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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#137: Albert Einstein

On March 14th, 1879 one of the greatest physicists of all time was born. Of course, Einstein is known for his theory of relativity and his Nobel Prize. But Einstein lived a full (and often dramatic) life outside of the world of physics.

He fell in love with a professor’s daughter while at school, and years later — while married to another woman — confessed his love for her, and the mistake he made not courting her when he had the chance. In 1933, he emigrated to the United States, knowing he’d not be able to return to Germany while Hitler was in power — he and his family were Jewish. After Einstein legally renounced his German citizenship, his Berlin cottage was turned into a Hitler’s Youth camp.

In light of his upcoming birthday, this week’s prompts are a reflection on the complex and storied life of this remarkable man.

This week's prompts

Write a story about a scientist.

Science Fiction – 40 stories

Write about a character who gets called an Einstein ironically.

Middle School – 18 stories

Write a story about somebody in love with someone from their past.

Romance – 79 stories

Write a story about a character forced to give up something important to stand up for what they believe in.

Character – 26 stories

Write a story about someone forced out of their home.

Narrative – 54 stories

Stories

“Repercussions” by Eric Holdorf

Submitted to Contest #137

Repercussions The lights flicker when he enters, and go dark when he closes the door. Hearing his shoes shuffle in the cement hallway, she rises from the couch, then at the threshold, feeling for ea...

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“How It All Began….” by B R

Submitted to Contest #137

“Dr. G says it’s a body of our ancestors,” his assistant clarified, shouting over the rotors of their chopper. Hojo looked over his notes thoroughly, again and again, attempting to make out the photographs of the “phenomenal” discovery his college friend had the luck to find. His long, dark hair fell over his bony white fingers, tracing lines along a certain photo of a creature with pale, blue skin, lying inside what appeared to be a metal coffin. Our ancestors didn’t fall from space, he thought. Or else, there would be, certainl...

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“White Space” by Mark Birmingham

Submitted to Contest #137

Her invention must be dud because she’s been so secretive about it. What was it supposed to do? I expected more angst or bloviating, something. Her obsession was wasn’t with me, not any more. It was obvious to me now that she was hanging around for the money, to indulge her crazy ideas. I suggested a sail to get her out of her cave, to spend time together, and she agreed, reluctantly. “Can you trim that jib a bit?” she said. We sailed out into Nantucket Sound on a day we should have stayed at the dock. There was a small craft wind advisory...

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“Brillant Corners” by DIANE Hunter

Submitted to Contest #137

Robert Annenberg grew up in a house that had ten-foot ceilings, shiny parquet floors, and huge venetian glass mirrors. The home itself, sat on a huge corner lot in a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was surrounded by beautiful large oak and maple trees. His parents were considered old Philadelphians or proper Philadelphians. This class of people claimed their hereditary and cultural descent from England, and Germany. Proper Philadelphians were influential in the development of the arts, culture, science, medicine and law. Young Rob...

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“The Secret” by Rachel Connor

Submitted to Contest #137

“What do you think is in here?” Philip asked knee-deep in curiosity and sewage. His head swiveled over to look at Peri, shining his flashlight directly into their eyes. Shutting them swiftly, Peri shrugged. “Something no one wants us to find.” Emily laughed and quickly flew her hand up to her chest pocket on her flannel coat. “Too late!” She shouted, her freckles bouncing around on her face. A small stitched horse seemed to be shouting its disagreement as she dug around ...

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“Skin Deep” by Linda Hershman

Submitted to Contest #137

In France, I walked naked on the beaches. Whether strolling the quiet shores of La Rochelle, dotted with a few families, or picking my way through sculpted singles on the Riviera, I’d shed my clothes the moment my feet sank into sand.My public nudity shocked me, like the stab of seashells biting into the soft soles of my feet. At home in Philadelphia, I spent a lifetime hiding my body, strategically draping clothing in hopes of directing the eye away from hips that strained my hip-hugger bell bottoms and a J-Lo butt in a Twiggy generation.In...

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“Remembrance Through The Lens” by Cody Cooper

Submitted to Contest #137

It had turned into a nightly ritual for Dave. He couldn’t go to sleep without seeing her face. He needed to see her smile. Her blond hair. Her rose-tinted cheeks. Those green eyes that could get your heart rate pumping just by looking at you. He lay in bed scrolling through her Instagram profile on his iPhone. It didn’t matter that she was married now and had two toddlers, a boy and a girl. He pined to see her photo, to revive the memories they had together. Looking at her smiling face, his thumb was ready to press the button to send a mess...

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“Why Can't We Soar” by Lucy Grey

Submitted to Contest #137

When I was young, my wings were what gave me life. I’d run towards the horizon and push myself off the ground, soaring like a dove freed from its cage. I remember the sound of the wind rushing past and the feeling of the fresh air filling my lungs. I’d fly until home was just a speck in the distance, and my stomach rumbled with hunger. As I flew, I’d sometimes hear shouts from down below. I thought they were shouts of joy, wonder, surprise. I’d look down upon them cheerfully, wave and shout back, then fly on. As I grew older, I s...

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“The Measure of a Life” by Elizabeth Hudson

Submitted to Contest #137

Celia was crunching numbers, calculating the dose of an antibiotic for a tiny little patient of hers whose ear infection would just not go away. She did it twice because she knew she was distracted and didn’t want to make a mistake. Doing mundane things was so difficult these days– there were more consequential things going on in her mind. But not so for little Elise, whose ear pain was keeping her up at night, so Celia checked once more and ordered her treatment before leaving the nurse’s station. She stopped as she walked through the liv...

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“Home of Hurt” by Anusha Vyas

Submitted to Contest #137

Their love was a paradox. A fickle flame forced to life in the damp caves under the castle. Castor had worried, at first. That their flame had ignited because of the friction caused by their clashing persons. Or perhaps it was the situation they both found themselves in: neither accustomed to isolation and their only solution the tentative arms of one another. A love fostered from need, from a terrible greed for another beating heart; from that overwhelming fear of being utterly alone in a catacomb of silence with only their echoing footstep...

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“Not Ashamed ” by Knowledge B Shamuyarira

Submitted to Contest #137

Not Ashamed He stepped outside the main door to his house hoping to enjoy the cool evening. He was in his grey tracksuit and black turkeys. As always, this time of the evening is the time he normally use to strategize and come up with good moves to extend his work. His call and passions were well defined in his mind and heart. No one could be able to move him from what he believed in. He always confessed that he was even ready to die for what he stood for. As he paced in the walled yard of his house, suddenly there was a nock on the gate. So...

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“EXPULSION” by Vijay Likhite

Submitted to Contest #137

EXPULSION That was Malgund village in Chiplun Taluka of Ratnagiri district. The entire area filled with mango, coconut, and areca nut trees was coated by the thick fog of January 1948. Satish using his battery torch paved his way home after meeting the client in the factory which was close to his house. Satish kept the keys of the factory in its proper place and after cleaning himself joined the other members of the family for dinner. His father, Shri Ganesh Pant Gogte said, ”Listen, Satish, you get more involved and take charge of our busin...

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“Underneath a Sky of Falling Stars” by Kayla Douglas

Submitted to Contest #137

Once upon a time, there was a star named A—” “A?” Erin shook her head. “See, this is why you don't tell stories. That’s a literal letter. Out of every name in the world, you choose A.” Leslie shrugged. “Lots of stars are named with things we wouldn’t name people. Also, you never know—maybe there really is a star named A. Or another singular letter.” “But it’s a story I want to understand. Just say Hannah or something. Not like it’s homework or something.” “There was a star named A that one day, fell out of the sky—” “But why? I’m s...

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“The Girl from the Treehouse ” by Jada Richardson

Submitted to Contest #137

The smoke penetrated my lungs, the heat was insufferable. Though my vision was blurred, I ran as fast as I could, praying to see the light. Finally, I shattered the barrier of soot and the cool night air cloaked me as a mother with a warm blanket. As I found my strength, I became aware of what was going on around me. All the flashing red and blaring noises enhanced rather abruptly. Then it hit me that something was missing. Before my brain could process it, my feet were running back to the very place I had barely escaped from. An outpour of ...

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“New Beginnings” by Laura Huffman

Submitted to Contest #137

During the Great Depression a noisy old four-door Model A pickup rattled down my alleyway, dust swirling behind it. There were close to a dozen scruffy looking passengers that appeared to be a large family of migrants. When they parked beside my back porch I left my mansion to great them. The bed of the truck was piled high with various household items and topped with a dirty mattress. A wooden rocking chair was tied onto the front bumper. Attach...

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$250

Prize money

217

Contest entries

116

Stories

Ended on 00:59 - Mar 19, 2022 EST

Won by Story Time 🏆

Title: The Boy in the Pink Tuxedo

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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