Lesson 47: THE BIG/SMALL STORY: “The Woman In The Mirror” - Caroline Abilat Lozirah

This month’s blog was guest authored by Larry Rosen. Larry is a Moth instructor and director, proud to work regularly with individuals and diverse communities throughout the U.S. and in selected cities worldwide.

Happy Approaching Spring! Often, when we explore ideas for personal stories, we look to the “big” events in our lives: The time we aced (or failed) an important exam. The season-ending game we won (or lost). Many great stories span weeks, months, or even years, and include a variety of interesting characters.

But sometimes a beautiful, meaningful story can happen in a quiet moment, when we are alone with our thoughts. 

Caroline Abilat Lozirah was a participant in a Moth Global Community Program workshop, focused on stories of women and girls, in Naivasha, Kenya, in February 2017. Prompted with the simple question, “What is a moment you will never forget?,” Caroline recalled a time she confronted, and changed, her own ideas about personal image, appearance, and success - all within the space of an hour!

This month’s Storytelling School story is:

“The Woman In The Mirror” by Caroline Abilat Lozirah

• Watch the video

• You can read the transcript of Caroline's story here.

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

Talk to each other about Caroline’s story.

We often say that great stories include a balance of external and internal action.

• What are some of the “external” moments and images you recall from the story? 

• What internal discoveries does Caroline make during the story?

• How does she show us what is at stake for her, and why this day is important?

Write or tell your own story.

At The Moth, we believe in celebrating the diversity and commonality of human experience. Often, listening to someone’s story will remind us of a story from our own lives. While you may not have had Caroline’s exact experience, it still may have reminded you of a story from your life. Get inspired by these prompt questions to tell your own story!

• Tell us about a “small” moment in your life, that somehow turned big.

• Tell us about a time you took some time alone to figure things out.

• Tell us about a time you saw some unexpected wonderfulness in yourself.

Share this post with a friend!

And check back the second Tuesday of every month for another story.

Storyteller bio

Caroline is a Gender in Education Specialist, currently working at Plan International Uganda.

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

Find The Moth on social media Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

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

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.