Some people enjoy the somewhat harmless activity known as “the art of storytelling.” It’s also sometimes known as “getting creative with the facts.” Other persons become suspicious at hearing a differing account, and object strongly to any variation from their individual memories concerning “the absolute truth.”

Still others would describe storytelling as “just plain lying.” Broadly speaking, men seem to be more appreciative of storytelling than women – to the extent that comparatively few of the fairer sex can tolerate it at all. (I do realize that if the subject matter happens to touch on the subject of romance, all bets are off.)

In the interest of self-preservation, most adult males are keenly aware of the feminine abhorrence of lying. To further establish my case, I would refer you to my experience in handling (perhaps) 70 divorce cases in court. While dealing with such cases, I would occasionally encounter a puzzling statement made by soon-to-be divorced women clients, which would be communicated with the utmost condemnation and contempt. The statement almost never varied, and was as follows, “HE LIED TO ME ... even when he didn’t have to, he lied to me!”

Upon hearing the statement, I often wanted to ask what the woman meant by her soon-to-be ex-husband’s “not having to lie.” But when I would also observe that her nostrils might be flaring or that the veins in her forehead would be markedly standing out, I decided (again in the interest of self- preservation) that I’d research that one later.

Be that as it may, I happen to have a brother-in-law named Jim McPherson, who is a very capable storyteller. In telling his foibles, Jim is able to relate (somewhat) believable events with just the right blend of gestures and words, interesting “facts,” and humor to keep his audiences on the edge of their chairs anticipating his next line.

His timing during delivery is also much better than average, and it’s obvious that he enjoys telling his stories every bit as much as his listeners do in hearing them. By comparison, you surely know how when you and I try to tell a funny story, we invariably get the dwarfs on the wrong camel going the wrong way . . . any frustrated storyteller wannabe knows what I mean.

Anyway, perhaps 20 years ago, I talked Jim and my sister (Sandy) plus Ken and Dale Brown into trying the cuisine at a quaint little dining establishment known as the Shady Brook Café. The combination inn and restaurant is situated in a remote heavily forested spot halfway between Angel Fire and Taos, New Mexico.

On the appointed evening, our group arrived at the restaurant about seven, and there were several groups scattered throughout the small dining room who had already been seated. The largest group was seated at two tables that had been pushed together. And everyone who had been served was eating quietly and listening to a performer play a guitar on a small stage.

Our group sat down and before any wait staff appeared, we observed a catsup bottle being passed from one group of diners to another group. After a short pause, we then saw a bottle of salad dressing coming back across the room, being passed in similar fashion to a couple seated in a different part of the room. I thought to myself, “This is going to be a little different from the ordinary. I sure hope the other persons I’m with are in a good mood tonight.”

After 10 or 15 minutes had passed, a waiter came to our table and took our orders. A short while later, he brought some appetizers, which we consumed while visiting in a leisurely fashion. And then we waited ... and continued waiting some more. During this time, we saw some additional “communal passing” of condiments from one group to another.

Finally the waiter appeared again with a single meal intended for a group other than our own. After he placed the meal on the table, he called out loudly, “Would you guys over there please pass the catsup?” Then he left with just the one person in the neighboring group having been served. And I thought to myself, “Now, if I survive the wrath of my companions, this is definitely going to a very unique experience.”

To be continued.