Lesson #72: PRINCIPLE: "The Long Game" - "Xocoatl (Bitter Water)" - Tod Kelly
Welcome back to another month of diving deep into the art of storytelling. This month, we're exploring the principle of "The Long Game," where persistence and patience pay off, often with hilarious results!
This month’s Storytelling School story is:
"Xocoatl (Bitter Water)" by Tod Kelly.
Watch the video: Tod Kelly's Story Here
You can read the transcript of Tod’s story here:
After you’ve watched and read the story, you can do the following activities:
Talk to each other about Tod’s story.
For this post, we’ll focus on how to craft a story about pranks and the comedic tension of a long-term plan, just in time for April Fools’ Day!
2-3 Discussion questions:
- What did you think of the initial prank Tod's sister played on him? How did it set the stage for the rest of the story?
- Tod spends a decade trying to get his sister back. What does this tell us about sibling relationships and the nature of pranks?
- How does Tod use humor to keep the audience engaged throughout his long-winded revenge plan?
Let’s Play “Have You Ever”
Raise your hand if…
- You’ve ever played a prank on a sibling or friend.
- You’ve ever been the victim of a prank.
- You’ve ever planned a long-term joke.
- You’ve ever tried to get revenge for something.
- You’ve ever had a prank backfire.
- You’ve ever used April Fools' Day as an excuse for mischief.
- You’ve ever tried to trick someone with food.
- You’ve ever had a rivalry with someone.
Alt Months: 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 almost definitely have not had Tod’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 time you tried to pull off the perfect prank.
- Tell us about a time you had a long-standing rivalry with someone.
- Tell us about a time you tried to trick someone with something unexpected.
- Tell us about a time you had to wait a long time for something.
- Tell us about a time you learned that revenge isn't always sweet.
- Tell us about a hilarious April Fools' Day experience.
ACTIVITY SUGGESTIONS BASED ON STORY CONTENT/ PRINCIPLE
SUGGESTION 1: "The Art of the Prank Story"
- Have participants brainstorm different types of pranks and then write a short story about one. Encourage them to focus on the build-up, the execution, and the reaction.
SUGGESTION 2: "April Fools' Story Swap"
- In honor of April Fools' Day, have participants share their funniest prank-related stories. This can be a mix of personal experiences and fictional tales.
- Here is a link to Family Friendly Pranks
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Storyteller bio
Tod Kelly is a Moth StorySLAM champion known for his engaging storytelling and comedic timing. His stories often revolve around family dynamics and the humorous side of everyday life, making him a favorite among audiences.
Tag on social?: #TheMothEducation #StorytellingSchool #AprilFoolsDay
The Moth Education Program works with young people and educators to build community through storytelling workshops, performances and innovative resources.
We are always looking for more young people and educators to join our storytelling workshops! To learn more, apply for a workshop, or refer someone you know, please go to themoth.org/education
Crediting Language:
"Xocoatl (Bitter Water)" by Tod Kelly, as featured on The Moth's website and YouTube channel. Used with permission for educational purposes. All rights reserved by The Moth.