Acceptable Journal Sample, but not "A" work.

Topic:  Write a story about a make-believe game – real or imagined – you played as a child.

“You’re it!” shrieked the five-year-old version of myself.  To the naked eye, it may have looked like I was running from nobody, but through the eyes of a five-year-old, there was another little girl playing with me.

“You got me!” I hollered.  I chased the little girl across the yard and through my giant sandbox.  Just when I thought I had her, she made a left at my brand new swing set and took off.  From somewhere in my body, I found a boost of energy and…

“I got you!”  I took off running and tripped.  Then I just lay there, contented, looking at the blue sky spotted with all of those fluffy clouds and the little girl went home.  The whole time my dad was weeding the garden; watching his little girl and smiling through it all.

--Rachel*, seventh grader, 2001

*Last name withheld to protect privacy.