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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

“The House Dog and The Stray” by Natacha Bertrand

Submitted to Contest #193

From his windowsill, House Dog was anticipating his companion’s return from work for the second day in a row. His bowl had enough food for another day; the water fountain was half full, and the home was otherwise empty. House Dog kept a watchful eye for the familiar brown loafers. He periodically noticed The Stray, though he was a vagrant, arousing disturbances every now and then, too clueless to remain unseen. Each time, House Dog’s gaze turned away from the commotion the filthy, emaciated creature caused. He had seen him up close once. The...

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“Thought that counts” by Michael Heavener

Submitted to Contest #193

I caused a missionary family an enormous amount of grief because they stopped to help me on the way home. They were on their way to the airport and didn't make their flight.The thermostat of my car stopped working and the engine overheated. I managed to get to the shoulder on kinetic energy after it quit; I was driving a car with a manual transmission, fortunately.My boss stopped to see if I needed help. I gave him my home phone number and asked him to call my wife to let her know. That was nice of him but didn't help me.Where I stopped was ...

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“Goldilock's side” by Jacob Derouen

Submitted to Contest #193

Ok, ok hear me out… porridge isn’t all that great–It’s just ok. Why would I want to break into a bunch of terrifying predators’ quarters just for some ok food? With that being said there is basically no way that I could have had any ill intention by eating the bears’ porridge. I mean–be real– they’re bears. How could I have known that a bunch of bears turned into Todd Chrisley and got a house in the suburbs? With this all being said I still broke and entered, stole, and trespassed in an innocent family’s home. I would still like to say–despi...

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“Winter ” by Arianna Skolnick

Submitted to Contest #193

All people started as monkeys during the beginning of evolution. Then they branched off, and monkeys became their own species. Chimpanzees and Gorillas were once the same creatures, but about six million years ago, separated with chimps stayed 99% genetically similar to humans, and gorillas became 98% genetically identical. Unlike gorillas, humans have “fur” that covers our bodies but not to the extent that gorillas do. Gorillas have been proven to show the intelligence of understanding humans through sign language in the past, so what makes...

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“What do Yellow Ducks and Love Affairs Have in Common? Turns Out, Nothing” by Bobbi Brown

Submitted to Contest #193

Today I parked farther down the street. Yesterday I was one house up and it was impossible to see past the large tree in his neighbors yard. After the car was in park I was committed, moving closer would make me look odd, suspicious even. People are naturally nosy. It’s as though minding one's own business is merely an afterthought in today's world. Just like clockwork the light blue curtains with little yellow ducks slide out of view. I always see her first. In the way. It’s quite disgusting. She darts back and forth, making breakfast I’m s...

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“Fortes” by Glenda Toews

Submitted to Contest #193

Sandwiched between Robson and Alberni streets two buildings keep company. The twenty-two-story skyscraper, a dark green prism pulled from the minds of architects at MCM sits on the corner of Thurlow and Alberni. In its shadow, on the corner of Thurlow and Robson, a rich two-story in red brick.The brick oozes finery dipped in an age of old when men removed themselves from the world to smoking rooms where they would sit in burgundy leather wing backs sipping port and chew the end of a puro while discussing world affairs. An arched mutton windo...

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“Claude Drewitt's Police Award” by Bernie Rhodes

Submitted to Contest #193

Claude Drewitt was finally living his lifelong dream as a police officer. His father, Johnathon Drewitt, was the town’s beloved, longtime Chief of Police. The locals highly regarded Chief Drewitt for his fairness and astute knowledge of the law. Claude always wanted to be just like his father and follow him dutifully in his footsteps. Claude failed the police officer's test, but the instructors fudged the score so Claude could pass. Claude also was unable to meet the standards and procedures of the police a...

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“In the back of the truck” by Frances Gaudiano

Submitted to Contest #193

In the back of the Truck Jackie was between boyfriends. Way between boyfriends. The last two guys had turned about to be dating other women; actually, not just dating, in long-term significant relationships with other women. Jackie had been a fling, twice. So, was taking a break from men, a very long break. This didn’t sit well with Karen who had a fabulous love life and was planning on getting married. She wanted Jackie to be happy too. Jackie assured her friend that she was quite happy and quite busy, after all she was working on her mast...

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“Weather Permitting” by V Lauria

Submitted to Contest #193

I sat on the torn upholstery of the golden yellow chair. My back pressed against cardboard boxes and plastic containers. With each visit, the space on the chair became smaller and smaller. Soon there would be no space for me even though I was small. I was alone. Mom and dad weren’t coming. Weather permitting was the refrain. Weather permitting. Another night on the gold yellow chair. Grandma and Grandpa were fighting again. It was the toaster. It jammed and they would argue and try to bang on the lever until the toast pop...

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“Not All Things That Go Wrong Have Sad Endings (The Curious Case Of Charleston And Clairy)” by Jae-Lex Linsey

Submitted to Contest #193

Have you ever had one of those days when things just don’t seem to be on your side? But when you look back with hindsight, the outcome was actually the best thing to have happened. They say that hindsight is a wonderful thing. Especially when it is life-changing or even life-saving! This was the case for Charleston and Clairy. Charleston Blakeley was an independently-minded man who always imagined and expected the worst outcomes. He would endeavour to always prepare for every outcome. But, invariably, the one he’d not considered would play...

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“An Elephant and Her Sister” by Fatima Habib

Submitted to Contest #193

There once lived two elephants beneath the dense canopy of a mangrove forest. These two were born as sisters and they both lived under the care of their mother. “Mother” was what they called her because they knew that that was who she was, their mother, the one who had given birth to them. Aside from the fact, there really was nothing motherly about her. She woke them in the early morning, spraying them with cold water, trumpeting at them to feed her and keep her company, as if she were the child and they were the parent. She treated t...

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“Mom life” by Pamela Fitch

Submitted to Contest #193

After a long week that was filled with meetings, conferences, kids’ homework, and staying alive while commuting to work with the fellow crazy American drivers, we are home. Not just home, but home for a weekend. The bra is in our purse since we quickly took it off on the way out of the building and getting into our car. Shoes next and after kicking them off they fly across the room, hitting the wall and landing amongst the tower of shoes in the corner of the living room. We open the fridge and see a bottle of white wine c...

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“One Little Kiss” by Jed Cope

Submitted to Contest #193

“I did it for you, darling!” Fran is pouting and trying for a look that she cannot land. She does a lot of this as far as Samuel is concerned, and right now, it is not at all endearing and neither is it alluring. Well, it might be partially alluring. Alluring to a certain extent. A disconcerting extent now that Samuel thinks about it. Those full red lips speak to him, and as for her eyes. The too large to be real eyes, that are pools he could drown in. No! This is what she does! This is what she did… “I don’t know why you did it at...

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“We Don't Belong Here” by Maliha Naveed

Submitted to Contest #193

This story contains offensive language. “So, what do you say?” Lena asked me a thousandth time. “I say, nay!” A cloud of disappointment shadowed her face. I admit I was rude, but I couldn’t help it. Only ten days were left before the big event, and no decent caterers were in sight. Lena, my best friend’s little sister, offered her services when she learned about my dilemma. Thanks to my best friend. I didn’t want a newbie for the most important project of my life. “I promise I will prove the best service provider. Just trust ...

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“Mother's Day” by Nicole Winchester

Submitted to Contest #193

“Happy Mother’s Day, Mommy!” I gasped and jolted awake, bumping my skull on the headrest. In the doorway stood my daughter, Zoe, my five-year-old angel who had ever so graciously given me four hours of blissful, uninterrupted sleep. The beaming, gap-toothed smile on her face was worth every second of being kept awake with an unending stream of Youtube videos. Well, nearly. I tried, okay? Don’t judge. I’d usually get her to bed at eight, and then, somehow, she’d be up at midnight sneaking around, no matter how much I pleaded with her to g...

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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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