"I am a Writer"

My creative wheels begin to spin as I glance at the sheet of paper I am handed.

    "You must use every letter and all the pictures and symbols listed on the page to create your story," the teacher instructed as he continued to hand out the assignment.  "You will have three minutes to complete it beginning...now."

Feeling confident and excited to begin, I pick up my pencil to write. I got this, I thought, I'm a writer, this is gonna be good.  My enthusiasm quickly turns to concern when I realize I don't' have any paper.  Looking around the room at bowed heads and busy pencils I search for my notepad.  All I can find is a tablet of hot pink paper.  I can't use pink, the letters won't show up written in pencil and the teacher won't be able to read the words!
The sound of working pencils and ink flowing across paper fills the room as everyone else works. With Adrenalin fueled panic I frantically rummage around the classroom desperately searching for paper to begin the assignment.   I can't ask another student for paper!  Time is running out.  I look at the teacher standing at the front of the room.   He is glaring at me expressionless under dark rimmed glasses. 
    "I don't have paper!  I can't use the pink, the letters won't show up!"  I plead.  Still no paper is offered up in my desperation.  The teacher remains silent.

     "Time is up," the teacher announces a second later, "put down your pencils."
    "No!," I plead, "I didn't even get to start...I didn't have any paper."  I begin to cry.  I can't believe that I will get a failing grade on this assignment because I was unable to complete it, or begin it for that matter all because I had no paper and no one offered to give me any.  I am so upset because...I'm a writer.   The tears begin to trickle down my face as the students turn in their paper and leave the room.  I sob because I am a writer and I have published a book.  Then I awaken... and wipe the tears from my cheek.

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