Truth vs the Story

A few days ago our city librarian asked me to read "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith and then lead a discussion for the local book club. I was a bit surprised that she approached me. Why me? I'm not even a member of the club. I'm not particularly well versed in the classics. I have no real education in literature. But, as most of you know, I do love books--all kinds of books--and I decided to accept the opportunity. I'm so glad I did. I'm only about a third of the way through and I am delighting in the experience.

One part that I really liked:
"I'll not punish you for having an imagination."
Gently, Teacher explained the difference between a lie and a story. A lie was something you told because you were mean or a coward. A story was something you made up out of something that might have happened. Only you didn't tell it like it was; you told it like you thought it should have been...........
"You know, Francie, a lot of people would think that these stories that you're making up all the time were terrible lies because they are not the truth as people see the truth. In the future, when something comes up, you tell exactly how it happened but write down for yourself the way you think it should have happened. Tell the truth and write the story. Then you won't get mixed up."
It was the best advice Francie ever got. Truth and fancy were so mixed up in her mind--as they are in the mind of every lonely child--that she didn't know which was which.......
If she had not found this outlet in writing, she might have grown up to be a tremendous liar.

I really got thinking about all the wonderful fiction that we would be missing, if others like Francie had only told the truth and never written the story. And think of all the truths that we learn from stories that are not necessarily true. I believe in being honest, in telling the truth. But I am grateful for the talented others who can so wonderfully share the stories.
What would life be without books.

I'm sure there will be more from this book to share later. I have a couple more weeks to finish reading before the review meeting.