THEATER : Lively storytelling troupe bridges cultural gaps among the young.

Step into the legend of John Henry, the black folk hero known for his amazing strength. Find a part in an Aesop’s fable. Or merge with myths from the Chumash Indian culture.

Folk tales, oral history and great literature are given new life with “We Tell Stories,” a multiethnic storytelling troupe appearing Saturday at Hawthorne Plaza.

Since 1981, the Los Angeles-based group has borrowed legends and stories from diverse cultures to create performance pieces in which the young audience joins the act.

The group’s goal is to entertain while stimulating the imaginations of children and introducing them to the arts of language and acting, said Carl Weintraub, co-founder of the group.

Their multicultural program advocates a “flower pot” rather than a melting pot image of society, where cultural differences are important and should be considered with pride and respect.

“We tell stories because we want to communicate,” Weintraub said. “Storytelling is the art form of communication. And only communication is going to save the world.”

The group’s repertoire includes “Let Them Eat Books,” focusing on works by Aesop, Edgar Allan Poe, James Thurber and Mark Twain; “Proud to Be Me” a show stressing self-esteem and mutual respect, and “Earth Tales,” featuring Chumash Indian myths and stories about life and death, ecology and the environment.

Saturday the troupe will perform “The Soul of the Story,” interpretations of folk tales and literature from African and African-American culture.

“The Soul of the Story” focuses on spirit, pride and “a willingness to laugh at it all,” said Susan Devlin, troupe spokeswoman.

“We Tell Stories” is presented as part of the Kids Klub, a new biweekly program at Hawthorne Plaza for children 10 and younger. The program presents educational entertainment on the first and third Saturday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Kids Klub programs help children “broaden their horizons and explore avenues they may not have been exposed to in the arts,” said Karie Najemnik, coordinator of the program. “They learn something without feeling they’re learning.”

A free membership in the club entitles children and their parents to discounts from select merchants, free gifts, birthday greetings and information on mall events for youngsters.

On Nov. 20, the club will present a marionette version of Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite.” Jim Gamble’s puppet troupe will perform its rendition of the traditional holiday story using Tchaikovsky’s classic score. The event also marks the arrival of Santa Claus at the mall.

Hawthorne Plaza is at 12124 Hawthorne Plaza in Hawthorne. Kids Klub performances take place in the Center Court outside The Broadway.

Information: (310) 675-4427.