Write a story about a character trying to find a way to express their gratitude to someone.

Posted in Character on Jul 26, 2024

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✍️ 61 stories

“THANKS, NO THANKS!” by Frances Goulart

Submitted to Contest #261

Frances.goulart@gmail.com THANKS, NO THANKS “Thank you? Are you joking? You expect me to be grateful to you. Really? You, you kidnapped me. You took me out of my bed at midnight. You must have because and I don’t fly. How did I get here? No, don’t tell me. A princess doesn’t travel in a sleeping gown. This not a proper outdoors dressing gown. And where are my slippers? “. “Those slippers came from my father the King. There, I am grateful to him for those slippers but not to you! He will be here to rescue me before you can put the kettl...

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“Symbiotic” by Nox Koven

Submitted to Contest #261

``Are you comfortable?`` I heard him ask me. By the sound of his voice I knew he was still lingering in the archway that led into the hall and also the room that had been made prepared for me. I wanted to answer him, but I couldn't find my voice. My eyes stung with the warm-swell of tears attempting to spill down my cheeks. This room was spacious, much more area than I would need, or would require. The floors were a rich marble with silver lining, polished to the mockery...

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“Peril in London” by Day Williams

Submitted to Contest #261

Peril in London I loved my girlfriend, Regina. We had been together for two years. I wanted to show my gratitude to her. She had taught me how to paint better, how to write better, how to kiss better. She had made me feel like a prince in his castle. I knew little before she came along, I was humbled to admit. Yet she flew to England to study literature, and I missed her so much my bones ached. I stared out the window for hours on end. Now I had only a few days before classes started for the semester. If I missed one class, I would b...

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“Torrent” by John Graham

Submitted to Contest #261

God, how do I make them understand? I needed to thank him…somehow. Is he a him? I really hope I'm not misgendering them. I'll have to learn how that all works…wherever we go. Jesus, how can this be real? I should rest. But they might leave. What if I never see him again? No, I need to do this now. I have to thank him for saving my life.***It had been six months of staying indoors. The weather advisory reports were stark. All over the world, people were dying of heatstroke. Entire cities had been displaced because of the rising temperatures. ...

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“The Perfect Gift” by Lorra Spitzer

Submitted to Contest #261

Through the pristine glass of the kitchen sink window, Alexis spotted her elderly neighbor, Mr. Jenkins, teetering among the tangled vines and overgrown vegetation of his forgotten flower garden. It had been a month since he had patiently nursed her back to health. Though she thanked him, the words felt like a mere chuckle compared to her depth of gratitude. “What do you need, my old friend?” she pondered as she placed the final cooking pot on the white drainboard. Suddenly, Mr. Jenkens collapsed to the ground. Without hesitation, Alex...

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“The Enigma of Heroism” by Chris Baird

Submitted to Contest #261

Phil Conklin was eighty when he died. His death hit Joe McManus like a sledgehammer blow to the stomach. For forty years, McManus joked that Phil would live forever. In his heart of hearts, he believed it was true. A two-year battle with lung cancer reduced Phil to a shell of the man he had once been. When Joe visited him two days before he died, Phil’s white hair was so thin it resembled the remains of a spider web, blown a...

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“Immortal Links” by Kyle Van Camp

Submitted to Contest #261

It was time. It was time for her to take her hand off the wheel and open the door. It was time to get her feet to move. It was time to take that first step, to feel the solid sidewalk under her heels. She could feel her hand tremble as she touched the door handle. She pulled away suddenly and turned back to look straight down the street. It was a beautiful place. A suburban neighborhood with all the charm of the American dream. She could tell some of the neighbors spent almost too much time on their yard. The grass was well manicured in very...

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“To The River He Went ” by Molly Milsom

Submitted to Contest #261

Limbs flailed as the little boy desperately tried to keep his head above the water. The sand bank had dropped unexpectedly and now his non-existent swimming skills were the only thing keeping him from drowning. The little boy cried out, panicked. Water splashing into his eyes, burning. His arms slapping the water. “Help me!” He said, gargling water in the process. His heart was beating so fast in his chest, as if the organ was trying to keep the boy afloat itself. As if the heart was saying “Look here! If i beat fast enough perhaps...

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“Tuna Cans” by Horace Auldwyn

Submitted to Contest #261

It was dawn now, a time when despair could not yet contend with the promise of first light. Bright rays squeezed through the attic window and cast Arthur’s face in a shadowy crosshair. Thoughts began to trickle between the thick debris of sleep. Beneath his eyelids, he began to stir. Something was close. The dam burst, sending a bolt through Arthur’s system. In an instant he took cover behind a pile of boxes, hitting his head on the sloped, wood-planked roof. Beyond the glass, a four-legged silhouette peered into the attic and paused for a l...

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“Thank You Notes” by Cheryl Pope

Submitted to Contest #261

Thank You NotesBy Cheryl PopeDear Aunt Sally and Uncle Ray,Thank you for coming to our wedding and for the twenty-five dollar check. We’ll put it to good use. Joel enjoyed meeting you. He’s never met anyone from Hoboken and he loved your accents. You’re right, it would have been lovely to have Sicilian Pizza at our reception. We’ll have to remember that for our next party. You both looked great. I loved Uncle Ray’s new toupee. So realistic!Your niece, #Dear Mrs. Johnson,Thank you for playing the organ at o...

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“Friendship Matters” by Dom Murph

Submitted to Contest #261

My name is Ria. I'm British Asian with Mauritian roots, the founder and CEO of HR Matters. People tell me I have everything, brains, beauty, love and wealth. But what people don't see is the hard work and sacrifice that's cost me the best years of my life. I open the door to my office, and there’s a huge vase of vibrant, sweet-smelling flowers sitting on my desk. “What the?” My first thought is Don, and my heart swells. “Hope you don’t mind.” I turn around and see Zoe, my new PA, standing behind me in the corrido...

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“Max & Walter” by Cristina Ochoa

Submitted to Contest #261

“Shmmmenah, hummenah.”Scribble scribble.“Blast it, gnast it.”Scribble scribble.“For the love of—knock me sideways with a feather and tickle my nose! That’s it.”Walter was hunched over the small table in his kitchen, scribbling away on his pad of paper.He had been sitting in that same spot for over an hour—not moving, not eating—trying to find the best words to thank his gardener. Well, he wasn’t his gardener, per se, but rather the young man who came by to take care of his garden every five days or so. Walter knew it was an odd request when ...

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“Mr Stains” by Susanne Howitt

Submitted to Contest #261

In "Ledger Legends Co." Samantha watched as Mr Thompson rambled on in his usual abrasive manner during their weekly meeting. His praise for her work seemed clouded with a condescending tone that raised her hackles. Was he simply trying to manipulate her, to keep her on her toes?She couldn't help but wonder what his true motives were. Did he value her contributions, or was this just another ploy to maintain control over his employees? His erratic behaviour and unpredictable moods left her on edge, never sure where she stood.'Yeah, probably tr...

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“the thank you dialogue” by Nico Whiteford

Submitted to Contest #261

I want to tell you something, I want to tell you that I’m sorry, that I choked, that I couldn’t get it out. I feel like there’s something wrong with me sometimes, sometimes I know it, I want it, I feel it, but I can’t get it out, out of my mouth. Hey are you there? Are you listening?I always am girl, Only if you choose to hear. Go to bed, It’ll rest easier tomorrow. I don’t think it’ll come out so hard if you lie down. I think that there’s a part of me that wants to be like you, have the skills that pull on my...

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“Ode To Dakota” by Elen Sargsyan

Submitted to Contest #261

The table jolted as you set my water on it. I examined its legs for poor craftsmanship but soon noticed your rueful grin betray your clumsiness. I knew then that anything you did, I could forgive. My dear Dakota, I write you this letter, despite its unlikelihood of ever reaching you, to thank you for forever changing the track of my thoughts and connecting them all back to you. I thank you for the words you have whispered against my ear that still linger during sleep. At midnight I race through countless forests and cities in hopes of ...

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Write a story about a character trying to find a way to express their gratitude to someone.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 61 stories

“THANKS, NO THANKS!” by Frances Goulart

“Symbiotic” by Nox Koven

“Peril in London” by Day Williams

“Torrent” by John Graham

“The Perfect Gift” by Lorra Spitzer

“The Enigma of Heroism” by Chris Baird

“Immortal Links” by Kyle Van Camp

“To The River He Went ” by Molly Milsom

“Tuna Cans” by Horace Auldwyn

“Thank You Notes” by Cheryl Pope

“Friendship Matters” by Dom Murph

“Max & Walter” by Cristina Ochoa

“Mr Stains” by Susanne Howitt

“the thank you dialogue” by Nico Whiteford

“Ode To Dakota” by Elen Sargsyan

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a creative nonfiction piece about something you're grateful for.

Write a story about a cynic who has been told to start a "gratitude journal," and does so — begrudgingly.

Write a story about an unsung hero.

Write a story in the form of a series of thank you cards.

Contest #261

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

300

Contest entries

97

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: