What if a word became a character in a story? Would “Mad” be angry all the time? Would “Extraordinary” be more special than others? We hear words every day and they create an image in our heads, or pull up memories. What if we wrote a story using words as our characters? Personification is a Literary Device where human qualities, emotions, or actions are given to inanimate objects. Read this story about Sophistication, Catastrophe, and Disorder. What can you learn about the meaning of these words just from hearing about them in a story? Can you make a connection to them from other literary characters? What are three ways you can describe Sophistication and Catastrophe?
Sophistication Meets Catastrophe
Sophistication was a special girl. She was worldly, understood many things, and wanted others to know it. She walked with her head held high as if her nose could touch the sky. Sophistication barely ever looked down, because she was too proud, felt too special, and knew way too much.
Until one day…
Catastrophe stormed in — careless, free, and unaware of those he crashed into. It was natural for him to roll, quake, or squish himself wherever he wanted to go. It did not matter whether there was an object, a thing, or a person near him. If it was his time to be where he wanted to be, it would be his way. Not that Catastrophe wanted to be rude. Sometimes it just came across that way to others. In an instant, Catastrophe suddenly bumped into Sophistication. And, suddenly, there was Disorder. “Why would you do this?” Sophistication challenged him. “Why would you cause me to lose my balance and fall?”
“It is natural to sometimes have bumps along your path. But, you can meet new friends along the way and maybe, just maybe, learn something new from them,” Catastrophe said with smug smile. “Meet my friend, Disorder.”
Sometimes when we use words in different and fun ways within our writing, it helps us understand and make a connection to their meaning. Try it sometime. Maybe you could take the story above and continue it with the new character named Disorder. Whatever you choose to do, have fun with this Write It! idea. As always, please send your great stories or poems to the Magic Dragon.