Set your story in a playground: two characters are having a serious conversation while on the seesaw/in the jungle gym/on the swings.

Posted in Angst on Apr 12, 2024

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✍️ 82 stories

“Maria and the Old Man ” by Ellie Northrop

Submitted to Contest #246

"How much higher can you go?" asked the old man. "Until I make a full circle!" Maria yelled over the roar of the wind in her ears. With each kick of her legs, Maria swings higher and higher on the swing. She can't get enough of the wind that hits her face and whips her hair around. Maria can't fight the smile on her face. The playground is surprisingly empty on a Friday afternoon. The skies are cloudy and grey, and a thick fog surrounds it like a barrier that protects those inside. Maria started to slow down, feeling an ache in her legs. Eac...

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“Sharp or Dead or Biting” by D'Spencer Luyao

Submitted to Contest #246

Trigger warnings include: grief, implied past abuse. The moon was a grin that night, and the wind was the sharp gnashing of its teeth. We stepped willingly into that bite anyway, Milo without a jacket. He would be fine for a while, and then he would fight against shivers for the rest of the night. I had on a long-sleeved shirt underneath my jacket, and that would be plenty for me when I inevitably handed the jacket over to Milo. ...

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“Life's Ups and Downs on the Swing Set” by David Moyer

Submitted to Contest #246

DISCLAIMER: This is a NOT a true story. But it could be; in fact it is based on one and it may hit really close to home for a few of you readers as it does for me. The true story I based this on went VERY LITTLE like this and had a MUCH WORSE ending, so I suppose this is the way I wish the true story had played out, in hindsight. Of course I've changed the names so as to avoid embarrassing or incriminating any actual people. Anyway... I like to call this a "true enough" story.BANG! “Awwww, OUCH, my ass!” I started laughing immediat...

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“Loser's Swing” by Q.L. Vincent

Submitted to Contest #246

How many of you had an imaginary friend?I was a latchkey kid growing up. My father served in the army overseas, and my mother took up a job at home to further support us. My mother didn't return until a couple of hours after school let out, so I'd be alone for a good while. I was an only child and had trouble making friends, so this compounded my loneliness.There was a playground about two blocks from my house that I'd frequent after coming home from school. I could get there faster by cutting through a small (but thick) forest clearing behi...

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“Syrup Stains” by Diana Lapaix

Submitted to Contest #246

**Trigger Warning: Mental Health, Physical Violence**_ As per usual, Dr.Marigold was eager to start our session, “Okay, whenever you’re ready. The last time we met, you mentioned you wanted to tell me about the first time you recognized you are oppressed.” Here goes nothing, “I’m ready.” Gently, she instructs me, "Jane, I want you to ease into a state of deep relaxation. With each word I speak, feel your body becoming more at ease. Imagine a gentle wave of relaxation flowing through you. This is a sanctuary, a place where you can release all...

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“The Slide Between Worlds” by Noted Moments

Submitted to Contest #246

The playground was deserted, a silent witness to the fading day. Curtis and Jane sat on a creaky swing set, their hands intertwined yet their hearts worlds apart. The conversation took an unexpected turn. Both spouses were hovering over the prospect of bringing a new life into a world that seemed to be crumbling. Jane was unable to look Curtis in the eyes; she was hurt and misunderstood. "I just don't know, Curtis." Jane's voice was low and meek, lost in the evening breeze. "The news, the chaos, so much death... it feels selfish to even con...

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“Up and down” by Jae Po

Submitted to Contest #246

“He killed a man.” “Oh, come on, that was years ago!!”“Okay, and? It still happened,” said the first man on one end of the purple, rusted seesaw, as he forced his body down, propelling the second man into the air, his legs dangling. “And pretty serious that it did…”“But it was out of self-defense,” said the second man, pushing himself downward, as the first gave way some of his resistance and went up. This continued as they continued. Although they’ve played this many times before, it somehow is still just as exhilarating and inten...

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“The Dandelion ” by Rae Shue

Submitted to Contest #246

TJ Allens sat alone on a swing, slightly swaying, at his favourite park, thinking. His dad had just gotten orders and it was just before TJ was due to start high school. He watched the other kids around him, playing and laughing as though nothing was changing. That life, as he had known it, was being turned upside down. He sighed as he saw his mom walking over to him. He turned his music up a little louder in a poor attempt to discourage his mother from talking to him. Harper Allens sat in the swing next to her son, ...

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“Imaginary Friends” by Laura Barnes

Submitted to Contest #246

TW: Bullying, themes of mental health and eating disorders.“Stop following us,” Marnie, the most popular girl in Mrs. Whatshername’s first grade class, snapped.Poppy’s eyes widened. Her pants were a little too long, and her pink t-shirt didn’t match her bright green jacket. Marnie by contrast, had been dressed in an expensive autumn-themed ensemble. Her curated perfection only made Poppy stand out that much more. “I just want to play,” Poppy said.I smiled to myself. Poor Poppy. So desperate for friends, yet too inept to make them.Her parents...

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“Chained Together” by Joan Wright

Submitted to Contest #246

The cool air was refreshing after the heat of the summer day. Being free from the ground lifted Alice's spirits. It had been a long day working in the factory. It paid well, but boredom always set in after the first ten minutes of her shift. If I'm going to make something of myself I have to go to college. If I go to college I have to have money. So boredom would have to be put up with until September.Alice glanced at her watch. Remi was supposed to be here fifteen minutes ago. A smile crossed her face as she thought of her friend. they had ...

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“Marry me under the chestnut tree” by Laura Camacho Frias

Submitted to Contest #246

Bea was my best friend at school, a little red-haired princess look-alike everyone loved. I was never as popular, pretty, or welcomed as she was, but she chose me as her best friend. We sat together in class and played together in the playground. Every day, arriving at school was a party because I would see her, and my day would immediately feel better until, one day, something changed in sixth grade. It was a regular autumn day. It was slightly cold, but not enough to wear our jackets, which we had left on the ground before jumping into our...

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“Through A Childs Eyes” by Caity G

Submitted to Contest #246

This story contains themes of child death and implied abuse. "When can I see my parents?" Detective Clements stopped a few feet behind the swing set, studying the small boy that sat motionless on the right swing with his back to him. The detective scratched at his beard, sighing. This wasn't going to be an easy conversation. These kinds of conversations were never easy, even with adults, but it was a particular kind of torture with kids. "In a bit, Jacob. I need to talk to you first. Can I ask you some questions?" The boy nodded, and Clement...

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“Binny and Toody vs. The Monster” by Maura Morgan

Submitted to Contest #246

Binny and Toody vs. The Monster A Short Story By Maura Morgan My backpack, loaded with books, nearly pulled me over. I hated it. It was uncomfortable on my rail-thin body and dragged on the ground even when it wasn’t filled. Mama said I should use it to help me fit in at school. I laughed when she said that: how could I, a googly, eight-eyed kid with four arms and a trunk for a body and legs with suction-cupped tentacles instead of feet that crawled, more or less—ever fit in at a school filled with humanoids three feet taller than me? I didn...

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“The Most Dreadful Thing” by L.B. Goldman

Submitted to Contest #246

Esmerelda Lopez stares at the hand holding her own as it leads her onto the playground. Any onlookers would identify the look as one of amazement and elation.The day is a nice one, pleasantly warm with an occasional breeze that hints at the cool fall to come yet doesn’t warrant long-sleeves. The sky is a brilliant shade of blue mapped with puffy clouds. The sun is shining but not blazing like it was just yesterday; Virginia is experiencing its between-seasons-season where the weather can’t quite decide whether it wants to tan by the swimming...

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“Kings of the Jungle Gym” by Natalie Ballestero

Submitted to Contest #246

The sun beat down upon the black asphalt of the playground where the many ages of children mingled during their last afternoon recess. The sounds of basketballs bouncing, and chatter filled the warm air. Off in the distance sat the many jungle gyms that the children didn’t bother to use anymore, and sitting upon the very top of one were two young boys. They sat upon their perch looking down upon the playground as if they were the kings of the domain that lay below them. Their faces showed their shared boredom of their cur...

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Set your story in a playground: two characters are having a serious conversation while on the seesaw/in the jungle gym/on the swings.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 82 stories

“Maria and the Old Man ” by Ellie Northrop

“Sharp or Dead or Biting” by D'Spencer Luyao

“Life's Ups and Downs on the Swing Set” by David Moyer

“Loser's Swing” by Q.L. Vincent

“Syrup Stains” by Diana Lapaix

“The Slide Between Worlds” by Noted Moments

“Up and down” by Jae Po

“The Dandelion ” by Rae Shue

“Imaginary Friends” by Laura Barnes

“Chained Together” by Joan Wright

“Marry me under the chestnut tree” by Laura Camacho Frias

“Through A Childs Eyes” by Caity G

“Binny and Toody vs. The Monster” by Maura Morgan

“The Most Dreadful Thing” by L.B. Goldman

“Kings of the Jungle Gym” by Natalie Ballestero

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story that includes the phrase “It’s all fun and games…”

Write a story about someone participating in a seemingly innocent game that suddenly takes a turn.

Write a story about someone who takes a joke way too far.

Write about a character who treats everything like a game and struggles to be serious when they most need to, or vice versa.

Contest #246

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

245

Contest entries

99

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: