Adapted from Narrative Medicine: Harnessing the Power of Storytelling Through Essayson the occasion of Passover.
“The greatest story ever told” is a phrase often used to refer to stories that have had a significant impact on humanity and continue to resonate across cultures and generations. Paul Simon's song “Old” praises the Bible as the greatest story ever told. The Bible is indeed considered one of the greatest stories ever told, particularly the story of Passover, which marks the exodus of the enslaved Israelites from Egypt – and the story of Moses, chosen by God to direct.
Overall, the Bible's enduring appeal lies in its ability to speak to the human condition and offer timeless wisdom and inspiration to generations of readers. His “greatest stories” have captured the imagination of readers for centuries and continue to be celebrated for their depth, complexity, and enduring relevance.
The power of the Passover story lies in its ability to weave a compelling narrative, deep symbolism, universal themes, and historical continuity. Additionally, the influence of Passover extends beyond Judaism, with elements of the story also found in the traditions of Christianity and Islam. The Last Supper, a key event in Christianity, was a Passover meal.
Paul Simon initially spoke about the Bible in the context of his inspiration for writing the song “The Boxer.” In interviews, Simon has mentioned that “The Boxer” was influenced by the Bible because of its timeless stories. He spoke of drawing inspiration from biblical themes of struggle, resilience and redemption, which he said resonated deeply with him as a songwriter.
Many of Simon's songs fit with his broader appreciation of storytelling and universal themes found in literature, such as love, loneliness, identity, good versus evil, death and mortality, freedom and oppression, nature versus civilization and the majority. In “Old”, Simon's reference to the Bible as the greatest story ever told is ironic. From his point of view, the greatest story ever told – indeed, stories – is that of Simon.
However, I suggest that the greatest story ever told is your story – not the Bible's, and certainly not Paul Simon's. The stories that matter to you highlight your remarkable achievements and showcase your ingenuity, perseverance and versatility. Each of you is a story in your own right, an overflowing cauldron of stories that span cultures and decades, containing universal themes that resonate with everyone in the same way that the Bible does.
The Passover holiday should remind you to share these fascinating stories with your friends, colleagues, loved ones and especially your patients. The people you care for can draw strength and comfort from your stories and personal struggles. I assure you that your stories will be remembered for a lifetime and will never become “old”.
Arthur Lazarus is an old Doximity Fellow, a member of the editorial board of the American Association for Physician Leadership and assistant professor of psychiatry at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He Iis the author of Every story counts: exploring contemporary practice through narrative medicine, Medicine on Fire: a travelogueAnd Narrative medicine: the fifth vital sign.