“After nourishment, shelter, and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.”
— Philip Pullman, an English writer. Author of the His Dark Materials fantasy trilogy.
Pullman doesn’t share the same worldview as I do—he calls himself an “agnostic atheist”—but I do agree with him in his sentiment regarding the importance of stories.
Stories, true ones and fictional ones, have saved me many times. Stories are the seeds that sprout in the garden of my mind, providing both beauty and food.
Do you see story this way? Do you have a different interpretation?
Michael Ehret, for Writing on the Fine Line
Writing On The Fine Line 
Poor Mr. Pullman–but I agree with you, Mike, that he understands the importance of story. Besides writing them, I need them in three ways: 1) I need to be living one–one that will point others to Christ. Someone is always watching. 2) I need to observe those being “written” by the lives of others. A great source of material. 3) I need to read those bound in books. The good ones excite the imagination. And we all need to “get away” from time to time.
Great way to think about it, Jim. Especially like #1.