Nancy Mellon recommends laying a foundation of silence before telling a story: > Silence is the kindest, and the most powerful starting point for stories. Creating silence is different from waiting for children to be quiet. It is an active, radiant power. In the atmosphere of silence our hearts center into gently rhythms, our senses open, the very pores of our skin relax. To create silence is to strengthen a child's patient, active attention, which is the foundation for all learning.