Why are stories so important for the human species? This is the question Jonathan Gottschall answers in his crisply written book The Storytelling Animal: How Stories Make Us Human. In any given culture a skillful story teller has always been able to surround himself by willing listeners, which put him in a position of power. Whether for the purpose of distraction from our utilitarian existence or to fascinate the other sex, whether as a mental playground or as a source for vicarious experience, stories always find a smooth way to our eager ears. Something to consider, if you have a message…