The format of a play differs from the short story the stranger that came to town in several ways. A play is typically written in a script format, with dialogue and stage directions, while a short story is written in a narrative format. A play is meant to be performed on stage, while a short story is meant to be read. A play is usually divided into acts and scenes, while a short story is usually divided into chapters. A play typically has multiple characters, while a short story usually has one main character. Finally, a play usually has a more open-ended ending, while a short story usually has a more definitive conclusion.