Editor’s Note: Two of Lee’s stories, “My Pet Snake” and “Little Larry Lizard,” are available in video format on the Bandera Bulletin Facebook page.
Last month, Medina’s Faith and Freedom Club invited Tarpley resident and nationally known storyteller Lee Haile to speak to the group.
The jovial Haile started with his background story.
Haile and wife Karen both graduated from Hondo High School.
Born into a ranching family, Haile spent many years working in agriculture. With a degree in etymology (study of insects), Haile spent a decade as a “crop doctor” in south Texas consulting with farmers about how to increase their production.
After the agricultural economy took a downturn, Haile decided to go into business for himself.
He works in wood, and as well as storytelling with his family. Haile, his wife and two daughters performed together as the Haile Family Storytellers.
His daughters won several national awards as well as Haile who was designated as a “fellow” by the prestigious state organization, the Tejas Storytelling Association.
Haile told a half dozen stories at the meeting to exemplify the different areas of storytelling.
He referenced his longterm relationship with the Medina Pumpkin Patch and related stories from his performances for area students.
Many times, Haile plays an instrument and sings while he tells stories. He is a multi-talented musician who draws on his many musical skills to enhance his tall tales.
“My Pet Snake” was Haile’s first and longest story to tell at the meeting. His ability to draw listeners in and vividly describe the story’s setting made the experience feel very authentic. Haile described his boyhood home and how he had often made pets of many native animals.
Haile explained how he came up with the ideas for his stories and how they were generated by common experiences in his life.
His story, “Little Larry Lizard,” was an example of the hilarious use of alliteration to tell a simple tale of the heroics of a lizard protecting his girlfriend from a roadrunner.
Each story Haile told the group expanded their knowledge of the history and geography of the native Texas landscape that he described.
His stories are peppered with lizards, rattlesnakes, farm animals, coyotes and wild javelinas.
Haile spoke for 90 minutes to the group.
The next meeting of the Faith and Freedom Club in Medina will honor Cecil LeStourgeon, a renowned local stone mason and area historian.
The meeting will be held at the Rodney Camp Pavilion in Medina at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, October 14.
