The story is about a young girl named Rachel who is celebrating her 11th birthday. On this day, her teacher Mrs. Price wrongly accuses her of owning an ugly old red sweater that has been left in the lost and found. Rachel knows it is not hers but cannot find the words to defend herself. She is humiliated in front of the class and begins crying uncontrollably. Later, another student falsely claims ownership of the sweater just to avoid trouble. Rachel is left feeling small and wishing she could be older and wiser to have handled the situation better.