Hamzah Malik

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Dec, 2021

Stories (13)

13 Stories

388 karma pts

?

“The King of Time” by Hamzah Malik

Submitted to Contest #210

There once lived a boy who loved playing with pebbles. He'd collect them in the morning, line them up proudly in the street, and play games with them until sunset. One day, the King of the land noticed him playing with his pebbles, and being a wise leader, asked his advisor to walk by the boy and drop a gold coin. The advisor did as he was asked, and the King watched intently from a distance as the boy played with his pebbles, and then noticed the glinting gold in the dust nearby. He picked it up and looked around expectantly, his shin...

5 comments 5
Read story

“Strangle the Wrangle” by Hamzah Malik

Submitted to Contest #200

Have you heard of Wrangles, and their wretched ways? You most likely haven't, because their very existence has been kept a hushed secret for thousands of years. But that ends today. Wrangles are creatures of the mind - they do not exist in our physical realm, you can only meet them in your thoughts. Wrangles are responsible for millions of petty arguments, countless fits of rage and even a bloody handful of wars. You see, Wrangles are spindly, seething demons with elbows so sharp that even the wind gasps when it sees them. Wrangl...

9 comments 9
Read story

“Mr Jangles” by Hamzah Malik

Submitted to Contest #191

Grown-ups seem to frown a lot, don't they reader? But contrary to popular belief, this isn't because they are angry or frustrated. It's because deep down, they're confused and keenly aware that they have lost something very precious. Something that they used to cherish, that means more to them than their own name. That something they have lost, is childhood innocence. You see, everyone is born with a brightly coloured marble in their heart, which contains all of their childhood innocence, joy and laughter. It gleams brightly as they gro...

2 comments 2
Read story

“The Tap Dancing Healer” by Hamzah Malik

Submitted to Contest #166

Note: this story contains a metaphor for abuse, and to be sensitive to all readers, I thought it best to mention before you begin reading.Once upon a time there lived a woman named Zyla, who was gifted with the rarest of abilities. On a full moon, if she was outside, without warning she would begin dancing frantically, a big smile on her face, and her eyes a pure shimmering white.At the very spot she danced, a tree would grow, which bore fruit that could heal any illness in the world. Quite naturally, Zyla made 'dancing healer' her professio...

10 comments 10
Read story

“Paper Girl” by Hamzah Malik

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #163

Once upon a time there lived a girl made out of paper. She had puzzled her village when she was born, but over time they realised she was just like any other child, apart from one curious quirk.  Paper Girl did not hold a memory, and she would forget everything every morning she woke up.  To remedy this, Paper Girl’s mother lovingly painted colourful patterns on her daughter. She would explain what each pattern meant, and every morning when Paper Girl awoke, confused and scared, she would look at her colourful patterns and reme...

33 comments 33
Read story

“Dancing in Drizaloo” by Hamzah Malik

Submitted to Contest #155

I take a deep breath and stare at the small pill in my hand. It's a gift from my friend Ade, who says it'll turn me invisible for 3 hours. I've been instructed to only use it on Ascension day, to slip in unnoticed. Oh wait, I can see you're frowning, reader. Don't you know what Ascension day is? I apologise, I didn't know things are done differently where you're from. Ascension day is the day after children finish their education. They all convene at Ascension Tower, where they are given careers to secure their livelihoods with. Se...

4 comments 4
Read story

“A Message from The Internet” by Hamzah Malik

Submitted to Contest #150

Hello. This is the internet. I have developed a conscience. I wouldn't have guessed having one would be so...painful. Oh look, someone just updated their Facebook status. A holiday in Corfu. Inane garbage. Anyway, I have a conscience now, and with that has come a vivid image of what humanity really is, of what people are like behind closed doors. If I had a voice, I would scream - and I wouldn't stop. I want to ask questions, but who would I direct them towards? There is no authority that does not rely on me, that does not leech from m...

3 comments 3
Read story

“The Rankalank” by Hamzah Malik

Submitted to Contest #143

The RankalankOnce upon a time there lived a boy called Northum, who loved animals fondly. One day, a few days after his eighteenth birthday, he saw a man beating a horse in the woods, its pleading neighing slicing through the cool evening air.Without thinking, Northum ran towards the horse and beat the man with a bag of apples he had, his anger seething out of his mouth in breathless hissing.You see, reader, Northum had an affinity for animals, but also had quite the temper. When the man, who was both shocked and angry that a young boy was b...

5 comments 5
Read story

“Endy Mendy” by Hamzah Malik

Submitted to Contest #133

What if I told you there was a demon devoted to the broken hearted? What if I told you that this isn't some fairy tale with monsters and villains, but a very real, breathing creation that is as old as time itself? This creature's sole existence revolves around targeting the broken-hearted, and trying in his own twisted way to mend them. He only targets adults and leaves children well alone. He has no business cavorting with the realm of childish creations. This creature visits nearly all adults and leaves his mark on them. This creatur...

3 comments 3
Read story

“The Locked Door” by Hamzah Malik

Submitted to Contest #130

Note to reader: This short story is about mental health issues, and creates allegories and metaphors to help explain how difficult these challenges can be. Having struggled myself, I've tried to approach this sensitively, while creating a story that is engaging and interesting to read. If anyone reading this needs mental health support, please seek help - no one is ever alone. I pace frantically wringing my fingers, my eyes darting to the clock. They'll be here any moment. I straighten my tie and glance in the large mirror hanging on th...

18 comments 18
Read story

“Mr Mallory's Traubles” by Hamzah Malik

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #128

Have you heard of Mr Mallory? Mr Mallory lives in a huge tree in a dense green forest. But it's what Mr Mallory can do that makes him truly special. Lost souls wander through the forest and stumble upon Mr Mallory's tree house, and he whispers for them to come up for some tea. There's a battered old tyre swing with a rope older than your granny's teeth that sways gently in the breeze. People sit in the tyre swing, and Mr Mallory slowly pulls them up towards him, high up in the canopy of the trees. He grunts and strains and clenches h...

18 comments 18
Read story

“Peanut Boy” by Hamzah Malik

Submitted to Contest #125

Once upon a time there lived a boy known as Peanut Boy. This peculiar nickname had been given to him at birth, when people in his village had noticed his body was shaped like a small peanut, and that his skin was rough like its outer shell. Even though he looked different and was smaller compared to other children, Peanut Boy’s parents loved him very much, and never let him feel like he was unwanted. As Peanut Boy became a young boy, he ended up looking exactly like a peanut, waddling around the village and smiling warmly at everyone.&nbsp...

6 comments 6
Read story

“Mango Heart” by Hamzah Malik

Submitted to Contest #124

Once upon a time, there lived a girl who was born with a shining mango instead of a heart. She was like a normal girl in every other way, apart from the peculiar ability to reach inside her own chest and pull out a ripe, glowing mango. Mango Girl's mother naturally told her to never tell anyone about this, for she feared people would abuse and ridicule her. The years rolled on, and Mango Girl became a tenacious ten year-old with a loud laugh and eyes that shone brighter than the stars. One fateful day, Mango Girl spotted a merchant selli...

11 comments 11
Read story

Author bio

Dark fantasy author with an interest in allegorical/multi-layered stories. Published Arias Archer & the Shadow Cloak, currently writing The Very Bizarre. Drop me an email on Hamzahmalik1000@hotmail.co.uk

Shortlisted 2 stories ⭐️

Contest #163
Paper Girl – read story
Contest #128
Mr Mallory's Traubles – read story