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 Kevin B

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 mov...

23 comments 23

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“Inner Circles” by Evelyn Griffith

**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 hea...

15 comments 15

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“Attention All Students” by Anthony Jeff

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 so...

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“When Boredom Strikes” by Laarni Odsey

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 al...

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“Jude's game” by Bianca Wise

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 terr...

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“Instant Dismissal” by Chris Miller

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 ...

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“Taken” by Patricia Merewether

"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 buc...

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“Tales Told in Vain” by Ian James

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, runnin...

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“Old Biddy Gossip Garble” by Murray Burns

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 wit...

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

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 the...

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“Links of a Chain” by John Steckley

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...

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“Plaid Chairs and a Beige Suit” by Carly Kelly

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...

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

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 a...

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“The Eels in my Hovercraft” by Tanya Humphreys

I’ve stopped telling telemarketers about the eels in my hovercraft. Not because the lowly lifeforms of the pits of viable employment would not believe me, but rather, that they would. After all, eels are quite delicious, and extraordinarily hard to catch. These individuals with earpieces welded to their greasy yellow seashell ears sustain their earthly flesh vessels with rice and rice alone, and needless...

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“The Equity Issue” by Joe Smallwood

“That house looks so perfect when he’s not home!” says every neighbor whether they know it or not. Through my smiling teeth, I could say this too, cleaning miscreant leaves that blow west to east, from Todd’s front lawn right to my front door. We stop to take a rest, Sam, and I, before cleaning this leafy mess. Then we get into a discussion about who’s leaving. Uh going away.“Todd lived here twenty years and the police only had to come twice.” Harumphs Sam, pointing to the house in the middle of our respective, u...

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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 Kevin B

“Inner Circles” by Evelyn Griffith

“Attention All Students” by Anthony Jeff

“When Boredom Strikes” by Laarni Odsey

“Jude's game” by Bianca Wise

“Instant Dismissal” by Chris Miller

“Taken” by Patricia Merewether

“Tales Told in Vain” by Ian James

“Old Biddy Gossip Garble” by Murray Burns

“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

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

“The Eels in my Hovercraft” by Tanya Humphreys

“The Equity Issue” by Joe Smallwood

🌟 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

218

Contest entries

118

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Tired of MS Word?

Explore more writing prompt ideas: