On Saturday morning, Lena sees a flyer at the community center: “Neighborhood Story Circle: Share a family story in any language.” The event will include short stories, tea, and time for people to ask questions. Lena wants to go, but the flyer leaves out a few details. It says, “Bring a small object with a story,” but it does not say how long each story should be.

At the front desk, Lena meets Carlos, one of the event volunteers. “Hi, I’m interested in the story circle,” she says. “Could you tell me a little more about it?” Carlos smiles. “Sure. People usually speak for three to five minutes. You can tell a true story, read a letter, or even describe a family recipe.”