Bill Cosby's gift of gab: In his genes via a sock Twain Prize recipient learned the art of storytelling at his grandfather's knee HEY, HEY, HEY: Bill Cosby's grandfather was a "savior for me." (1998 Photo By Helayne Seidman For The Washington Post) Washington Post Staff Writer Monday, October 26, 2009 Where does the gift come from? For Bill Cosby, it begins in a housing project in North Philadelphia. He's 6, maybe 7 years old. He's sitting at the knee of his father's father, hoping for a quarter. But first he has to listen. Samuel Russell Cosby Sr. read the Bible, and told his grandson the stories. Young William didn't exactly listen -- "To this day, I don't know the names he said" -- but he sure enough heard. The details of the stories, of course, weren't as important as the way his grandfather told them -- his tone, his... [read full story]
