Shades of Grey

I suppose the title could be "Shades of Gray" but whatever. Anybody know the reason for the two different spellings of the color? Is it a simple American vs. European english thing or is one supposed to relate to something differently than the other? For example, that is a gray whale. A grey whale doesn't exist, but a gray whale does...what do you think? And if this is the case, what could the different spellings relate to? Hmmmm.

Anyhow, that has nothing to do with my post at all actually. So onwards and upwards!

My question today is: What is the difference between a story teller and a liar? I mean, I do know that they are fundamentally different things (unlike gray and grey) but why is a great storyteller applauded and encouraged to grow in his/her talent when a great liar is punished and beat down on the way to a horrible existence?

Is it the motive??

A liar tells stories to deceive and get away with something said or done that is hurtful to someone else? A liar tells stories to garner attention and bulk up a deflated self esteem?

This is in opposition to the story teller, who lies with the greater purpose of entertaining and enthusing the crowd. A story teller lies to invoke the imagination, incite emotion and lead others to feel something (and thus, sense they are truly alive) !?

I don't know if there is a fine line to draw... I think great story tellers are fantastic liars who pepper their fabrications with enough truth to draw our admiration and accept the tale laid before us. Perhaps being labelled a liar isn't such a bad thing at all? With practice, maybe the liar realizes all his/her potential and develops into a magnificent story teller, with book deals, movie scripts and a weekly PBS show. I'm sure it could happen.

Or, perhaps ultimately, he/she arrives at the highest post prepared for such talented folks and becomes a politician :)