It can give us hope and remind us of the possibilities that exist in life. But stories can do more than just inspire us to dream. They can help us to empathize with others. When we hear a story that portrays the experiences of someone who is different from us, it can broaden our perspective and help us understand their struggles and triumphs. This fosters empathy, compassion, and leads us to take action to make this world a better place for everybody to live