I was telling stories at the Miami Public Library's "The Art of Storytelling" annual festival.

Someone said, "I like those tall tales."

Tall is just another word for s-t-r-e-t-c-h. You pull the tale along like taffy, you exaggerate, you draw it out until it's laughable. Well, that's one way we do it. My way, anyway.

Our grandson Taj was present for each of the storytellings I did and so was his sister Anais. Our daughters, Mariah and Hannah were also there. My wife, Lorry was also present. I guess I am a family man storyteller: I bring my family along when I tell.

Taj did a stretch of his own when he wrote Mariah's Mom's Day card -- "You are the bestest mom in the world. I will behave for over 100 years."

That's sort of what Chipmunk said to Gila Monster when he was trying to get back in good favor with the wizard-lizard. I think I told that story for the thousandth time on Saturday. Or was it the millionth? Anyway, it was the bestest I ever did.