The little bus driver, who was much smaller and quiet, felt intimidated. Big John’s refusal to pay became a daily occurrence. The bus driver couldn’t shake the feeling of being small and weak, and each day, his confidence shrank a little more. It was like his spirit was deflating, and soon, he found himself unable to sleep at night, worrying about Big John.
A Change is Coming
One day, the bus driver decided that he couldn’t let Big John’s behavior make him feel weak anymore. He didn’t want to be afraid of Big John. So, he made a choice to change. He signed up for bodybuilding classes, took karate lessons to learn how to fight, and even practiced judo to become a master of defensive moves. With each drop of sweat, he grew stronger, both inside and out. He didn’t just build muscles—he built confidence.
Finally, the day came when Big John boarded the bus once more. This time, the bus driver stood tall, squared his shoulders, and looked Big John in the eye. With courage shining through his voice, he asked, “And why not pay?”
Then came the surprise! Big John, looking confused, simply replied, “Big John has a bus pass.” The bus driver’s heart sank. All of his worry and fear had been for nothing. He had misunderstood the entire situation.
The Elements of Good Story Writing:
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Clear Characters: In any good story, you need well-defined characters who the reader can care about. In this story, we have Big John, the intimidating giant, and the bus driver, the smaller, quieter character who goes through a change. These characters are easy to understand and relate to.
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Big John represents strength but also the idea of an assumption being wrong.
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The bus driver represents someone who feels weak but can find the strength to change.
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Conflict: Every good story has a problem or conflict that drives the plot. In this story, the conflict arises from Big John’s refusal to pay and the bus driver’s struggle with feeling small and powerless. The conflict is not just physical, but emotional, as the bus driver battles with his own fear and self-doubt.
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The internal conflict is the bus driver’s own feelings of insecurity.
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The external conflict is Big John refusing to pay the fare, which creates tension.
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Setting: A good story often places characters in a specific setting that enhances the plot. In this story, the setting is the bus and the city. It’s a familiar, everyday place that makes the story feel real. The bus is not just a place of transportation but a small world where the drama unfolds.
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Character Development: A key part of good storytelling is showing how a character changes over time. The bus driver starts out feeling small and weak, but through his hard work, he grows stronger and more confident. This transformation is important because it shows that characters can learn, grow, and change—just like writers do as they practice and improve their craft.
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The bus driver transforms from fearful to confident, and this change is what makes the story satisfying.
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Surprise Twist: Every good story has a twist that surprises the reader or changes their understanding of the situation. In this story, the twist comes when the bus driver confronts Big John, only to find out that Big John isn’t being rude—he has a bus pass! This surprise helps teach the lesson of the story and shows how things aren’t always as they seem.
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Theme and Message: Every story has a lesson or theme. This story’s message is about not jumping to conclusions and how we can grow by learning from our mistakes. It also teaches us that sometimes the things we worry about aren’t really problems at all.
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Theme: Growth, courage, and understanding.
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Message: Don’t let misunderstandings cloud your judgment. Be brave, and learn to see things clearly.
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The Four Stages of Learning:
Here’s how the stages of learning can be applied to Big John’s story:
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Unconscious Incompetence – “I Can Do This!”
At first, the bus driver thought dealing with Big John would be easy. Just like new writers often think writing is simple, the bus driver didn’t realize how much more there was to learn about handling difficult situations. -
Conscious Incompetence – “Wait, This is Harder Than I Thought!”
After a while, the bus driver realized things weren’t as simple as he thought. He realized he needed to get stronger, just like writers realize that writing a great story is harder than they first imagined. It takes more than just an idea to make a story work. -
Conscious Competence – “I’m Getting the Hang of It!”
After working hard, the bus driver learned how to stand up to Big John. Writers also get better by practicing and learning the craft, like developing characters and adding twists to their stories. -
Unconscious Competence – “I’ve Got This!”
Finally, the bus driver was able to face Big John with ease, just like an experienced writer who can tell great stories without much effort. Writers reach this stage when they are so good at storytelling that it feels natural and easy.
Conclusion: The Power of Storytelling
The story of Big John and the bus driver teaches us that learning to tell a story is a journey, just like the bus driver’s path to confidence. We all start with misconceptions or fears, but through practice, we can grow stronger and better at writing and at life.
By understanding the elements of a good story—clear characters, conflict, setting, character development, a surprise twist, and a strong theme—writers can improve their skills and create stories that inspire, entertain, and teach important lessons.
So, the next time you’re writing a story, remember:
Just like the bus driver, you have the power to grow, learn, and unlock the magic of storytelling!
Also, Take the wheel on your journey to master or Learn Anything you want. It's the same 4 Learning steps as above
— drive your growth,
— ignite your learning, and
— discover the magic of success waiting for you
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