We’re back for our third installment of Storytelling School with The Moth. Because of social distancing in response to COVID-19, a large number of schools all around the world are closed, so The Moth’s Education program is publishing these storytelling activities to help parents and educators with some at-home curriculum. By popular demand, these blog posts will now be released twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays- thanks for your support! 

This week’s story is:

“The Care Package” by Leonard Lee Smith

We met Leonard through our friends at Arc Stories in Birmingham, Alabama. Leonard’s story was featured in our third book, Occasional Magic, you can read it here.

After you’ve watched and read the story, you can do the following activities: 

1. Talk to each other about Leonard’s story. 

For each post, we’ll highlight a different crafting strategy for how to make your story compelling. This week, we’ll focus on CHARACTER. In Moth stories, we focus on personal narrative, which means the main character is… (wait for it)... YOU! But we also love getting to meet the important people in your life.

• Who are the characters in Leonard’s story?

• What do we learn about those characters through the details Leonard chooses to include?

• What do we learn about Leonard by meeting the people who matter to him?

2. Write or tell your own story.

Did Leonard’s story remind you of someone who has had an important impact on your life? What stories do you have about that person?

• Tell us about a time a relationship with someone you loved changed (a little or a lot). 

• Tell us about a time a move changed an important relationship or redefined your traditions.

• Tell us about a time someone you love gave you the gift you needed.

• Tell us about a time with a loved one that you’ll always remember.

3. Activity

During this time of social distancing, it’s more important than ever to reach out to those we love. How about sending a good old-fashioned letter? Remember how exciting it feels to get something unexpected in the mail? You can deliver that feeling to someone you care about!

• For an extra personal touch (and some therapeutic crafting time): make your own envelope!

4. Share this post with a friend!

Click here for activity #4.

The Moth Education Program works with young people and educators to build community through storytelling workshops, performances and innovative resources. To learn more, visit themoth.org/education

The Moth Education Program is made possible by generous support from The Kresge Foundation, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association Charitable Trust, the Kate Spade New York Foundation, and  Alice Gottesman. 

Additional program support is provided by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the New York State Council on the Arts, ConEdison, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.