You’re assignment: write a personal narrative essay with a maximum of 500 words. Maybe this essay assignment is for a scholarship, college entrance application, a job interview. Or perhaps you are a back-page columnist for VITALbyPOET magazine and your word limit for your “Out of Left Field” column is indeed 500 words. This is your task, but you don’t know where to start. What the heck am I supposed to write about? I need a 500 word essay example for inspiration! Why did I agree to be a back-page columnist for VITALbyPOET magazine!!?
First of all, calm down. A 500 word essay is not that big of a deal. There are endless narrative essay topics you can write about. And since YOU are the expert on your own life, it should be a piece of cake, right? You may ask yourself, “Can I write a 500 word essay about myself”? I sure hope so. But if you are still struggling for inspiration, fear not — I have a sample narrative essay for you! I channeled my friend Kermit the Frog. Of course, this is a FICTIONAL NARRATIVE ESSAY, but fictional frogs deserve college scholarships too.
This example is not intended to tell you HOW to write a 500-word essay or exactly WHAT to write about. It’s simply for inspiration. An idea generator. Something that can get your creative juices flowing. Please do not copy and paste the contents into your 500 word essay box for your college application. Unless you really don’t want to go to school at that particular college and you are simply applying because your Mom wants you to go there, but you have your heart set on joining the circus instead.
A Sample Narrative Essay: 500 Words of Wisdom From Kermit the Frog
Finding My Voice: A Journey of Self-Discovery
As I sit on my lily pad, reflecting on my journey, it’s incredible to think about how far I’ve come. From a small, unassuming pond to the stages of Hollywood, my life has been an adventure filled with challenges, triumphs, and self-discovery. I, Kermit the Frog, never imagined that a simple frog like me could make such a big splash in the world.
Growing up in the swamp, life was simple. My days were spent hopping from one lily pad to another, singing songs to the rhythm of the croaking chorus around me. Music was my first love. Singing along with my banjo was a way to express the joy and beauty of the world I saw. However, despite my contentment, there was a part of me that yearned for something more—an adventure beyond the murky waters.
My big break came unexpectedly when a talent scout from Hollywood visited our swamp. He was looking for fresh, new talent for a show that promised to be different from anything the world had seen: The Muppet Show. With a mix of excitement and trepidation, I auditioned. To my astonishment, they loved my performance and offered me a role that would change my life forever.
Moving to the big city was overwhelming. The bright lights, the constant noise, and the fast-paced life were a far cry from the serene swamp I called home. I often felt like a fish out of water—or rather, a frog out of the pond. However, I was determined to make the most of this opportunity. The support of my fellow Muppets helped me navigate this new world. We became a family. Each of us brought our unique talents to the table, creating magic together.
One of the most significant challenges I faced was finding my voice. In the swamp, my songs were a private joy, shared only with the other creatures. On stage, I had to learn how to captivate an audience, and to convey emotions through my performances. It was daunting, but it was also exhilarating. With every show, I grew more confident, discovering that my voice had the power to connect with people and make them feel something special.
But it was not all glitz and glamour. There were moments of doubt and insecurity. The pressures of fame sometimes felt overwhelming. But through it all, I held onto the values I learned in the swamp—kindness, perseverance, and authenticity. I realized that being true to myself was the key to my success.
Looking back, I am grateful for every experience, every challenge, and every triumph. From the quiet swamps to the bustling cities, my journey has taught me that dreams can come true. It’s not always easy being green, but it’s worth it. I have found my place in the world, my voice, and my purpose. And as I gaze at the stars reflecting on the water, I know that there are still many adventures ahead, and I’m ready to embrace them, one hop at a time.
What Does 500 Words Look Like?
Well, it looks like Kermit’s story above! (EXACTLY 500 words, excluding the title, thank you very much.) Hopefully this 500 word essay example doesn’t appear to be a daunting task to write OR to read. It may give Kermit that full-ride scholarship to North Seattle College (home of the Tree Frogs.)
What if you have to write a 300-word essay? Or an 800-word essay? (I find writing an 800-word essay easier than a 500-word essay.) You can find a link to a sample narrative essay of various word lengths from our friend Kermit below. Compare each to get a feel for how BIG of a story you can tell, how much to leave out, etc to fit specific word-count requirements.
250 Word Essay Example from… Kermit the Frog
300 Word Essay Example from… Kermit the Frog
400 Word Essay Example from… Kermit the Frog
500 Word Essay Example from… Kermit the Frog (you already read that above, I assume)
600 Word Essay Example from… Kermit the Frog
650 Word Essay Example from… Kermit the Frog
700 Word Essay Example from… Kermit the Frog
800 Word Essay Example from… Kermit the Frog