Having lions appear in various places in my life in the last week (depictions and references, not live ones) has got me ruminating on the Lions of Ansteorra. I’ve been blessed to call friend several of these wonderful people. Others have just affected my life with the larger-than-life personas they portrayed.
One of my first experiences with a Lion was at an event where Willow de Wisp was telling stories. Oh, my, can she tell stories to stir the blood and excite the mind! I’ve been honored over the years to be able to sit near her and listen to her tell stories for long periods of time. She also is good at pulling stories out of other people.
At a Candlemas a few years ago, she taught a class on storytelling which I was able to attend. I remember her giving details on how to make a story come to life, and how to end it on a high note. That night at court, she was called to tell a story. I grabbed the older kids at my table and said, “Follow me. Trust me. You want to hear this.” We scooted up through the hall and plopped on the floor in front of the first set of tables just as she started to tell her tale. Every tip she’d taught us in class was in that story of Ansteorran history. Everything was brought beautifully to life. The audience laughed and nodded and were completely in the palm of her hand. She delivered the punch line and the court was completely speechless for a few seconds before letting out a loud cheer. It was a wonderful moment.
The kids had been just as spellbound. When I asked them what they’d thought, all they could say was, “Wow!” And there were stars in their eyes. The stars I am sure were in mine the first time I heard her speak.