When I was a boy living on my grandparent's farm, each day my family would gather near the orchard after the day's work was done. This was story time, and as dusk settled over the fields, my grandmother spun her tale. Perhaps it would be about the spirit that lived in the pumpkin patch, or the bluebirds living in the fencepost-the subject didn't matter. I was always mesmerized. As summer ends, and our activities turn toward hearth and home, storytelling is a wonderful family activity we can use to practice togetherness. Create stories that aren't scary, but do include friendly magical beings in your tales. With each tale you tell, you carry on magical tradition. Remember: Much of the magical lore we use today was passed down to us in orally told stories.