They sat in a circle, listening to her voice as it shared old African fables. She usually tells her stories to young children, but last night, Thelma Price had two dozen college students focused on tales of nature and humanity.

Price read stories in the Paul Robeson Cultural Center auditorium, keeping alive the African tradition of oral literature. She said that the storytelling tradition is very important to her culture because the tales are passed from generation to generation and are part of the African heritage.

"You may bury my bones, but my words live on forever," Price said, quoting the words of an African artist.

Price was invited to tell stories by Delta Sigma Theta sorority, 108 South Hibbs, getting Black History Month off to a head start. Last night marked the third annual storytelling.

"It's an opportunity to link tales of the past with the tales our parents and grandparents told us," said Lisa Mebane, Delta Sigma Theta service so-chair.

Price read from a book of old Kenyan tales called "Akamba." Some of the tales had timeless morals, others gave explanations of the wonders of nature. One ended with a man learning that cheating does not pay off, another explained why hyenas always slouch.

Edrice Robinson (sophomore-environmental resource management) came to hear Price and learn more about her own culture.

"I know there are a lot of stories in the African American culture that I've never been exposed to -- a combination of different stories dealing with courage and things that are important in the African culture," she said.

Price, fondly referred to as "Mom" by the students who know her best, came to University Park in the early 1970s when racial tension plagued the campus.

Acting as a liason between students, the University and state legislators, Price, who had planned to stay in Happy Valley for only four months, was asked to serve as assistant vice president for student affairs.

She accepted, "so I bought a house here," she said.

"I'm retired now," she said, "but I can't stop moving."