Short Story

Write a short story similar to the F. Scott Fitzgerald story, "The Camel's Back." You will create a main character for the story using elements of your own autobiography. The main character is NOT you, but he or she has some of your traits, experiences, thoughts, and feelings.

This story will be about a kid who goes to a costume party. He or she is not recognized in the costume and is mistaken for someone else, perhaps a friend or a parent. The character sees people that he or she knows and the people say and do things they normally wouldn't because they don't know who is in the costume. The character sees familiar people in unfamiliar ways. The character hides his or her identity and a misunderstanding develops. At the end, his or her identity is revealed.

It's your job is to fill in the particulars with your own creative story:

• Whose party is it and where does it take place?
• What costume does the main character wear? How does it prevent him or her from being recognized?
• Who do people think is in the costume?
• Who does the character see, and what pleasant and unpleasant surprises are there?
• What misunderstanding develops because of the mistaken identity?
• What happens when the character is revealed at the end?

Be sure to fill out your story with description of scenes, dialogue among the characters, and details that will help the reader visualize the situation you are writing about.