Learning with and through narratives is a very effective tool for bringing people into discussions who might otherwise be excluded. If we believe that stories are vital to who we are, that they change over time, and that they are both unique and culturally inscripted, then it follows that stories have a great potential for making vital connections between individuals and the world of ideas. Stories do not simply represent an experience as it actually happened. Rather they are always a representation of that, and as such are a very rich means for accessing those ideas, beliefs and commitments that an individual holds dear. Becoming genuinely acquainted with the worlds of our students--both real, and imagined--is a very demanding. As teachers, we must demonstrate that we think we have something to learn from our students, as well as some knowledge and skills to impart. (Contains 7 endnotes.)