Write a story about a piece of gossip that becomes more and more distorted as it passes from person to person.

Posted in Adults on May 26, 2023

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✍️ 33 stories

“Noah's Shark” by Story Time

Submitted to Contest #200

Martha, if I knew more than what I was telling you, I would tell you more. I’m telling you what I know, and all I know is what Gosha told me after Saresha told her after Saresha talked to Noah’s wife Na’amah spoke to her about it and told her to bring the turtles. I don’t know what Noah needs turtles for, but somebody told me--and I can’t say who--that Noah might be building a turtle farm. All turtles moving forward. The occasional salamander, but mostly turtles. Do you believe that? What is he going to do with all those turtles? I asked G...

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“Inner Circles” by Evelyn Griffith

Submitted to Contest #200

**This story holds themes regarding miscarriage, please read at your own discretion**“I heard that she was going to name it after her dead mother–”“I heard that she was never pregnant to begin with–”“I heard that her husband didn’t want it–”“I heard that his family wouldn’t let her marry him, so she planned the pregnancy–”"I heard that this isn't even the first time–"“I heard that he’s already left–”“I heard that she–”“I heard–”“I–”Lindsey wasn’t sure she heard anything at all. Just the mumblings of women with sagging bellies and breasts, wh...

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“Attention All Students” by Anthony Jeff

Submitted to Contest #200

Attention all students, this is Principal Zaid speaking. I’m making this announcement to confirm that one of your peers, Steven Hall in class 8a, has passed away due to the situation that took place earlier today. I want you to know that we are doing everything in our power to find out how this happened so it will never be repeated. I understand this is a rough time for you all and if you need to talk about it or help sort your feelings, please see the school’s guidance counselor. Attention all students, this is Principal Za...

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“When Boredom Strikes” by Laarni Odsey

Submitted to Contest #200

October 2, 2008 I don't know why I did it. Boredom, I think. We'd already played 100 poker games, and no one felt like sharing scary stories in the candlelight. Or maybe they really didn't have any to tell. Not everyone grows up in a house haunted by five different ghosts, after all. Daniel would say it was just me being mean, but whatever. I don't feel bad about it at all. The third floor is for girls only. No boys allowed. It's the rule. When I heard the guy's voice from the staircase, what else was I supposed to do? Ignore it, I gues...

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“Instant Dismissal” by Chris Miller

Submitted to Contest #200

Campbell McKenzie assessed his reflection in the plate glass wall at the entrance to the Department of Information Services and Security. Fresh from the gym and ready to lead, until four, when he must be ready to leave, for his hair appointment. He pulled out his phone and snapped a reflection selfie. The government crest and the acronym DISS were etched into the glass over his reflection, colourless but crisp like the watermark on a bank note. He turned his head and snapped another picture in profile. It was quickly cropped to landscape, fi...

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“Jude's game” by Bianca Wise

Submitted to Contest #200

TW: brief mentions of suicide and eating disorders "Doesn't Tina look pregnant to you?" said Jude, with her rather manly voice and wandering eyes. I can't recall my response, however I'm sure it was as monotone as one could be. The harshness of her question and the pure hatred in her tone, made me wonder why I ever chose to be her friend. The jabbing comments she would make at everyone's expanse, the terrifying looks she would give from across the room, the terrible Gardenia perfume she was over the moon for, even the small apple-shaped bi...

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“Tales Told in Vain” by Ian James

Submitted to Contest #200

NOWThe elevator doors part, propelling Benjamin and Alice into the hallway, both loaded down with grocery bags. They each lean to one side under the weight."You didn't forget the rice, did you?" Alice asks.Ben just grunts and points with his chin at one bag in particular. The one holding the rice. Alice beams, her grin a spontaneous burst of sunshine, and they exchange a glance of understanding, acknowledging neighbours with casual head bobs as they pass.Living in these flats, running into people is as common as daylight. The homes are neatl...

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“Taken” by Patricia Merewether

Submitted to Contest #200

"Fill your mind before you empty your mouth." ― Habeeb Akande Anna sucked in sweet fresh air through a small opening at the bottom of her prison's door. She listened to crickets and peeper frogs, wishing she was back in her cottage with her parents and little brother. This tiny, dark, stone cell only revealed a slice of daylight when someone brought her meal and changed her water bucket and privy pot. Even then, she was told to turn away and not speak. After the door closed, darkness again descended, and Anna felt for her food bowl. Fo...

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“Old Biddy Gossip Garble” by Murray Burns

Submitted to Contest #200

Old Biddy Gossip Garble (Some off-color humor.) Gladys: “Martha, how’s choir practice coming along? I hear the new Music Director that Rev. Barnes hired is quite charming.” Martha: “Yes, I guess, he’s pleasant enough.” Gladys: “And, if I can add, a handsome fellow.” Martha: “I guess, he’s ok.” Gladys: “What’s wrong? You don’t seem too pleased with him.” Martha: “Well, he doesn’t seem to know too much about religious music, and in just three weeks he’s already playing favorites. That conniving little sycophant Clara Matthews hasn’t stopped...

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“Did You Hear About Harriet?” by David B Fraser

Submitted to Contest #200

Harriet’s only real sin is that she was late for church every Sunday. She always has an excuse. Her arthritis was acting up. The car won’t start. The cat got out again. Harriet’s friends were complaining that the hot days of summer were here again and the old church wasn’t air conditioned. Lacking a budget to fix what they had, let alone buy new things, the ladies proposed to the Minister that services be pushed back an hour earlier so they could be done before the day’s heat wiped out the few remaining aging parishioners. The problem ...

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“Gossip In A Small Town Spreads Faster Than Wild Fires” by Lizzy Stevens

Submitted to Contest #200

Jackie Willows had a love for horses that had no end. She could ride all day long and never get tired. Growing up on a horse ranch was her dream come true. Her mother managed the ranch and booked events for the horses. They lived in a small town and that came with its own set of challenges. The plus side was that everyone knew everyone, so it was like one big family. The downside was that everyone knew everyone, and they were always in your business. If the townspeople were not talking to you then they were talking about you. When they were ...

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“Links of a Chain” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #200

Jeremy Forms a Link on a Gossip Chain I was the last one on the chain of gossip. I knew that as I had been present for the first link, and, if the truth be known, I had carelessly foolishly fashioned the second link myself, the one that got the ball rolling, to mix my metaphors. I had to put it to a stop. Eventually I did. It all began when I was in a long, slow line at the school cafeteria, and w...

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“Plaid Chairs and a Beige Suit” by Carly Kelly

Submitted to Contest #200

Georgette ran her fingers under the seat of the chair in the nurse’s office, as she thought about the answer she had just given the woman in the beige suit. “He might knock over a chair.” The underside of the chair was smooth, the opposite of the chairs at home. Georgette’s dad had made the four chairs that surrounded their plastic dining room table. They had plaid green and blue fabric stretched over a soft foam cushion, and black leather on the backs. The underside of the seat had big staples to secure the fabric, but they had rough edges....

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“Dropped” by Olivia Lake

Submitted to Contest #200

I didn’t know I was a legend. Years after leaving Our Lady of Perpetual Help, I had no idea that the story of how I stuck it to Father Michael was still circulating among the students. It made its way back to me the summer after I graduated from high school, when Sarah Green’s youngest sister found me lifeguarding at the local pool. Apparently, it was the new way that seniors welcomed incoming freshmen: telling them how I took Communion from Father Michael and threw the Eucharist on the ground. Or, how I threw the Eucharist on the ground a...

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“Coffee and Sun Tzu” by Cassandra Fan

Submitted to Contest #200

Samantha lounged over the café sofa as she dramatically sipped her latte. She grinned, examining her prey, watching him grow more impatient with each second. The art of creating tension was one Samantha’d practiced for years. There was no better way to control someone’s every action. But like any art, it required precision. Anything, from a misplaced word to the tiniest stammer could ruin everything. Sun Tzu once said one must be subtle to the point of formlessness, but fortunately Samantha was the goddess of subtlety. Before her sat a man w...

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Write a story about a piece of gossip that becomes more and more distorted as it passes from person to person.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 33 stories

“Noah's Shark” by Story Time

“Inner Circles” by Evelyn Griffith

“Attention All Students” by Anthony Jeff

“When Boredom Strikes” by Laarni Odsey

“Instant Dismissal” by Chris Miller

“Jude's game” by Bianca Wise

“Tales Told in Vain” by Ian James

“Taken” by Patricia Merewether

“Old Biddy Gossip Garble” by Murray Burns

“Did You Hear About Harriet?” by David B Fraser

“Gossip In A Small Town Spreads Faster Than Wild Fires” by Lizzy Stevens

“Links of a Chain” by John Steckley

“Plaid Chairs and a Beige Suit” by Carly Kelly

“Dropped” by Olivia Lake

“Coffee and Sun Tzu” by Cassandra Fan

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story that includes the line “my lips are sealed.”

Your character is known as the town gossip. One day, it comes back to bite them.

Write a story about someone trying to track down the source of a rumor.

Your main character has a secret superpower; the gossip they spread always comes true.

Contest #200

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

210

Contest entries

116

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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