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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#193: A Bear's Favor

One of the perks of being a Reedsy Prompts judge is the constant exposure to new ideas and words. While reading Olivia Lake’s story ‘Grateful Nuisance’ recently, I was introduced to a new (to me) Japanese word that instantly captured my imagination. The story explores the idea of arigata-meiwaku, a combination of arigatai (thankful), and meiwaku (nuisance). In essence, it describes the all-too-relatable phenomenon when someone insists on doing you a “favor” against your will, only to wind up causing you even more inconvenience than you started with.

In Northern Europe, this concept is often referred to as a “bear’s favor,” derived from a fable about a bear who kills his master by hitting him in the head with a boulder, when he was in fact trying to kill a fly.

I’m sure the mere mention of such a favor has already conjured some examples from your own life, and this week’s prompts draw on the idea of “bear’s favors” and half-baked acts of kindness. Is it truly always the thought that counts?

This week's prompts

Write a story inspired by the concept of arigata-meiwaku — a favor that turns out to be a nuisance for its recipient.

Funny – 53 stories

Write about somebody whose intentions are pure, but somehow always manages to do the wrong thing.

Character – 45 stories

Write a story where someone insists on giving your main character a ride to the airport, only for their car to break down.

Fluff – 26 stories

Write a fable inspired by a relatable life experience (explaining the moral before or after the story, if you’d like).

Kids – 16 stories

Write a story containing the words “it’s the thought that counts.”

Dialogue – 46 stories

Stories

“What Does the Hawk Say?” by Rose McKenney

Submitted to Contest #193

The Twins The sun was sinking, going to bed for the night, and Alora wished she could do the same, but there were other plans in the works for her. There was no turning back from the path laid before her. Her brother had worked too hard to get her into The Academy; she couldn’t back down now. Even as this thought occurred to her, there was a loud, “smack” against the frosty glass of her third-floor window. She jumped at the sound; she found that she was often jumpy these days. Peering out, she saw a red-tailed hawk who h...

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“The Potter Knows Everything” by Linda Lovendahl

Submitted to Contest #193

And, strange to tell, among the Earthen Lot Some could articulate, while others not: And suddenly one more impatient cried – “Who is the Potter, pray, and who the Pot?”1 I explained to my friends on moving day that my future roommate Korissa had committed to bring a few more laborers to help us out and provide us with a flatbed trailer. She and I got to know each other as professionals in our fields at mutual workshops near her townhouse and it only seemed practical to migrate to her place when my new job started. But my friends and I hem...

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“The Tin Whistle Tavern” by Dean Jones

Submitted to Contest #193

Luminous rays of red-orange sunlight pierced through the old glass windows granting the entire taproom of the Tin Whistle Tavern a cheery evening glow. Ashford Hogle stood proudly behind the bar as he had every night for the past three decades, serving food and drink to the various commoners and adventurers that found themselves in the middling town of Gray Briar. He had long ago accepted that there was higher quality ale to be found in the city, as well as finer food. However, the fare he served and the establishment that served it was his,...

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“The Unintentional Mistakes of a Pure Heart” by Lachandra Dean

Submitted to Contest #193

Marie was a woman with a kind heart and pure intentions. She wanted to do good in the world and make a positive impact in people's lives. She volunteered at a local charity, donated to various causes, and always tried to help those in need. However, no matter how hard she tried, she always seemed to end up doing the wrong thing. It all started when she was a child. Marie would often try to help her parents with household chores, but somehow, she always managed to make a mess. She would accidentally spill water while trying to pour it into a ...

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“Please, Take a Bow” by Mike Rush

Submitted to Contest #193

Please, Take a Bow I notice that the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, is hosting the world Tai Kwan Do championships and about a billion penguins have shown up to spar in front of others, primarily to be seen kicking someone they have just met in the face. I take in the view, some forty bouts ongoing and about thirty-seven spectators surrounding each one of them, mashed together like metal shards on a magnet. On the outer fringe of the spectators, I see people, those in gis and not, greeting each other wi...

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“Allie's Hero” by Annabella Bones

Submitted to Contest #193

I always knew I was destined to be with Allie. Allie Hanover was the dream girl of Shelton High. She was the whole package. Rich cinnamon eyes and big curly hair as red as a summer evening sunset. She had the velvet voice of Judy Garland and legs like Betty Grable. She was both hard and soft, athletic and petite. From the gym floor to senior prom, she gave the boys a run for their money. All the girls hated her as much as they wanted to be her. Allie Hanover was a solid 10, and I was her biggest fan. I had known Allie since 3rd grade. We s...

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“Do Me No Favors” by John Lente

Submitted to Contest #193

“ru sure u dont mind?” Chele felt a little manipulative letting David take her to the airport. She and Jake had been dating for a while and it was going well. She always suspected that David liked her with the way he was always so helpful, a little too attentive to how she was doing behind the counter. But when Jake left for a two-week construction job and her best friend and fellow barista, Annette, got called in to cover an early shift, Chele casually dropped her lament into the shared barista group chat and waited ...

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““I’m Alright Now.”” by Gia Pape

Submitted to Contest #193

It was as if the taxi driver didn’t see my hand frantically flapping in front of his windshield as he cruised by. I felt my cheeks drop as I stopped screaming for a cab; my arms crossed over my abdomen as annoyance bubbled up behind my pupils, making them roll. I scoffed and pivoted, making my way to a bench against the apartment complex’s exterior. I was supposed to be at the airport by noon to check-in, go through security, grab a grande caramel macchiato from Starbucks, make it to the gate at least ten minutes before boarding, and, i...

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“Nothing” by F.O. Morier

Submitted to Contest #193

As I get older, honesty becomes increasingly important to my soul. Recently my daughter commented on my "ruthless honesty". That gave me a strange feeling at first, but later I felt surprisingly good about it. I am willing to consider other people's feelings but in a genuine way. Not because it should be, or because people assume it is necessary. I've behaved like this for far too long. Way too long... I turned around, but I don't remember why. I also don't remember what made me turn around. I just did it: I turned around. I saw a woman on f...

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“Kats Are Us” by Robert Radcliff

Submitted to Contest #193

Far, far away in the depths of space there is a highly developed planet.Featuring lush vegetation, clean air, with azure water and sky. This world has advanced technology and civilization compared to Earth.Vega is its name.The only occupants of this civilization are:Kats: clever feline-like beings, who have created what they consider to be a paradise. The Kats on Vega- in contrast to their diminutive Earthly counterparts -reach human heights and have kept their four-legged gait out of deliberate design.They communicate in a variety of w...

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“ The transhumanist Dilemma” by Rudy Greene

Submitted to Contest #193

It’s the thought that counts. My new robot friend does not emote, but he does things that are kind and considerate. When the box came from Japan, it was hard to open because it stood six feet high, two inches taller than me. I had to lay it on its side and carefully tear back the cardboard with the help of a knife. I was excited and eager to meet Robotto. As a transhumanist, I believed he was my chance at immortality. Artificial Intelligence had progressed to the point that I could transfer my brain circuitry or essence to a computerized rob...

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“American Ale House” by •Bubble _ Tea •

Submitted to Contest #193

American Ale House Happy Hour “People tell me to buy a trailer.” “Of course, it’s the thought that counts, presuming there was one.” “Your thoughts, or a penny, whichever?” “Don’t listen. Worst real estate purchase of all time.” “I thought that was the Brooklyn Bridge.” “Turns out you can’t buy the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s an historical artifact.” “This trailer is pretty old.” “Same problem, historical artifact.” “I guess I’m a renter. Until newer models come on the market.” “Wouldn’t want to break any laws, high crimes, or mis...

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“It's The Thought That Counts by Elouise D. Woodard” by Elouise Woodard

Submitted to Contest #193

Today wasn’t a special day, it was just another day in the life of a housewife. It wasn’t my birthday, holiday, or anniversary. I didn’t do anything out of the ordinary, it was just one of those lazy days. I was sitting in my favorite chair by the front window in our living room reading one of my favorite books. As I looked up to stretch, I observed my husband walking through the front door. I identified a small colorful box in his right hand. As he commenced walking closer towards my direction with the biggest smile on his face he said soft...

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“It’s the Thought That Counts” by Christopher Gunn

Submitted to Contest #193

Cory’s gut had been telling him something was up that day. It’s something he has been good at since he was a kid, being able to feel these things coming. He couldn’t really explain it, he just kind of knew. He had had the feeling since the moment he swung his feet out of bed that morning. The instant the soles of his feet touched the worn rug under the bed he knew it. He didn’t know what exactly, it wasn’t that sharply honed of a talent. He just knew it was something. Marc was on the couch in the living room down the hall. They’d trie...

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“Doctor Sim: A Cursed Boon” by Tanush Mahendra

Submitted to Contest #193

“Doctor, run! We know the universe needs you. As the stars twinkle and the moons shine above, let the night keep our secret safe. Goodbye, doctor, and all the best for your journey." And that was the last time we saw the lunatic-turned Brilliant Scientist Dr. Sim Phones. Well, where are my storytelling manners? The entire ruckus started on 1st Protochornia 1814 A.D. The first inter-galactic war that had started one light year back was causing much more damage to our planet Cellula than our enemy planet Ayrmia because they had developed a v...

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$250

Prize money

186

Contest entries

115

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Apr 14, 2023 EST

Won by SCOTT GEORGE 🏆

Title: To Plant a Garden.

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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