Two things come to my mind when I think about storytelling and its power. First, there is the role of storytelling to pass on history and keep it alive. Second, stories can teach us important lessons that can guide our own thinking and actions.
As I consider the quote, I also think that stories can be used to ignite a passion in the reader or as a call to action. Rutledge used her story to highlight the importance of caring for animals and to compare and contrast the way humans view them and treat them. Her description of the flock of birds over the Panhandle, the noises made by the giraffes when they were scared and happy, and how jackrabbits express their terror communicated to me that animals are not here for my entertainment. They inspire wonder, teach us about ourselves, and are capable of feeling. This story will help me make better choices where animals are concerned.