David Grossman posing after being announced as the winner of the Man Booker International Prize 2017 for his book “A Horse Walks into a Bar” at Victoria & Albert Museum in London, June 14, 2017. (Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images)

Last month, an article in the St. Louis Post Dispatch appeared on the front page with the headline: “St. Louisan Joins the Circus—Washington U. graduate juggles his way into a spot with Cirque du Soleil.” It goes on to say, “Being a professional...

When I’m giving a tour of the St. Louis Art Museum or Laumeier Sculpture Park and feel that I am losing my audience’s attention, I often find myself saying, “Let me tell you a story.” They are back with me in an instant. I use the same strategy...