Story Harvest

No one has done more for the art of storytelling than David Campbell. For David, stories well told are spoken poetry, and he has devoted decades to doing just that, supremely well. However, the art of storytelling is much more than technique. Telling a story, according to Duncan Williamson, David's bosom friend and fellow storyteller, is passing on a gift to cherish. David Campbell's concern has always been to render that gift unique, generous and precious. This gifting is part and parcel of David's wider generosity of spirit. For him love and friendship are not quantities to be allocated but qualities to be multiplied in the sharing. That is why, despite appearances in numerous festivals at home and abroad, storytelling ceilidh has always been the hearth of David Campbell's art - with all comers welcomed and affirmed. The Harvest gathered in this book is rich in stories heard and shared. Moreover, David's own Edinburgh home has been an unfailing heart of hospitality and storytelling hand-in-hand. There should be an everlasting plaque at the stair entry: HERE BE STORIES-ENTER WITHIN. It was Stanley Robertson, another with Duncan Williamson of the Scottish Traveller Tradition bearers, who used to say 'a story should be told eye to eye, mind to mind and heart to heart'. That points to a deeper inward dimension of storytelling. Within David's genial persona, is a loyal friend, a listening ear, and a readiness to support people through rough times. He espouses the steadfast human values of compassion, respect and dignity; and acts on them quietly. Around that core humanity, and sometimes personal struggles, David weaves a tapestry of fun and humour - a force field of grace and wit - by which he is often remembered. A phone call from David always includes at least one joke, usually unrepeatable. He sometimes threatens a collected edition of his jokes, but publishers beware! On a few occasions David has experienced knockback against his elf of mischief, but no harm is ever intended, and he is the first to laugh at a joke against himself. On one occasion he severely instructed a packed house at the Scottish Storytelling Centre to switch off all mobile phones before he would begin. Ten minutes later, in a full on dramatic pause, a mobile went off on full volume. David glared, audience members looked round anxiously, till it became apparent that the call tone was coming from David's own sporran.... David Campbell has always been ready to share his repertoire of stories with others, eye to eye, and in print. This Story Harvest contains some of his favourite and most performed tales. It is beautifully produced by people who love and understand storytelling. Please read, tell and enjoy. Thank you, David, from your wide community of friends, and from all the new friends this book will gain. Let the ceremony of delight continue. This is a harvest that never stops giving, and never wears out. Donald Smith Director, Scottish International Storytelling Festival