"What does it feel like to be a parent? What does it feel like to be a child? And that's what stories do. They bring you there. They offer a dramatic explanation, which is always different from an expository explanation"

Richard Russo's quote speaks with the expressive power of storytelling and its capability to convey experiences in a way that traditional explanations can not. At its core, the quote juxtaposes the roles and emotional landscapes of being a parent and a kid, two viewpoints abundant with complexity and depth. Russo suggests that these roles are not simply defined by biological or societal functions, but by an abundant tapestry of feelings, struggles, and happiness that are challenging to articulate through simple, factual exposition.

Stories, according to Russo, serve as bridges to these deeply individual experiences. They allow readers to occupy the world of the characters and feel the subtleties of those roles firsthand. The phrase "What does it seem like" is vital here; it implies that specific realities about human presence can not be totally captured by simply mentioning facts or providing logical explanations. Rather, they should be felt to be understood, and this is where storytelling shines.

A "significant description" in stories does not merely explain what happens between characters; it immerses the audience in the tension, conflicts, and resolutions that define those relationships. For a parent, the story may check out the protective instincts, sacrifices, and hopes they hold for their child. For the child, it might look into the dependency, disobedience, or desire for identity different from their parents. These experiences are universal yet deeply personal, and stories can deftly navigate this duality through characterization, dialogue, and plot.

Russo highlights that such significant storytelling offers a richer, more textured understanding than an expository explanation, which may list tasks or developmental phases without capturing emotional resonance. Hence, stories do more than inform; they transform, permitting us to see and feel the world through another's eyes, thus expanding our compassion and understanding of the human condition.