"Our storytelling ability, a uniquely human trait, has been with us nearly as long as we’ve been able to speak. Whether it evolved for a particular purpose or was simply an outgrowth of our explosion in cognitive development, story is an inextricable part of our DNA. Across time and across cultures, stories have proved their worth not just as works of art or entertaining asides, but as agents of personal transformation."

For more on this topic from Elizabeth Svoboda, see http://aeon.co/magazine/psychology/once-upon-a-time-how-stories-change-hearts-and-brains/