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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#41: Fuzzy Friends (or Foes?)

Hey, writers! I'm Tracy Gold, an editor, writer, and mom to a toddler, horse, and dog. And this week, I'm taking over Reedsy Prompts!

As an editor, I've enjoyed working on young adult fiction (like Amanda Searcy's Watch You Burn), non-fiction (like Gary Vikan's The Holy Shroud), and sci-fi/fantasy (like Nikki Richard's Demon in the Whitelands). Visit my Reedsy profile to learn more about me and my work!

My theme for this week is "fuzzy friends." From Hedwig in the Harry Potter series to Enzo in the The Art of Racing in the Rain, nothing captures hearts like a beloved animal. Animals can be powerful antagonists, too: just look at Jurassic Park! Perhaps what I love most about books featuring fuzzy friends (or foes) is that they mine the depths of the human heart by exploring how we interact with animals. I hope these prompts help you sniff out a good story!

This week's prompts

Write about an animal who changes a person's life (for better or worse).

Kids – 232 stories

Write about an animal species that doesn't exist in real life — an alien, new discovery, imaginary creature — it's up to your interpretation!

Middle School – 145 stories

Write about an animal who goes on a journey.

Kids – 69 stories

Write a story featuring an animal who subverts expectations (like a snuggly tiger, or something more magical, like a literal fish out of water).

Kids – 69 stories

Write about an animal who causes a huge problem.

Middle School – 99 stories

Stories

“The Mouse and the Wolf” by David Jernigan

Submitted to Contest #41

“Where did you get that scar?” The Little Mouse squeaked her words out in a high pitched voice and grating tone that insulted the ears of the Old Wolf. The two of them padded along on the soft grass and heard the gurgling of the brook just to their left. An autumn breeze blew the chill afternoon air that portended a crisp night and possible snow. In the coming weeks, shelter would become difficult to find and food, scarce. He had felt his undercoat grow dense these past few weeks, and the Old Wolf was of the age when he was no longer su...

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“Tails from Ibbetson St.” by E. Christian

Submitted to Contest #41

When I was 22 years old and a new college graduate, broke and working a mindless job while I tried to figure out what it was that I was going to do with the rest of my life, I lived with three roommates in a falling-down triple-decker apartment building at the top of a hill and had adventures. We moved in the week after college graduation and found that the previous tenants, all graduating law students, had left most of their furniture behind. We were pleasantly surprised; after four years of campus living, none of us had any furn...

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“Who Hunts?” by Iona Cottle

Submitted to Contest #41

The building loomed up against the fading daylight, a grim black monolith on a deep grey backdrop. Even with all the city lights around, the patch of ground the desolate building stood on was shrouded in shadows.“Come on Ali. You’re not scared, are you?”Ali tried to not look worried, but he was still subconsciously chewing his lip. “’Course not. It’s just… well, are you sure it’s safe?”“So you are scared?”“I’m not scared of ghosts, Darren. I’m just worried that the floor’s going to give out-”“Oh come on. It’s not that bad. Buildings have to ...

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“Goose” by Mike Ox

Submitted to Contest #41

Gooses are fucking stupid cunts who deserve to die. They are arrogant as fuck, because they can swim, fly, and walk and they chase after me when I'm minding my own god damned business. Like, seriously? I don't have a car and I'm having to walk to campus when it's snowing like fucking Canada (btw fuck Canada, pussy ass polite cunts!); do I deserve this too? I've often fantasized about snapping their cunty little necks but I've managed to hold my temper. Fuck this competition, I just needed to vent. Seriously, a minimum word limit? What do I l...

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“The ultimate guide to parenthood perfection” by Zsofia Toth

Submitted to Contest #41

So let's make it clear right in the beginning: she is cute, but she is not a fury friend, not a niche of something in my life, especially not a child! She is a pet. Not less, not more.Not that I was planning to have a pet.. One day my friend, Liz called me if I would accommodate a stray cat."She is hiding under the van, and seems so scared" she said. "I have seen her around for a while. Someone must throw her out. What do you say?"What should I say? I am going to be a mom soon. I mean, not tomorrow or not in this month, but still, soon...

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“Ants from Space” by Bruno Lowagie

Submitted to Contest #41

“How much is this spaceship?” Arnold asked the man behind the counter.“Doesn’t it have a price tag?” The man asked.“If it has, I can’t find it,” Arnold said.“Let me take a look at it.”The man behind the counter took the toy from the boy and examined it closely. He didn’t remember ever seeing the object in the toy store, nor in any catalog from which he ordered his merchandise.He pretended checking his computer, and then lied: “Ah, now I see! It’s an item from our old stock. We don’t sell those anymore. You can have it for the bargain price o...

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“What it Takes to Live” by Chizoba Ebunilo

Submitted to Contest #41

The loud music playing from the speakers from the fayrouz stand did nothing to interrupt Rein’s train of thought as he trudged past. He knew better than to let emotions other than confidence, laughter and nonchalance show in front of anybody but he lost control this evening. He hadn’t meant to but something inside him had seemed to snap. There was only so much of this madness called life that he could take; no more. He walked a few more paces before his stomach growled. He was tempted to ignore it. Finally, he sighed and reached into the rig...

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“The White Whale” by Stephanie M.

Submitted to Contest #41

Weightless white crystals floated through the frosty autumn air turning the bright orange and yellow scenery white with snow. Bucket fumbled for his now lifeless candle as he gazed up at the falling snow. His eyes quickly adjusted to the darkness and he found himself alone. The snow still fell in flowing sheets of white ice but there was now no light. “Sonso?” Bucket cried for his older brother into biting cold air; there was no answer. Bucket got to his feet and realized he had no idea where he was. He noticed his freezing hands, pink nose...

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“Never a Dull Moment” by Avani Mitra

Submitted to Contest #41

I turned the key in the lock and pushed open the front door. I heard a jingling from the other room as Ringo appeared from around the corner, bounding towards me. I barely had enough time to set my keys down on the table before Ringo leaped upon me.“Hi, Buddy! Hello! Hello! You’re so excited to see me!” I exclaimed, a smile breaking across my face. Ringo’s tail wagged enthusiastically as I showered him with lots of love and pets. Mom’s head poked out from the kitchen entrance. “I thought I heard your voice. Aren’t you suppose...

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“Iris” by Kathleen March

Submitted to Contest #41

“Ganesha is widely revered as the remover of obstacles, the patron of arts and sciences and the deva of intellect and wisdom. As the god of beginnings, he is honored at the start of rites and ceremonies. Ganesha is also invoked as patron of letters and learning during writing sessions.”I am not a believer in much of anything, but I respect people’s right to believe. I believe in my ganesha, for example. I first heard about the ganesha when I was googling something about medieval bestiaries. There are some really creepy animals in those old m...

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“Dust” by Holland Hall

Submitted to Contest #41

Amelia held her cat close to her chest. From an onlooker’s perspective, it might have seemed as though a tattered scarecrow were standing in front of the house, clad in a faded yellow tablecloth, black rug in its arms, straw braids draped stiffly over its shoulders. Its mother called it from the doorway with a handkerchief clutched in her right hand. “Get inside. There’s another one comin’,” she said. The scarecrow turned helplessly from her post and retreated into the house before dust darkened the sky for the third time that week. Try...

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“elizaBEEth's day” by Micah Lewter

Submitted to Contest #41

elizaBEEth was ready to go with the first sign of light. Even if the sunlight didn’t wake her up, the sound of her thousands of sisters buzzing their wings did the trick. This was the way every day started. As soon as the sun went up, the sisters began their work. Some were guard bees, keeping watch day and night over the entrance. elizaBEEth looked at those stationed out there today. Good. They were the same ones from last night. She was always sad when new ones were there, because it meant something happened to them overnight. ...

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“The Invisible Toad.” by Susie Pedigo

Submitted to Contest #41

A little over two months ago I had adopted a puppy. The mom was some sort of spaniel and the dad was supposed to have been a Saint Bernard. The puppy had paws the size of salad plates. The Principal of my school had adopted the brother from a student and I had seen the puppy in the office. Adorable, soft fuzzy and friendly, I thought, I want one. So The Principal put me in touch with the dog owner and I visited. While the principal's puppy really did look like a miniature Saint Bernard,y the fuzzy, fur ball the owners introduced me to wa...

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“Home safely” by Roxie Van Der Linde

Submitted to Contest #41

The mist rolled through the forest as Jacob and Amy made their way towards the main road to wait for the school bus. These early winter mornings were getting to Jacob. Amy had been accepted onto the swim team at their high school and she needed to be there before 5 am. Their mom had asked him to go with her to school in the winter mornings when it was still dark. They walked silently through the forest, Amy in front, excited to be on a team her first year at high school. Jacob usually dragged his feet. This morning he was so tired and kept r...

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“Perceive the beautiful souls around.....” by Rita Parekh

Submitted to Contest #41

"Oh my! Hey just stay back.Please,if you can use another lift"Orrr..um let me get off.""Woah,don't panic!Trust me,they won't hurt.Stay there,the other lift is out of service."It was a question of just a few seconds but panic was swelling within me.My eyes constantly stuck on the duo four legged blackies.As the destination arrived one of them came sniffing towards me and I just ran out impulsively crying out in alarm.Next day the young lady was at my door apologising."Oh,I am so sorry for yesterday."she said."Hey,No worries"I continued feelin...

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$50

Prize money

614

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - May 15, 2020 EST

Won by Jack Basson 🏆

Title: A Cat of Ganymede

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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