Retelling is not literal translation
Retelling a story for foreigners is not the same as translating a story word for word. A retelling has to preserve emotional truth while adjusting rhythm, references, and explanatory weight.
What must stay
The first task is deciding what must stay. Usually that means the emotional spine, the symbolic heart, and the image that makes the story unforgettable. Everything else can be adjusted according to audience and medium.
What must not overwhelm
The second task is resisting the urge to explain everything at once. Too much explanation kills momentum. A foreign listener can tolerate not knowing every background detail if the retelling has life.
Why it matters here
This matters a lot for my site because story retelling is not only content. It is method. It is how I can teach language, culture, and voice together.
A bridge, not a flattening
A good retelling is a bridge. It does not flatten difference, but it makes crossing possible.