Maria Blackman

“Little Fox” by Maria Blackman

Submitted to Contest #189

Little Fox crept out of bed as her mother left. Ma Ma walked so quietly, her footsteps were barely audible as she slipped out the back door. “Ma Ma,” whispered Little Fox, trying to watch her but Ma Ma had disappeared into the murky night air.  “Little Fox,” called Ba Ba. “Go back to sleep.” “Where is Ma Ma going?”  “She will be back in the morning. Now go back to sleep. It’s late.” Little Fox lay back on her bed, listening to Ba Ba’s snoring next to her. Ma Ma always did return by dawn, although Little Fox had never been...

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“The Shadow Puppet Theatre” by Maria Blackman

Submitted to Contest #176

Laurie’s mother found the shadow puppet theatre on the day that he was home sick from school. “What’s that?” Laurie asked as June pulled the box out from the closet. “It belonged to your great-uncle, Robert. I used to love visiting his house when I was little. You never knew what you would find.” She stood up, knees creaking. “Let’s get you some lunch, then we’ll have a look together.” June made toast for Laurie and tea for herself. A crow perched on the fence beyond the kitchen window, jutting its head up and down. June placed the lar...

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“Do not burn yourself on the oven” by Maria Blackman

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #133

I knew that the new apprentice was repulsed by me but he should have learnt sooner to fear me rather than mock me. My eyesight was nearly gone (which made no difference as I could tell the difference between cinnamon and cassia with just one sniff, could roll a piece of marzipan into a flower or a star or a mouse with just my fingertips to guide the shape) but I knew when he curled his lip. It was as loud as the clomping boot steps he made as he entered the confectionery shop as if he wanted all of Frankfurt to hear him arrive.   ...

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“A Pale Blue Dot” by Maria Blackman

Submitted to Contest #132

Caze and Rebexi’s family life had been harmonious, despite the challenges of living in the Blue Colony, but they were shaken to their respective cores when Zily came home from school crying. “Darling,” Rebexi said, as she stroked Zily’s hair. “What happened?” Caze hovered behind Rebexi, troubled by his daughter’s blotchy face and reddened eyes. Zily sniffled, burrowing her head into Rebexi’s lap.  “Jaro said…” Her voice was muffled. “Jaro said how come you don’t go to church on Starday? He said…” Caze stifled a gasp then spoke encou...

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“The Scrybe” by Maria Blackman

Alice’s face twitched slightly at the ding of the job alert from her laptop. She took a moment to stretch her arms overhead then behind her back to release the tension in her shoulders and neck. Hunching over a computer for hours at a time was turning her into a gargoyle - a shortsighted, vitamin D deficient gargoyle. It had been worse, of course, since the pandemic, as she was reduced to remote freelance work after she’d lost her job. It’s true that it wasn’t a company that she envisioned herself working at long term but it was a full-...

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“Once Upon A Time” by Maria Blackman

Submitted to Contest #86

Once upon a time, I was an ordinary girl. Well, ordinary in the sense that I woke in the morning, ate and talked and played during the daytime, then slept at night. I was (am), after all, the princess. As others have pointed out, my life is far removed from the ordinary lives of the common people. I like to believe that apart from my inherited wealth and royalty, I was (am, I am!) still an ordinary girl. But there must be some reasoning behind my fame and fortune, otherwise, why do I feature in these tales so often? How these years drag on...

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“Notes on the matter of the diet of Insectivorous plants of equatorial Africa” by Maria Blackman

The Lyons returned to London in the autumn of 1860. No one was sure what attracted public attention more; the plant specimens or the young African assistant that Professor Lyons had brought back. Master Smith was very young, perhaps not quite ten years of age, but Professor Lyons had been reassured that he would not miss his home or parents much. Indeed, what an honour for a child of the colonies, to be entrusted with such responsibilities.    The conservatory at Lyons’ House was famous amongst the various botanists, biologi...

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“The world within a shell” by Maria Blackman

Submitted to Contest #83

The white gold beach curved gently along the dunes. Bobbie and her dad scanned the wet sand before their feet, watchful for shells or crabs or other marine treasures. This was the favourite part of Bobbie’s weekend. She darted forward, picking something up from the beach as the water receded over her toes. A shell; spiralling, smooth and polished by the ocean’s caresses. “What have you found, Bobbie?”  She held the shell up for her dad to inspect. “That’s a good one. You could hold it up to your ear and listen to the ocean.” B...

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“The Pirate and the Mermaids” by Maria Blackman

Submitted to Contest #67

As the sun sank behind the horizon, Abigail looked out over the ocean, watching the white caps dancing on the waves. You could imagine all manner of things out there in the water. She would go for a walk along the beach in the morning with her grandpa and grandma and look for treasures. She turned to her grandpa and hugged him. “Will you do my story tonight, grandpa?” Grandpa John chuckled. “Oh yes, of course. Let’s get you into bed, lass.” Abigail’s grandparents lived next to the beach where the sand shone white under the Perth sun ...

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“The Neighbour” by Maria Blackman

Submitted to Contest #65

When the Lees returned from caravanning around Australia, the first thing that they noticed was that the house next door had finally sold. As they pulled into their driveway, they remarked on the changes the new owner had made. There was a new fence and gate around the property, though it was plain to see that the garden was still in disrepair. Jenny and Keith’s own garden had taken off since their respective retirements, and they hoped that it hadn’t fallen into disarray while their son had been looking after it. One of the neighbours fro...

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“Initiation” by Maria Blackman

Submitted to Contest #64

The house mother had called lights out only half an hour ago when the older boys came knocking on the door. Mark and his roommate, Michael, had not been asleep; both country boys, their first night away from home, they had been making tentative conversation about the farms they had grown up on, the small primary schools they had gone to, the younger siblings left behind. The conversation halted as they looked at the door. “Who is it?” Mark asked. “This is your unofficial, official welcome to Rochester Grammar,” came a deep voice, accompa...

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