Write a story in which a case of mistaken identity plays a pivotal role.

Posted in Funny on Jun 28, 2024

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✍️ 24 stories

“Your Animal Side” by Keba Ghardt

🏆 Winner of Contest #257

Eddie was sweating. He'd been told, before putting on the suit, to drink a ton of water, so much your stomach hurts, and he bet there was an extra ten pounds of perspiration in the cheap costume fur. It certainly smelled like it, but rule one of wearing the suit: never take off the head. "That's an automatic write up," said Rob. "If you do it, and Faye finds out you subbed in without approval, you are off weekend hours, my friend. Good luck sucking up Tuesday tips." "I get it, I get it," Eddie had insisted. "I'll stay away from French revolu...

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“His Big Break” by Howard Halsall

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #257

I couldn’t bear waiting at home all week, but I didn’t want to miss the call. They told me they were interested so the phone might ring at any time. Maybe they weren’t concerned about my availability or they were playing hard to get? I’ve had important roles before, of course. No sign of a romantic lead, but that could happen. Whatever part I’m playing, even if it’s a walk-on, I own it and make my mark. I’m a serious person and can’t help getting involved. But it’s funny, you know, because I never get the serious roles. Everyone remembe...

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“Not Every Stumper Can be Cute” by Daniel Rogers

Submitted to Contest #257

"By Xer-Bane! What are they doing?!" I shouted. Selwyn soldiers were chasing a poor, helpless stumper through the woods. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out why our allies would want to harm one of our loveable magic tree stumps. It infuriated me. They were shooting arrows, but the stumper dodged most of them by using trees as shields. I saw a few stuck in him, but they didn't slow him down. From my vantage point, I could see a small gorge hidden by a hill. If I could get there fast enough, perhaps I could hide the stumper in that gorg...

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“The Comedy of Nigerian Novelists” by Scott Christenson

Submitted to Contest #257

Janitor Tobe Adeoyo trudged through the dimly lit halls of 50 East 34th Street. The clock had just struck 8 pm, and he proceeded wearily from office to office, ready to clean any mess left behind by the editors, sub-editors, publicists, and literary agents of New York’s publishing community.Fourteen long years have passed since he left the small town of Otukpo in Eastern Nigeria to chase the American dream. Life in the Big Apple was like a bad plate of jollof rice: spicy, unpredictable, and occasionally burnt. One thing remained certain –Tob...

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“I am not John Fernsby” by Sophie P

Submitted to Contest #257

I should not be here. I should not be here. What are the chances of two blokes with the same name ending up in the same place at the same time? Sure, John isn’t all that original, but I’ve never met another Fernsby in my life and now there’s two of us at once? It had to be a joke. But sitting here in the makeup chair whilst the hair stylist calls me ‘sir’, it’s starting to feel like this isn’t a joke. I hadn’t planned this, honestly. All I did was win a radio contest, and when the radio host said: “Congratulations, John! Come on down to the ...

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“Two Gentlemen of Verona” by Debra Tillar

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #257

Two Gentlemen of Veronaby Debra Tillar In fair Verona town one festive day As flags and cheers and trumpets rent the air, Party boats festooned the waterway And singing crowds adorned the central square. The regiment had rallied in the street, Called to arms and ordered to defend Their northern border cities and defeat The French aggressors to the bitter end. With hope and pride the town folk celebrated The soldiers as they mustered for the cause. With kisses, handshakes, hugs unmoderated, Roses, garlands, fanfare, songs, applause. On th...

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“Doubles” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #257

The twinkling lights strung from the trees made the patio a magical experience. Light music from the acoustic trio filtered up to them. Mark and Sandy’s favorite restaurant, they always came for their anniversary and often throughout the year. While waiting for the hostess to escort them, Mark discreetly placed his hand on Sandy’s bottom. She swatted it away with a laugh. “Mark!”“I couldn’t help it. It begged me.”She flashed her smile. “Did I tell you how great you look in that dress?”“Yes. Thank you, again. Your hand confirmed it… Thought o...

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“Mistaken Identity.” by Joan Of Arc

Submitted to Contest #257

Note: This story contains themes of mental health and demonic possession.Mistaken Identity.""That defense is not going to get us anywhere."The guy in the suit started to pack his briefcase, defeat written all over his face after spending the next minute staring at the top of my head, desperately looking for my eyes, well, actually he was looking for a response that would make his life easier. Much of a lawyer you are. He let out a sight of disappointment, and look, now he's rolling his eyes at us, the poor dear. I feel sorry for him.Sorry......

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“A Princess By Any Other Name” by Anna Emm

Submitted to Contest #257

Inside the damp cave she can hear the dragon move. She holds her breath and closes her eyes against the tears. Her skin is sweaty from fear. She has never been this close to anything so big and deadly, and her body reacts instinctively. Please don’t let the dragon smell the fear, she prays as she slowly changes her position against the cold stone wall.Why did she ever agree to this? Maybe because it wouldn't have made much difference either way. She is a commoner, a working girl. And what is the life of a poor girl compared to the life of a ...

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“The Wrong Cake” by Alexandra Caulway

Submitted to Contest #257

“I’m picking up an order for Alex,” I said to the bright-eyed woman with light brown, curly hair standing behind the glass case. She was wearing candy-pink lip gloss and a fresh white t-shirt underneath a black-and-white striped apron. In the case were rows and rows of pastel buttercream cupcakes, frosted cookies, and chocolate truffles painted with colorful lines of icing. Carrie’s Cafe and Confections was a happy sugarfest, and I was not in the mood for happiness or sugar at the moment. I just wanted to pick up this cake, put it in t...

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“Misnamed Identity” by B. D. Bradshaw

Submitted to Contest #257

(Content warning: Theme of death, mentions of gore.)I was dead, that's all I knew.I simply continued to sit quietly, stilly, waiting for something to change, for memory to return. I feel I can no longer use my eyes, and yet it is as if their range has improved. I can see either wall of the chamber - a slick, misted stone cloaked in the shadows, lit briefly in the dim glow from a crack in the ceiling overhead. And forward, there is an entrance, though the path beyond is unknown to me, fully shrouded and dimmed. The air is cold, damp, and sour...

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“Claire's very good fortune” by Jim Cowles

Submitted to Contest #257

Claire’s good fortune1,682 words Claire was walking on air. Just a few nights before, she had met a guy who knocked her right off her feet. It all started when a few of her girlfriends took her to see a local musician, someone she had heard about from a friend, someone who had been performing at the “Back Door” for the last several weeks. She was taken back by him, and could not believe the immediate connection they had; it seemed as though he was singing every song for her, and they stared into each other’s eyes throughout the evening. Late...

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“Kyoto Sunset” by Colin Barry

Submitted to Contest #257

Sharon Stanton is exhausted. And this time, it wasn't just the jetlag. Being a location scout for Athena Pictures had its perks: traveling, mingling with movie stars, and attending red-carpet premiers dressed to the nines. At least, that is what she thought when she applied for the job.Over the last two years, Sharon was flying all over the world for romcoms, action-packed blockbusters, and the occasional period drama. Living out of two duffel bags and drug store brand toiletries differed from what Sharon had in mind. Of course, there was...

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“The Nose Knows” by Daniel R. Mangru

Submitted to Contest #257

The dirt under her multicolored fingernails left a trail down his lower back as Jane Sanderson methodically clawed her way down his spine. Her legs wrapped around his waist so tight that her thighs made it hard for him to breathe. It didn't help that the rest of her calves crossed over and locked at the ankles, keeping him firmly in place. She continued using her heels as spurs against his buttocks aggressively to signal him to keep the motion. Then it happened again for the fifth time in the span of two minutes and this time she would have...

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“A Problem With The Database” by Jake Fordyce

Submitted to Contest #257

John woke up and checked his phone. It was 8:11 a.m. If he hurried, he could still make it to work on time. He skipped his morning shower, threw on some clothes, and hopped in his car.At work, John waved to his coworkers on the way to his desk and they waved back. Some frowned at him, which was confusing. When he got to his cubicle he was surprised to see someone in his chair.“Hi. One minute,” the man said. He clacked around on the keyboard, but failed to login.John was still tired, and wasn’t sure why the man was there. He scanned him and s...

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Title: Your Animal Side

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Write a story in which a case of mistaken identity plays a pivotal role.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 24 stories

“Your Animal Side” by Keba Ghardt

“His Big Break” by Howard Halsall

“Not Every Stumper Can be Cute” by Daniel Rogers

“The Comedy of Nigerian Novelists” by Scott Christenson

“I am not John Fernsby” by Sophie P

“Two Gentlemen of Verona” by Debra Tillar

“Doubles” by John K Adams

“Mistaken Identity.” by Joan Of Arc

“A Princess By Any Other Name” by Anna Emm

“The Wrong Cake” by Alexandra Caulway

“Misnamed Identity” by B. D. Bradshaw

“Claire's very good fortune” by Jim Cowles

“Kyoto Sunset” by Colin Barry

“The Nose Knows” by Daniel R. Mangru

“A Problem With The Database” by Jake Fordyce

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story named after, and inspired by, one of Shakespeare's plays. Think modern retellings, metanarratives, subversions, etc.

Write your story in the form of a script, complete with stage directions.

Write a story about a tragic hero.

Set your story during rehearsals for a production of a Shakespeare play.

Contest #257

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

213

Contest entries

79

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: