Fancy for Fiction

How much could we accomplish if we gave up watching television shows for an extra hour of work? Or gave up reading stories to our children and instead read them textbooks and biographies? Or if instead of supporting theater, we attended science conventions every weekend. Something would be missing. 

From the very first "Once Upon a Time" humans have illustrated an inkling for made up stories, folklore and tales--a fancy for fiction. But why is this? Why do we feel compelled to the network comedies, featured films, and best seller books? The answer is not to attempt escape from reality. And it certainly isn't because reality is boring. But if we look back to the Realist Age of Literature, we find that fiction is tool for exploring inner truths. (page 11)

Humans have a fancy for fiction because we find ourselves in it, as a people. Even when I read a tale of someone as different from me as Huckleberry Finn, I'm looking for a new understanding of myself in God's world. Next time you think to yourself that your fictitious fancies might be a waste of time, think again. The discoveries made through stories will doubtlessly lead to some of your own. Read, react, respond. Endlessly.