Plot (narrative)

Have you ever opened a book and felt a little flutter of excitement in your tummy. You look at the first words and wonder where they will take you. That feeling is me. I am the secret path that winds through every story, from the very first page to the very last. Think of me like a rollercoaster ride for your imagination. I am the invisible guide that holds your hand and whispers, “What happens next.”. I connect all the exciting parts of an adventure, like shiny beads on a string. First, you meet the hero. Then, a problem pops up. Then comes the most exciting part where the hero has to be brave. I am the reason you can’t wait to turn the page. I make sure the journey is full of surprises, but I haven't told you my name just yet.

I have been around for a very, very long time, even before there were books to read. I was there in the flickering firelight as people told stories about brave hunters and magical animals thousands of years ago. I was even painted on the walls of caves, showing great adventures without a single word. But for a long time, nobody had a special name for me. Then, a very wise man who lived in a place called ancient Greece decided to study me. His name was Aristotle, and around the year 335 BCE, he noticed something special. He saw that the very best stories all had a clear beginning to get you started, a middle filled with adventure, and an end to wrap everything up. He said I was the most important part of any story and gave me my first name: 'mythos,' which is a Greek word for story. Many, many years flew by, and people kept telling stories with my help. Then, in the year 1863, a writer named Gustav Freytag drew a picture of me. It looked just like a mountain. He showed how a story climbs up to the most exciting peak and then slides back down to a happy ending. That’s when I was properly introduced to everyone. Hello. I am Plot.

Now that you know my name, you will see me everywhere. I am in every book you read at bedtime and in every movie you watch with your family. I am the reason a superhero's journey is so thrilling, from the moment they get their powers to the final battle to save the world. I am what makes a fairytale’s ending feel so happy and right after the princess escapes the dragon. I am in the video games you play, leading you from one level to the next. The most wonderful part is that you can use me, too. When you make up a story about your toys, or draw your own comic book, or tell a friend about your day, I am there, helping you build your own adventure. I am your secret map for sharing your imagination. So go ahead, tell a story. I’ll be right there with you.