hercules today? Easy, we still need these heroes. But we need modern versions of them to help us process the struggles of our time.

The Role of Storytelling in Society and Culture

Societies and cultures across the globe have been shaped by their stories. Stories are the cultural collective memory. They carry the wisdom, traditions, and shared experiences of a community. They influence social norms, inspire societal changes, and foster a sense of communal identity. They reflect a society's ethos and aspirations, shaping its collective identity and guiding its future.

My most fascinating realization while researching Nefiri’s time period was that we grew up listening to the same stories. Specifically, the stories that help us make sense of the world. We both were told the story of King Narmar, who unified The Two Lands and founded Egypt. We were both told the story of the evil Hyksos who usurped the throne of Egypt and enslaved us in our land until the brave Warrior-Pharaoh Ahmose liberated us from their tyranny. The first story taught Nefiri and me about who we are and where we came from, while the second story gave us a hero, an ideal we could strive toward—the good old moral of never bowing down to bullies no matter how much bigger and stronger they are.

Storytelling in the Digital Age

In our digital age, with the insane complexity of our modern societies, the hunger for narratives is on a different scale. Today, stories are told through various mediums: books, movies, podcasts, video games, and even social media platforms (Think YouTube shorts, Reels, or TikTok). Each format offers unique storytelling possibilities. Despite these technological advancements, the essence of storytelling—the power to engage, inspire, and connect us—remains unchanged.

Don’t believe me? What is the most famous phrase said by every content creator on social media?

“Please don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe.”

In other words: Engage, spread the word, and return.

Conclusion

As we navigate the narrative of our lives, the stories we tell and those we listen to shape our understanding, empathies, and identities. The enduring power of storytelling reminds us of shared humanity because I don’t care who you are or where you are from; we all felt the same sense of dread when Thanos snapped his fingers. Whether it's the tales from ancient civilizations, as in “The Doomed Prince,” a retelling, as in Treasure of Egypt, personal anecdotes we share with friends, or the universal narratives of love, adventure, and discovery that cut across time and space, stories are the threads that connect us all.

As we conclude this exploration of the magic of storytelling, I want to thank you for your time and interest if you are one of the three people who made it this far. I hope this journey into the world of narratives has sparked some reflection on the stories that have shaped your life and continue to influence your narrative. If you’d like to receive updates on future articles and my upcoming debut novel Treasure of Egypt: The Spear & the Scythe do consider signing up for my newsletter. Your interest and support are greatly appreciated, and I look forward to sharing more journeys with you.