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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

“Her Eulogy - Diary of a Grateful Lady” by Kaitlyn Wadsworth

Submitted to Contest #261

The third of the calends of April in the year 1032, being the 32nd year of the reign of King Henry 1On the afternoon of my ride to the top of the hill, our hill, while Morag, my aunt, mother, maid, and friend (my everything), cared for my beautiful twins, Roland (your namesake) and Anna, I remembered the fateful day I met you. I regret my rudeness and cruelty at the time. Still, if I had not cursed you, you might never have risen to be the saviour I needed, the one whose self-sacrifice and courage have enabled my return to this blessed place...

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“Fangs for Your Help” by Joshua G. J. Insole

Submitted to Contest #261

Gene Waters, the sweaty postman with beady eyes that were too close together, grinned at her like a shark.Lindsay Adams’s stomach dropped. Oh no. Not again. Couldn’t she ever go out running in peace? Why did her early morning efforts have to draw such attention? Lindsay wanted to get back in shape after years of working at the bakery, which had led to a bit of weight gain. Her boyfriend – now her ex, she had to remind herself – had called her fat and ended the relationship. He threw two-and-a-half years away because of a few pounds. And to t...

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“Colouring Outside of the Lines” by Carol Stewart

Submitted to Contest #261

School brought the smell of the herd; brown leather straps, regulation pens, black and blue pulled out of a multi-pack, ‘rather see than be ya’, Purple Cow… And Mrs Arnot…Mary Ann Bretton! What on earth do you call this? I don’t know what colour the cattle are where you come from, but I’m fairly certain they’re not purple. Are you really so stupid that you can’t even complete a simple colouring task? Cows are brown, Mary Ann… Brown!Shockwaves of icy blue, stun gun electrocution sparks. The split-second eyes-wide-open upward chin-jolt, and do...

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“Gratitude” by Linda Kenah

Submitted to Contest #261

Nurse Gladys wheeled the cantankerous nonagenarian into the dining room of the Sunrise Assisted Living Center. She navigated through the maze of tables until she found a table with some residents that she thought wouldn’t mind sharing the table with him. Positioning his wheelchair in a one of the two spots left, she greeted the two ladies already seated there.“Good evening, ladies. How would you like some company for dinner?”“That’s fine, Gladys. Arthur is welcome to join us,” said the one named Ethyl. Miriam nodded in ag...

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“Thank You Note” by Tom D

Submitted to Contest #261

Content warning: Contains references to violence.I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately. About how to express my gratitude to you. You see, it’s really quite the puzzle. You’ve done so much for me and I don’t know how best I can thank you for it. But I’m determined to try.This morning started like any other. It started in a greasy spoon. As I perused the breakfast buffet, loading up my plate with sausage and scrambled eggs, I glanced up at the television screen set in the wall. The news was on, and it was the same old story - bombs fallin...

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“The Black Dog hates mountains” by M.D. Adler

Submitted to Contest #261

“I never told you this, but I visited a priest three years ago.” Mama admitted, sipping on her Campari Orange. “I brought him a picture of you, told him what you’ve been through all these years and asked if you were cursed.” She then gazed adoringly at the Christmas gift I had just given her - a positive pregnancy test - and her look turned warmer with appreciation. “Multumesc lui Dumnezeu!” Mama had developed a habit out of thanking God for my health, accomplishments and happiness. When I would earn a well-deserved promotion after years of ...

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“The Keepers of St. John's” by Neha Magesh

Submitted to Contest #261

To Ms. Danton, A hearty congratulations on the success of The Scottish Play! I have to admit, after the Katie Davis kerfuffle we were all a bit nervous, but after the curtain went up, the production went so smoothly it could have been professional. Little Michael Monmouth Jr. was entrancing as Banquo, and let’s not forget how our Gretchen swooped in to save the day… what a wonderful actress she might turn out to be! The show might have been better for it. What a marvelous directorial job on your part! On behalf of all the thankful ...

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“Masks” by Chris Gomez

Submitted to Contest #261

The incessant rain bounced off his casket as they lowered him into the earth. There was hardly anyone at the funeral. Only his parents, his sisters, and I were in attendance. I wasn’t his girlfriend, or even his friend, for that matter. We were just co-workers. He was nothing more than a mere acquaintance, yet his passing hit me as though I had lost one of my own.When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, I thought I would be out of a job. The pandemic was sending everyone home, and I assumed I would follow suit. I found out soon enough that would n...

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“Peace of Me” by Jed Cope

Submitted to Contest #261

There are no words. This is because I have never bothered to bring them together in any meaningful way. The words exist, but I chose to dwell in a feeling. Not always the same feeling at that. I am no poet. I have never tried to describe the sky as it puts on a show and reminds me that it can wear colours other than blue. Other than grey. The sky is the sky. It was here before I ever arrived on the scene, and it will be here long after I am gone. So long that it may as well be an eternity, and I have no understanding of what that means...

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“Gratitude Can be Hard” by Rozmarin Ideas

Submitted to Contest #261

I find it hard to be grateful. The feeling is somewhat foreign to me, as I am oft mired in self-loathing and sadness. Thus, finding things to be grateful for is difficult.That’s not to say that I am lacking such things, only that I am very bad at seeing them. Thus, in the spirit of this week’s prompt, I have decided to enumerate the many good things in my life, in the form of a handy- and easily digestible -numbered list. 1. My Good Looks.To start off, we have perhaps the least valuable item. I am, by most accounts, at the very least d...

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“Hoping We'll Talk Soon” by Christine Foy Jackson

Submitted to Contest #261

Dear Mom, Thank you for the red bag you bought me. I never thought I’d say that. It’s large and, well, forgive me. Obnoxious is the only word I can think of. But you don’t care what other people think, ha ha. It hangs on my shoulder and way down to my knees, as you know because it’s a duplicate of yours. And it can get really heavy and puffy the more I stuff into it. The bag sat deflated in a corner of my closet for the longest time, just hanging there, the side punched in from emptiness. Again, sorry. I didn’t use it until I started going t...

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“Dear Aunt Janice” by Sophie P

Submitted to Contest #261

Thank you so much! Dear Aunt Janice,Mother says I am supposed to write you a thank you card for the jumper you gave me on my birthday. She said I have to be specific, so I guess I like the green baubles that stick out from the Christmas tree, even though my birthday is in July. Thanks anyway. From,Alfie — Thank you so much! Dear Aunt Janice,Mother says my last thank you card was not appropriate and also that I should say sorry for mentioning that my birthday is not during Christmas-time. This seems like an obvious fact, but I apologise...

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“Bound By Gratitude ” by Rosie Main

Submitted to Contest #261

What is gratitude? According to the dictionary, it is the feeling of being grateful. But what does that truly mean? Gratitude in practice is the mental state and emotional response characterized by feelings of thankfulness and appreciation. What does that feel like as a human? Having gratitude feels warm like a nice spring day right on the cusp of summer. It brings us joy and happiness, the type that makes us grin and our cheeks pink. It also builds relationships when we express gratitude for one another. It fosters a closenes...

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“Another Passenger on a Train” by George Georgerfrost@gmail.com

Submitted to Contest #261

It has been said that “thank you” may be the hardest word in the English Language to say. I don’t know if I agree, but it certainly has caused me some hardship in expressing my gratitude at times. I know for certain it is not social etiquette that prevents us from expressing our gratitude, but it has more to do with how we decide to express gratitude appropriately. Too often we fall short of the true depth of our gratitude and leave the impression that we are really not grateful at all for something that has been done witho...

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“Purple” by Amanda Wisdom

Submitted to Contest #261

Now what. I can’t move. I can’t think. I’m just sitting here, frozen, mouth slightly agape, staring at a sea of people. Well, a room with about 50 wedding guests, give or take— but you get the point. This isn’t a great start for a Maid of Honor.What am I supposed to do again? A small voice breaks through the fog. “Come on, Liss. You can do it. You’re almost there.” I look over at the boy sitting next to me. Not a boy anymore, not really. A man. Seth is more of a man now than our father ever was. I look into Seth...

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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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