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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#133: Chocolate Box

Next Monday is Valentine’s Day, which means chocolate boxes are popping up in stores everywhere. The sweet association between cocoa and romance began with the Mayans and Aztecs, but it only became a hallmark of Valentine’s Day when British confectionery giant Cadbury introduced the first ever heart-shaped gift boxes in the 1860s.

Today, chocolate is inseparable from this occasion in many parts of the world: in Japan, some give homemade chocolate to their loved ones; in Ghana, February 14th is National Chocolate Day. And we’re joining the fun with this week’s set of delicious chocolate-inspired prompts. Take your pick!

🥇 Winner

“Mythes” by Stephanie Kaye

🏆 Winner of Contest #133

Everything assumes such an immense quality when you are a child. You are a seed amongst the trees - waiting, waiting, waiting - for the soil and the sun to open you up, to release you from the feeling of smallness. And in that smallness rests another seed, one of fear or something like it - a lack of agency and hopelessness. My parents were trees. Especially my father. Every morning as he would get ready to head into the confiserie, I would sit on the edge of the tub and watch him shave. To this day, I cannot feel cold withou...

137 comments 137

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⭐️ Shortlisted

“Hope This Helps” by Haley White

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #133

(Content warning: pregnancy loss) The first time you have a miscarriage, your loved ones might send you flowers. You might get a beautiful tree to plant from a loved one who has found peace in her own grief. Someone will send a box of chocolates - the finest ones they could find - with a note that says, “Sending love. Hope this helps.” It doesn’t, but you appreciate the gesture. You’ll take a week off work to grieve. You’ll watch movies without really seeing them, you’ll cry until your face is raw, and you’ll eat every chocolate in that bo...

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“Love and Chocolate in Five Easy Steps” by Zack Powell

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #133

Content warning: Language and mentions of abortion.Hey there! It's your girl Tahlia here, and I'm back to bring you another slam dunk recipe. Valentine's Day is right around the corner, so today I'm gonna show you how to make your very own chocolate bars for that special someone in your life. Because, ladies, if your man is anything like my boyfriend Marcus, he's gonna want some chocolate. And if he's like Marcus, once he gets a taste, he'll probably want a little something extra on the side, if you catch my drift. Sadly, I can't help you wh...

Read story

“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. ...

Read story

“Slim Pickings ” by P.J. Lowry

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #133

When you looked at it from the outside, the confectionery shop looked as sweet as the items they were offering inside. Yet on this particular day, the inside looked like something out of a zombie movies. Most of the shelves had been picked clean, and whatever remained was scattered all over the place. To say that the pickings were slim was a total understatement, but this was to be expected by the shopkeeper. It happened every year, and no matter how hard he tried to be prepared, the result was always the same. Men would come rushing into hi...

Read story

This week's prompts

Write about someone going on a search for a specific type (or brand) of chocolate.

Middle School – 24 stories

Start your story with a character finding an old heart-shaped box in their house.

Valentine's Day – 78 stories

Set your story in a confectionery shop.

Middle School – 40 stories

Write a story about someone making a gift (chocolate or otherwise) for a loved one.

Valentine's Day – 36 stories

Write about a character who finds Valentine’s Day sickly sweet.

Valentine's Day – 26 stories

Stories

“Mythes” by Stephanie Kaye

🏆 Winner of Contest #133

Everything assumes such an immense quality when you are a child. You are a seed amongst the trees - waiting, waiting, waiting - for the soil and the sun to open you up, to release you from the feeling of smallness. And in that smallness rests another seed, one of fear or something like it - a lack of agency and hopelessness. My parents were trees. Especially my father. Every morning as he would get ready to head into the confiserie, I would sit on the edge of the tub and watch him shave. To this day, I cannot feel cold withou...

137 comments 137

Read story

“The Card-iologist” by Mister X

Submitted to Contest #133

"Hiiiii. Welcome to Hallmark Greetings & Gifts. May I help you find something today?" "Well, uh, yes. I'm looking for a Valentine's Day card. For my niece." "Perfect. Our Valentine's day selection is over here.” “Are you sure?” “Am I what?” “Are you sure? I mean, these cards are assorted blues and yellows and greens.” “And?” “I was looking for Valentine’s Day cards. I was expecting a selection of cards in reds and pinks. Maybe some glitter.” “Sir, we are an inclusive card store. I can assure you that blues and yellows and greens can expr...

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“Roses for Ruby” by Kathleen Fine

Submitted to Contest #133

Simon meanders through Charbel Chocolatiers searching for the perfect heart shaped box for Ruby. He remembers she likes dark chocolate; she hates white. He read she once was forced to eat mouthfuls of white chocolate pretzels while filming a commercial as a child and has never been able to take even a nibble ever since. Simon plucks up a large, ruby-red, heart-shaped box with assorted dark caramels and determines this is the perfect box for Ruby. As he carries the present up to the register, he grabs his wallet from his Levi’s and fingers th...

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“Hope This Helps” by Haley White

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #133

(Content warning: pregnancy loss) The first time you have a miscarriage, your loved ones might send you flowers. You might get a beautiful tree to plant from a loved one who has found peace in her own grief. Someone will send a box of chocolates - the finest ones they could find - with a note that says, “Sending love. Hope this helps.” It doesn’t, but you appreciate the gesture. You’ll take a week off work to grieve. You’ll watch movies without really seeing them, you’ll cry until your face is raw, and you’ll eat every chocolate in that bo...

Read story

“My First Valentine” by Francis Daisy

Submitted to Contest #133

You know when you can no longer fit your clothes - as opposed to when your clothes no longer fit you, but that is a different story for a different day - but when your clothes no longer fit into your bottom left hand dresser drawer, you know that there is a problem. What in the devil is in that drawer anyway? It’s your dresser. You’ve owned this dresser for the last, do we want to think about age here? Okay, upper level math skills being tasked here - years married, plus the apartment, minus the year in storage during the teeny tiny apartmen...

Read story

“Love and Chocolate in Five Easy Steps” by Zack Powell

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #133

Content warning: Language and mentions of abortion.Hey there! It's your girl Tahlia here, and I'm back to bring you another slam dunk recipe. Valentine's Day is right around the corner, so today I'm gonna show you how to make your very own chocolate bars for that special someone in your life. Because, ladies, if your man is anything like my boyfriend Marcus, he's gonna want some chocolate. And if he's like Marcus, once he gets a taste, he'll probably want a little something extra on the side, if you catch my drift. Sadly, I can't help you wh...

Read story

“No One Messes With Terry!” by PJ Aitken

Submitted to Contest #133

The last 18 months had been a whole new level of stress for Terry with lockdown after lockdown causing his little corner shop to be on the verge of closing permanently. After months of only scraping by with his loyal customers popping in when it was safe, today was the day when lockdown six would be lifted and Terry can finally see his finances turn a corner. He’d woken up early to stock the shelves with his big sellers and put out his huge sign to lure them in. Cheapest Chocolate Buttons in Town! The first hour had been slow going wit...

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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. ...

Read story

“Sincere Feelings ” by Dream Girl

Submitted to Contest #133

~ My anticipations of waiting for him slowly started to dwindle. He was nowhere to be seen or found and no one knew him except for me. It was as if someone like him never expected. Wish it would be a dream, but no it still haunts me up to this date. The fact that he left me all alone on a cold bed, on such a day still haunts me to this date. The only thing that stopped me from going crazy was this box that was beside me the moment I opened my eyes, after his disappearance this was the only thing that remained with me. Everything else about...

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“Sickeningly Sweet” by Allya Nosmada

Submitted to Contest #133

I hovered over Nick until he opened his eyes. He smiled then laughed. “Morning,” he said softly in his deep handsome voice. “What is it?” “Happy Valentine’s day!” I said, giving him a kiss. He frowned. “I thought we talked about this, babe. We don’t celebrate V-day.” He moved me off of him and got out of bed, heading directly for the shower. I lingered for some time in the warm cloud of sheets, hoping he was joking, but I could hear him singing Sinatra in the shower. He really had nothing special planned. While ...

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“Just Chocolate” by Maggie Gibbs

Submitted to Contest #133

I frantically shuffled bags of candy around the shelf of the convenience store, hoping that by some miracle, a bag would be hidden underneath some Dove Promises or Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. It was my fifth store that day and no one had it. I asked store associates at all the other stores I went into, and no one could help me.“We’re all out.” Those three words were the words I kept hearing. We’re all out. I felt my chest tighten every time, like the weight of my sadness would crush me from the inside out.I felt the sting of impending tears ...

Read story

“Slim Pickings ” by P.J. Lowry

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #133

When you looked at it from the outside, the confectionery shop looked as sweet as the items they were offering inside. Yet on this particular day, the inside looked like something out of a zombie movies. Most of the shelves had been picked clean, and whatever remained was scattered all over the place. To say that the pickings were slim was a total understatement, but this was to be expected by the shopkeeper. It happened every year, and no matter how hard he tried to be prepared, the result was always the same. Men would come rushing into hi...

Read story

“Last Valentine's Day Part One” by Howard Seeley

Submitted to Contest #133

Kathy’s heart jumped for joy when she read the text from Jack. “Happy Valentine’s Day, my love. I have something special planned for us tonight. I’m sending an Uber to pick you up at the house by 6:00 P.M Don’t be late.” When it came to mysteries and surprises, Kathy has always been a sucker. So, when she glanced at her watch, she was disappointed at what it read. Eight hours! Eight hours I must wait to see what Jack has planned. Anticipation overwhelmed her, and she began tapping her fingers on her desk. Should I call him? Should I ask what...

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“The Hunt” by Lisa Page

Submitted to Contest #133

There was nothing quite like them. They were made for the Queen for god sake. The round blush box, the small powdered pink spheres- nothing manly about my favourite chocolates, but I wouldn't be the man I was if I gave up my search for them. I first tasted the creamy champagne truffles on a chocolate tour I booked for my wife when we lived in London. After stops at the most luxurious department stores, confectioneries and shoppes, we ended our tour in good old 'save the best for last' fashion. As our group of gluttons caught up with the to...

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“Curse in the Heart-Shaped Box ” by Emerald Lace

Submitted to Contest #133

When I used to lie in bed, and my mind would drift through millions of random thoughts, I’d often wonder if I were to die—what would be the best way? Suffocation? In my sleep? A sudden fatal accident? But I never thought it would be this and I certainly never thought I’d be stuck inside a box tucked away in an attic waiting to be discovered like some type of morbid genie. I had no idea how long she had cursed me into this box, but I know how I got here. Ellie. Ellie was once the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen with long, blonde ha...

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$250

Prize money

204

Contest entries

121

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Feb 18, 2022 EST

Won by Stephanie Kaye 🏆

Title: Mythes

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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