The storytelling stalls on Damen Stone Street won't open until the Yao Bell Tower rings five times.
Who would come to listen to stories early in the morning when everyone is busy living their lives?
No one comes at noon either; it's both sunny and hot, plus most people are at work.
It's only in the late afternoon that people finish work, earn their wages, come to Damen Stone Street to have a good meal, and listen to some storytelling.
Storytelling has never been a profession sustained by tips—living solely on tips would lead to starvation; in any era, freeloading is far more common than genuine support.
Most storytellers are affiliated with nearby eateries, where some place their dining tables outside, and some invite storytellers to perform inside the establishment, primarily to attract customers.
