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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

Write a story about someone breaking a long family tradition.

Posted in Angst on Oct 26, 2022

Submissions are closed

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✍️ 170 stories

“Change of Destination” by Deborah Mercer

Submitted to Contest #57

   “This time I am putting my foot down,” said Irena. “This year we are having a change of holiday destination. And that’s that.” Her husband Tobias and their children, Jacinta and Joel, ten and eight, looked at her as if she had grown an extra head. They weren’t sure what shocked them most, the words themselves, or the way she spoke them. It wasn’t that Irena was any kind of doormat or shrinking violet (not that you ever actually saw a violet shrink) and anyone who thought otherwise was generally rapi...

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“The Turnaround” by Onur Yürür

Submitted to Contest #57

Cheers rose up from the small crowd. All in black t-shirts and jeans, six men were sitting in a café right next to the barbershop. They watched the groom walk.  “Ooo, Mr Groom!”  “Hey! Handsome guy!” Soon, one of the cheers evolved into a full sentence: “Look how handsome you are!” “Sure I am!” The groom approved. His entire being smelled orange cologne. And his harsh blue suit was in perfect tune with his freshly trimmed goatee. “You know, you still have time!” Finally, a complex sentence! There were “only three hours”...

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“Alywards Are Not Weak” by Cal Carson

Submitted to Contest #57

“The Aylward family is not weak.” Thyme had heard that all her life.  It was drilled into her head, over and over.   The Aylward family is not weak.  Thyme Aylward sat at her oak wood desk in the manor, studying spirit lore.  She yawned.  She had gotten up two hours before dawn to study.  But she didn’t regret it in the slightest.  Aunt Augusta peered over her shoulder, sparing a glance at her curling scripts analyzing and copying her texts.   The nefarious spirits of the Spirit Plane tend to...

3 comments 3
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“Warrior” by K A

Submitted to Contest #57

The blood of a warrior resides within me. For generations, my ancestors have fought in wars to restore peace. Against those that sought to destroy their wealth, power, virtue, and leaving shards of it buried in the sand. There, in the Motherland, two tribes went to war against one another instead of standing beside each other. No unity, no harmony. These were the Tribes of the Sun and Moon. The Motherland is a vast area based at the heart of the equator. Here, the sun's rays blessed the earth and fuelled the civilians' livelihoods, the riche...

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“Your Compliment Offends Me” by Joshua Scott Hotchkin Wordpress.dungherder.com

Submitted to Contest #57

  The following is an excerpt from an article which originally appeared at Shiptoast.com titled 'How An App Broke the Traditional Family' dated 11/17/2076.   ...all of these factors were already contributing to a rapid evolution in human breeding and interpersonal habits, it was a simple app that began the final unraveling of the traditional family that began with our prehuman ancestors.   Romander (romance reminder) was released at the tail end of 2020, which had already been a turbulent year for numerous reasons, and was ava...

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“Not What You Think...” by Silvia Bartolini

Submitted to Contest #57

We enter a living room through double French doors, satin curtains billowing in the ocean breeze. The beach is like a mural painting through the tall windows, framed by clear blue skies and palm trees. Inside, everything is white fabric and woven bamboo. Bright-orange, tropical-afternoon sunshine engulfs the space.A smartphone lies face up on the coffee table. A tinny voice, irritant like a flying mosquito, fills the room, the words indiscernible. A young man sits on the plump sofa, hands in fists as his excitement mounts. A low-volume footb...

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“The Betrothed and The Damsel's Nostalgia” by Mary Rodriguez

Submitted to Contest #57

On December 20, 2019 my friend invited me at the mask ball. At the mask ball. All the damsels are wearing their elegant gowns. During that night I was nervous. I sat near in the window while looking at the garden. And I saw a gorgeous damsel walking on a small bridge.  I went at the garden because I’m so curious to her. On that night she worn her mask. And her blue gown with a crown. During that night I worn red gown without crown. “Hi” “Hello” she looks into my eyes. And she introduced herself. “My name is Bianca Benet and you are” I i...

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“Lift, Honk. ” by Evan Rocker

Submitted to Contest #57

My latest endeavor failed so horribly there wasn't any amount of aspirin to help.  My blinds were drawn at the Elder Care Home. My roommate, Fern Louise Peabody, was waking me by exhaling across my face and thumping her thumb on my forehead. Her morning routine bugs me but not enough to complain at the nurse’s station. There are far worse elderly residents. I don’t want to replace Fern. I kindly remind her how much I prefer a silent wake-up call. However, Fern doesn't remember much. When she isn’t thumping me, she’s my friend ...

12 comments 12
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“Freedom to fire the flies ” by Tejas Chandna

Submitted to Contest #57

"Coruscating, as a thousand fireflies were worshipped, gorging on my father's ashes. He burnt himself to death as the tradition of Yasas say ' To burn to the glory of flies'. The flies gorged on his burnt parts and a thousand Yasas celebrated to weep for their king's death. Here people celebrate to weep on their King's death. The king or queen belongs to the royal family of Yasas. I am a Yasa too. My family has been royal and lavish in itself, the maximum life expectancy recorded to be of 40 years. My grandmother, Yahoti Yoshi, the longest-l...

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“Credit card ” by Sandra Claros

Submitted to Contest #57

- And at the end of the year, we take some days off during this high season, dear, as we have to rest from this kind of life we live, you know, we are always working  and working every single day – the grandma was saying to her new maid, a black young woman that was always chewing gum  - I see – snatching a pink bubble on her face - You deserve a little trip – chewing. Where are you planning to go this year ?  - We always ho to the beach, because it is so hot that days. And the kids love the water...

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“Reap the Harvest” by Cyndy Reads

Submitted to Contest #57

               The harvest moon hung low in the sky as the witch waited for the firstborn to arrive.                Long ago, the witch found shelter in the abandoned cottage. The cottage was nestled in the forest on the tall mountain. A hunter chose the same, hiding from a fierce thunderstorm and holding a wounded arm. The witch cured the man, asking only for the buck he’d bagged. The hunt...

5 comments 5
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“Nature's Baby Girl” by Samantha 😜

Submitted to Contest #57

My name is Amber Hawthorne. My family has an unusual tradition of everyone having a name inspired by nature. I made a bold move one day, and broke the tradition. Let me tell you the story. My boyfriend had just gotten me pregnant. When i found out, i excitedly went to tell him. I never expected what he said. “Get rid of it Amber,” he said. “B-but Hunter!” I exclaimed, “This is our baby, not some broken smartphone! I will keep it!” “If you keep it, I will leave you,” he said nonchalantly. I stormed off and began packing his clothes into a wal...

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“IUSTITIA NOVUM” by Michael Boquet

Submitted to Contest #57

Three rules. Drilled into him since he decided to put on the Halo and join his family and friends in their fight against crime, corruption, and the enemies of Church. Three rules that defined not only what it meant to be a hero, but also formed the very foundation of his family's values. Three rules. Superseded only by the main doctrine of their faith: "Follow the Lord in all things." Three rules, that had always been the bedrock of his family's mission. Three rules, that didn't seem to make much sense anymore. RULE 1: Do Not Kill.  ...

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“Leave or meet at 18” by S. Asad

Submitted to Contest #57

I could see her. Her posture, all tall from me and addition to it she was skinny, and slim. Her hair were thicker and longer from yesterday and her foot was too near to the deep lake I have been seeing since my birth. I could clearly see her. She was laughing, her straight big teeth were shown and she was insecure. She let the air brush her bare arms while she waved to me. Her silk red hair band shone on the behalf of sun which she tied on her head, parting her hair both ways. I could see her standing. I took step forward and realize how sma...

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“Because it Mattered ” by Kristine Murdock

Submitted to Contest #57

    “So what’s the deal?” My assistant is on the line, and seriously should be promoted. He does practically all the work--except for what I do. Which might just be the most important stuff… actually on second thought he definitely does the dirty work. Respectable. I only hope I can reach his level someday and repay him. But for now, being best friends is just going to have to work.  “It’s a bike shop on Finney and 6th. The owner just died of cancer, the city wants to shut it down and put something else in.” “You know wha...

3 comments 3
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