Picture this: A high school Spanish class having a special event with various dishes from Latino and Hispanic cultures. Music playing ranging from Salsa to Mariachi. Piniatas and other decorations are about the room conveying the Hispanic and Latino culture. Simply wonderful.
As I moved about the room passing out food, the teacher asked me about my Thanksgiving trip. Not quite certain what she was talking about, I said that I had not been on a trip but would be making one soon. I never mentioned my destination. She continued her inquiry.
Teacher: I thought you went home to Brazil.
Me: Where?
Teacher: Arman said that you went home for the holidays to visit your parents. I had the students to write a paper about how they spent their Thanksgiving.
Me: He told you that we went to Brazil for Thanksgiving? (I slowly looked at my son who was now slouched down in his desk with his hood pulled over his head.)
Teacher: Yes. It is so cool that you were able to go see them. I hope to travel there one day. I love Brazil.
Me: Well, you are not the only one. What were the specific directions for this writing assignment?
Teacher: I told the class to write a short essay about how they spent their holiday. He said that you went home.
Me: I was home. Here in Savannah. I have never been to Brazil and I am not from Brazil. Neither are my parents. (I looked at my son again and he was trying hard to ignore me by turning around to a conversation taking place next to his desk.)
Teacher: Sad. It was such a great story.
Me: That is exactly what it was. A STORY!!! Wait a minute. Did you tell him that this assignment was to be FACT or FICTION?
Teacher: I didn’t know that I had to use that as a disclaimer.
TheWRITEaddiction.com 
Leave a comment