This is a book about storytelling. We've all heard, read, or seen, stories told badly at one time or another, but few of us have been able to discern why we were disappointed in a production. Telling a story poorly is like telling a joke poorly. Yeah, the words are there, the premise and punch line are laid out, but it's just not funny... or interesting in the case of a story. This work is provides an understanding of the elements of a weel-told story, not as a template to be followed, or a strict set of rules, but as a philosophy, one that has been employed at least since Gilgamesh. Read it, then put it away. use the knowledge it has provided to mold the feeling of your tale. Your work will be better for it.