Why do you think Everly's grandfather changed the story of the Pulaski sinking each time he told it? Do you have family stories that are part of your heritage that have changed over time?

The stories of the Pulaski sinking were part of Everly's childhood. Her grandfather told and retold the story—adding bits and pieces of mythology and lore. Why do you think he changed it up each time? Do you have family stories that are part of your heritage that have changed over time?

Everly's grandfather was a storyteller. He loved to spin stories. His stories weren't necessarily based on facts. Yes, the wreck of the Pulaska was a factual incident, but her grandfather may have romanticized it in his telling. She reacted to his storytelling, and each time he spun a new thread to the tale so that she would be surprised and react again. In my mind, this is what a storyteller does.

I agree with dorinned. Stories change over time as they become more engrained in our brains, and we enhance the facts in order to make the story more interesting. My parents have told me stories about my grandparents and beyond that seem to get more shocking over time; however, I think the reasoning for this is not just to hold my interest, but also because some facts I was too young to know about!

I think he changed the story because no one really knew what happened. Even the passengers that survived only knew what their experience was and not what happened to everyone else.

I think that Everly's grandfather was a storyteller to both pass on history and keep the story alive and not stale. Imagine 2 little girls sitting before you enraptured about what happened to Lily. You'd continue to embroider the storyline and thereby keep the girl's interest high. I'm glad he did.

He changed the story each time because he was weaving a tale to entertain/keep his granddaughters interested. Until we found out where the painting came from, I thought that he was in some way connected to the Pulaski. I think him weaving those tales is one of the reasons Everly chose the profession she did.