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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#100: Breaking Bread

One of the most intimate things you can do with someone is sit down to eat together. The idea of friends and foes, families and strangers breaking bread has been a recurring theme in art and literature for a very long time. It’s something that can bring us together against the steepest of odds; to quote Oscar Wilde, “after a good dinner one can forgive anybody, even one's own relations”. But things don’t always end quite so harmoniously — food fights, anyone?

This week, we’re reflecting on the joys (or pains) of eating together or making a meal. Whether the dinner table is a place for communion or conflict for your characters, I look forward to sitting down to a hearty portion of food-themed stories with you. Bon appétit!

This week's prompts

Start or end your story with two characters sitting down for a meal.

Middle School – 264 stories

Write a story where a meal or dinner goes horribly wrong.

Thanksgiving – 201 stories

Write about a group of strangers — or people who know each other, but may as well be strangers — eating together.

Fluff – 152 stories

Write about a character preparing a meal for somebody else.

Fluff – 157 stories

Write a story that involves a secret or magic ingredient.

Halloween – 116 stories

Stories

“My greatest pain” by Christopher Lane

Submitted to Contest #100

The story was told of long ago. Behind walls of stone and bars so cold. Two men sat at tables face to face. Same in age but not of race. One man broken in heart and soul. The other of leg and one arm not shown. Each sitting alone there in his cell. And then there rings the dinner bell. They meet at their tables divided by steel. And begin to converse over their meals. “What brings you in here my boy?” Says the one of heart destroyed. “I see your leg hurt and your arm gone.” The other man sat up with the longest groan. ”You see my love won’t ...

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“When Aldric saw his Dad at the dinner table ” by Manzar I

Submitted to Contest #100

So you're taking cappuccino or a cold brew coffee? A cappuccino would do, my cupcake!, Aldric replied Come on stop being so cute, i'll get our drinks, Liam said. Here, cappuccino for you and a latté for me, what would be more good than two lovers enjoying the sunset in the beautiful garden and some coffee, am i right Aldric? Abostely Li, I just love this beautiful evening, its just me, you and the birds chirping a song for us! Aldric I just Love you! I Love you too Li! After they had their drinks, they fell into comfortable silence nd jus...

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“Le Petit Jardin” by Jubilee Lubov

Submitted to Contest #100

“A meal is a simple thing, really. Just a combination of ingredients that happen to work well together, that are then put onto a plate for someone to eat. That’s it,” She closes the book and tosses it onto the ever-growing pile of papers next to her desk. Sighing, she lets her head fall into her hands.“Don’t fall asleep,” she reminds herself.She’s overworked. That’s the truth of it. The number of gray hairs on her head seems to be increasing, and she wears makeup to cover tired eyes. Her skin is stretched slightly too tight over aging bones,...

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“Why Not Me” by Random Writer

Submitted to Contest #100

There is nothing special about me. I can’t sing or dance, or draw, or paint or do anything really. I’m not wildly beautiful or smart or good at sports. I don’t have many friends or any special talents either. I’m okay with that though. At least I think I'm okay with that. I don’t have to be any of those things to be special. Right? For people to love me? And hey if not, there is always room for improvement? Or at least that's I thought. I was sure of it, but I guess it's different when "SHE" exists. You’re always hearing someone talk about “...

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“Truth For Breakfast” by Avery Herrmann

Submitted to Contest #100

It was a typical morning. I woke up to the fresh smell of my dirty laundry, the birds chirping happily outside my window, and my dog snoring on my pillow. I stepped out of bed into my enormous fancy bedroom. My long brown hair fell in front of my face. My stomach grumbled, a sharp pain spread through my body. I groaned and stumbled to my walk-in closet. I slipped on some clothes and brushed my hair. I left some water and food next to my dog, Cupcake, and walked out of the room. I hopped into the elevator as quickly as I could. I went do...

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“Lydia and the Three Tenors” by Lydia Brattin

Submitted to Contest #100

Quite a few years ago, there was a man named Aaron, who usually spent his summers by himself in a humble Sicilian vacation home. He was part of the trio “The Sicilian Tenors” with his friends Elio and Sam, and they were planning to have a party at Aaron's house, which would be celebrating the release of their most recent album. On the day they were supposed to arrive, Aaron got a call from Elio and Sam, who said they were in town and ready to visit him. Since it had been quite a few months since they last saw each other, Aaron arranged to sp...

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“In Search of Popcorn” by Raymond Ogilvie

Submitted to Contest #100

“We have chips, cookies, and a vegetable tray for when you’re sick of the other two.” “And you have the movie?” Malakai held up a box, it’s cover filled with contrasting blacks, reds and whites. “Yep. 1976 Slasher Revolution Quartet, just like you asked.” “Did you make popcorn?” He was silent for a second, “Popcorn. Did you ask me to make popcorn?” “Seeing as we’re watching scary movies, I thought the implication was clear.” his fastidious boyfriend, Onyxian, said. “I don’t think we have popcorn, but I’ll go check.” The cupboard whine...

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“My Favorite” by Anuji Withana

Submitted to Contest #100

I slowly descended the flight of stairs. It was a little past 6pm as I came in from work, much early today to not miss our day. I wanted a surprise for her. Earlier today, the morning conversation with her, had taken an unexpected turn into an argument just before we were running late for work. And then, neither of us brought it up during the day, except for the normal formalities of a bill payment and a couple of groceries, she called me for. She was not home yet. She was supposed to be later than 7, so I had enough time. I had ...

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“Memories” by Lily Rama

Submitted to Contest #100

A heavy silence drifted in the air and the scene felt like it was part of an old time movie, the ones that are in black and white and silent as a mouse. Jack glanced at Peter, who sat across the table. The boy's eyes were downcast, and he moved his fork around his plate, which was piled high with spaghetti. It had been an hour and he hadn't eaten a single bite.Jack glanced at the empty wooden chair next to Peter. Lila should've been sitting there. An arrow splintered Jack's heart and crystal tears welled in his eyes. She should've been sitti...

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“2021 Is My Year” by Masooma Shabbar

Submitted to Contest #100

Daniel was busy cooking up a storm in the kitchen. He was over the moon and back. He felt as if nothing could go wrong and that finally his life was taking off. He had been selected for Masters at the University of his Dreams, his application for financial aid was approved and he had just received the big promotion that would mark the turning point of his career. His side hustle was also booming and for the first time in his life, his income was more than his expenses. And the best part of it all? He was able to celebrate all this happiness...

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“Strangers again. ” by Lilli Follett

Submitted to Contest #100

It's been a whole year since the last time I've spoken to or seen any of them. At one point we were all closer than your fingers when youre holding hands with someone. But that spring turned into summer and made it hard for us to bounce back. Everything took a turn for the worse. Let me take you on a trip to where it all started. The previous summer a group of 8 people had been put together and created a family by chance. All because two of them met on a dating app. They became close enough to each other to know every person in the group lik...

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“Double Jeopardy” by Sue Marsh

Submitted to Contest #100

Double Jeopardy Suzanne Marsh My grizzly little story begins with a simple ad in the newspaper: “Wanted head cook experience required.” That wouldn’t work I had no real practical experience; just what my Mother had taught me preferably; not to burn water. I was disparate I need a job NOW. The lease on my apartment was due, I had no income. I decided that I would apply for the job. I knew the basics of cooking how complicated could it be? I rounded up my go to cook book. I sat down and thumbed through it; I hop...

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“If there were no humanity” by Laiba Nadeem

Submitted to Contest #100

It was November. I perched on a wooden bridge by the sea, watching the sunset over the water. I was so depressed that even the picturesque view couldn’t help me. The scene reminded me of my childhood days when I used to watch the dusk with my grandma. She was the one who made my early years exquisite. I remembered how bleak last year was for me. The heart-wrenching story began that it was Sunday; I was having morning tea on the couch in the solarium listening to the chirping of birds. Suddenly my phone rang. An old, gravelly voice came from ...

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“Coffee, Tea or me?” by Laura Dvoran

Submitted to Contest #100

Today seemed like any other day, sun was up and shining and my best friend in the whole world had BIG news to share! I was trying to get the sleep out of my eyes when my phone rang and she said, "I'm coming over with BIG news". Well, honestly, I thought I was still sleeping and rolled over and fell back asleep. Not long after, I heard a pounding on my front door, so of course, I had to get dressed and find out who was there. I got to the front door and saw that it was my neighbor, Shandy. We have not really been close neighbor's and her arri...

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“Dinner with the Dead” by Michael Martin

Submitted to Contest #100

The grey door in front of Lester was far too unassuming for what existed on the other side. An assistant - Jamie, according to his nametag - played tour guide for the teen, rambling in his most excited voice about the wonders of cognitive storage technology. None of it registered; Lester could only stare at the door. What would it be like meeting an actual dead person? What would this Curtis guy be like?Jamie finished reading the factoids off his notecards then opened the door. He ushered Lester inside a small room that had a recta...

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$50

Prize money

891

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jul 02, 2021 EST

Won by Rayhan Hidayat 🏆

Title: mie goreng

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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