Telling tales? Making up stories? Never do that, we tell our kids. Yet, as grown-ups, we promote exactly that in a Tall Tale Contest. What is TMI up to?
A Tall Tale contest challenges our imagination, expands our limits of imagining things, encourages us to speak illogical and silly stuff, which is the precursor to creative freedom, the hallmark of left-brain activity. A Toastmaster not only has to communicate effectively, but also think creatively. Hence the opportunity, a Tall Tale contest.
It was the first time for Ruwi Club, this Tall Tale contest. Ten storytellers had registered but finally six lived to tell the tale. Our VP-E had made all arrangements to the cinch - five judges, two timers, two tally counters, trophies, gifts - all laid out in perfect order.
SAA TM Sabu called the meeting to order at 3.30 pm on the dot. He had important role to play today in assisting speakers with mikes and props, which he did efficiently.
MC TM Kamil welcomed all present to an interesting evening and could not prevent telling a story as well.
Today's Contest Chair was TM Nagesh, looking very dapper in formals. Those who missed today's session, missed a rare sight indeed. TM Nagesh, a past master as a TMOD already, introduced all six contestants, explained to rules and got the session going right away.
In order of speaking, the contestants were:
- MTM Panna
- TM Saleem
- TM Venkat
- TM Rajat
- TM Raja
- TM Chaitanya
All the speeches were imaginative and ranged from wishes coming true, to thoughts being projected through eyes onto a screen, to a 55-sim phone enabling talking to past and future, to a magic Rajnikant watch making the wearer see people as animals whose characteristics they possessed, to an unexpectedly prolific and proficient cricketer. All the stories were imaginative and engaging.
While the totals were being calculated, DTM Verma gave a short impromptu speech on Tall Tales and congratulated all speakers on being brave enough to think up these stories and presenting them to the public.
TM Mathen felicitated the judges for spoiling their Saturday nap and turning up to judge our competition.
The winners were:
- Winner: MTM Panna
- 1st Runner-up: TM Rajat
- 2nd Runner-up: TM Venkat
Congratulations to the winners! Tall Tale contest winners do not proceed beyond the club level, so it was like a warm-up to the contest season. Our next contest will be on 10th February - Humorous and Evaluation - so people, do start preparing and nominate yourselves in large numbers.
See you all on 20.1.18 - a normal session.
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