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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#261: Gratitude

Unfortunately, it's true what they say — all good things must come to an end! Today marks my last Friday at Reedsy, and my last week as the host of Prompts.

Before I get into this week's contest, I'd like to take a moment to thank this wonderful community, for sharing your creativity and enthusiasm with me over the past few years. I have been truly moved and inspired by your entries, and am consistently amazed by the talented, prolific writers who make up Prompts. It doesn't escape me how lucky I am to have read and enjoyed thousands of your stories, and to have been given a glimpse into the worlds of so many authors. It's been a great privilege.

With that in mind, this week's contest is all about gratitude. Whether your characters are thankful for a gift, a person, or a change in circumstance, I hope they find a way to express it.

You'll meet your wonderful new Prompts host Isabella next Friday; but for now, all that's left to say is — thank you!

This week's prompts

Write a story about a character trying to find a way to express their gratitude to someone.

Character – 62 stories

Write a creative nonfiction piece about something you're grateful for.

Nonfiction – 69 stories

Write a story about a cynic who has been told to start a "gratitude journal," and does so — begrudgingly.

Funny – 55 stories

Write a story about an unsung hero.

Character – 53 stories

Write a story in the form of a series of thank you cards.

Narrative – 64 stories

Stories

“Gratitude in a Hopeless Place” by Rosie Main

Submitted to Contest #261

*discussion of mental health and suicide* "Jade, do you want to get better?" Dr. Fields asked, eyeing me with her glasses on the tip of her nose. Her office is musty, and her couch is uncomfortable. Who is supposed to feel better in such an uncomfortable environment? "Of course, I do" I responded as I rolled my eyes. I have been seeing Dr. Fields once a week for five months now for what she calls “major depressive disorder”. I say it's normal for people to be sad sometimes, being emotional is part of human nature. Dr. Fields agree...

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“The Fatigue of Death” by Larry Feller

Submitted to Contest #261

Afghanistan 2008 three month activation. Colonel Joe Black studied the old Afghani’s eyes. The man looked ancient, his real age hard to tell. People aged early in Afghanistan. It was an unforgiving country. Absent the reports of terrorists, the village was typical for southern Afghanistan, a cluster of small buildings around a central smooth rubble road with the obligatory smattering of sand. The old afghani leader stood alone at the edge of the village. He was dumbfounded when Joe stepped from the shadows to confront him. Colonel Joe Black,...

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“Gratitude- Life and times.” by Christine LW

Submitted to Contest #261

I can always remember this incident that happend with my younger brother at the Gaumont Cinema . The event happend well over fifty years ago. The cinema is no more. Replaced by colour tv and internet.My yonger brother and I always looked forward to a outing to the cinema with mom and dad weekends. To see the bright colours and the screen light up in an array of coĺour made it all worth while.Usually we visted the cinema on a Saturday evening for the early evening show. After the film my younger brother found a brown leather wallet, behind hi...

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“The Heroic Hyena-Man” by Pres T

Submitted to Contest #261

“I feel compelled to tell you how I truly feel, Mr. Brooks. I don’t know everything about you as a man but I know enough. You are the epitome of what a man should be, a timeless example of what all aspire to become. When I first met you, you were driving a garbage truck, the same one you passed to your successor for that position. You waved at me, then five or six years old, my mother and father as we walked to school. I don’t know what possessed you to hand select me to pour your attention and positive male reinforcement to. But whate...

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“Hide & Seek” by Anja Zulic

Submitted to Contest #261

Darkness scares us. We can breathe in the light, when we are able to recognize what is concrete and familiar, what is real. The light protects us from the unknown. But here I am, in the middle of the daylight, with the sun shining brighter than it has all year, and yet there is no light here. I am surrounded by darkness. What am I going to do? For 6 hours a day I am responsible for their safety and their well-being, and in this moment, I feel completely powerless. I am frozen with fear.I look around the room at the m...

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“Unrecognized Destiny” by Gary Brose

Submitted to Contest #261

UNRECOGNIZED DESTINY By Earl James As he trudged down 3rd Street toward his home, sixteen-year-old JT Schuler slowed his pace to enjoy the early evening sky. Dusk’s fleeting light turned the early spring sky into a dazzling violet hue. He allowed himself a few seconds to appreciate its beauty. Then he turned back to the task at hand—preparing to deliver today’s bad news to his stepfather. JT headed up the porch stairs to the entrance of the only home he’d ever known. Entering through the low gate that hung on one hinge, his ...

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“Just another paper” by Amanda Sloan

Submitted to Contest #261

June was a month of bittersweetness. While it was the end of the school year, which meant the beginning of summer vacation, it also meant having to prepare my classroom for the summer. Artwork and projects needed to be removed from the walls and either stored or recycled. Furniture needed to be labeled so it didn't disappear over the summer when the classrooms were cleared out and deep cleaned. My room was particularly difficult because I had adopted over one hundred books when they converted the library into a classroom. This meant packing ...

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“Coach” by Elton James

Submitted to Contest #261

For JessicaCoachTerror.The opening whistle of the 12-and-under girls soccer championship game sounds, and the ball is kicked around the centre of the pitch. Though I am far from the action, positioned on the defensive flank, my heart is in my mouth.What am I doing in the championship game? I’m terrible at soccer! Coach tried to settle our nerves before the game.“If you’re nervous, remember, it’s because you’re doing something you care about. You are all,” she looks directly at me, “valued members of this team! Don’t fight your nerves. U...

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“The Cliffside” by Joie Levario

Submitted to Contest #261

Did anyone know what lay underneath the rocky cliff? The fog rolled out too thick over the entire ledge, obstructing whatever lay below. The only clues were the hostile rumbles from the waves echoing throughout the haze, but even that did not tell what lay waiting in the treacherous waters. Sharp rocks? Alien creatures? A black hole? Maren was soon to find out. She hovered a curious leg over the uneven edge and rose to the ball of her foot on the other. “What’s with all this fog?” The voice came from behind. Maren flinched, nearly sending he...

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“The Most Clever” by Patricia Orozco Uribe

Submitted to Contest #261

The warlock lay slumped atop the stump where Carys sat next to. For the past month, Carys bore witness to the warlock’s constant struggles to find a noble hero who could defeat the great beast of the cave. As the most recent chosen one’s corpse was tossed out from the hollow, the warlock released a deep sigh. He looked down at Carys. “Now, I don’t suppose you want to be a hero, little one?” Carys huffed because she was simply a fox and that’s the sound foxes made. The warlock chuckled, “Of course not. You don’t wish for glory bec...

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“Twin Adventure: Heroes, Gratitude, and Unashamed” by Claudine Bailey

Submitted to Contest #261

“All heroes wear cape,” said Junior. Junior was one of the teens from the Linstead district, where Grandma Keturah lived. He’d met Sean at the Rio Cobre river, the week before. When they learned they were neighbours they made plans to hang out. They were at Juici Patties, a Jamaican fast food outlet located in Linstead Plaza, pouring over an Avenger movie. Sadie rolled her eyes as she bit into her beef patty. She wondered why they hadn’t stayed home. Their grandmother had gone to the market to sell some gro...

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“Toby” by Tara D. Wilson

Submitted to Contest #261

*Sensitive content: cursing, mental abuse, bullying, substance abuse, mention of death, violence*Toby is a bully, and everybody knows. Those days at school, when he shows up, are hell for a lot of the kids. His targets are mostly students that make good grades, wear clean clothes, and have parents that love them. The opposite of him. He doesn’t really hurt them, just their pride. His torment involves pulling down pants, using his size to push them out of the way in the crowded hall, taking their lunch money, etc. It enrages him when he hears...

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“The Men who Raised 500 Boys” by Timothy Holland

Submitted to Contest #261

What is the definition of an unsung hero? To me, it is a person who blesses others without asking for acknowledgement or anything in return. Two men who helped shape my life and the lives of many young men fit this definition. They are my junior high school physical education teachers Mr. John and Mr. Mac. I shortened their last names in case they would like to remain unsung which wouldn’t surprise me. Mr. John and Mr. Mac did something that so many took for granted. They helped raise 500 adolescent boys five days a week from September to Ju...

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“Hey Grammy” by Zia Eigenrauch

Submitted to Contest #261

2/22/20Hey Grammy, I miss you. It’s my birthday, double digits! 1 O! I’m so happy. When I come over again we should do some more baking! I remember that time we made those spider chocolate balls, there is a photo of us standing at the kitchen counter, me on the stool and you next to me. your red-rimmed smile larger-than-life looking at the camera, a chocolate donut pinched between your thumb and index finger, 4 curled pretzel bits stuck into each side of the chocolaty treat, my goofy smile aimed in the same direction, chocolate around my lip...

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“Tuna Casserole” by Kristen Drummey

Submitted to Contest #261

Sensitive content warning: this story focuses heavily on the death of a parent. Substance abuse is alluded to.___________________________Dear Valued Customer,Thank you for your greeting card purchase. Please find your order details below. Your package should ship in 3-5 business days. We appreciate your patronage!Card Category: Thank You (Funeral)Card Count: 100Front Image: Dad_ActuallySmilingInThisOne.jpgFront Text: Our Heartfelt GratitudeInterior Text: [BLANK]Val-You Greeting Cards, LLC___________________________Dear Father Peterson,Thank ...

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$250

Prize money

303

Contest entries

97

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Aug 02, 2024 EST

Won by Sandrine Hu 🏆

Title: Dear Aunt Beth

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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