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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

“Elephant as a pet.” by Adrienne Koester

Submitted to Contest #41

Sophia a 7-year-old woke up one day really late. Then her mom came in and wanted to go to the zoo. Sophia really wanted to go because she loved to see the elephants. The elephants loved her too. It was a short drive and all the way there she said are we there yet tons of times. When they finally got there she was so excited she ran right in. Her mom yelled wait many times but Sophia would not stop. A car about ran her over since she wasn't paying attention. Finally her mom Sairy caught up to her and was not happy. Sophia said her sorry and t...

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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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“Angel of Light ” by Timothy Coupland

Submitted to Contest #41

New recruits often ask me, “What’s the scariest monster you’ve ever faced?” I’ve worked at the Paranormal Anomaly Department for over ten years, which is nine years longer than half of our recruits will last. These young men and women already have their preconceived notions of what we deal with. See, they think I’ll tell them about some horrific winged beast with razor sharp claws, or of a cult with dark magics bent on bringing about the apocalypse. “Sure”, I tell them, “I’ve come up against plenty of these, but none of them keep...

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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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“Spotlight” by Synia Sidhe

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #41

I drag my trunk through the cool sunset orange water of the lake. The golden tassels dangling over both sides spread out on the surface like the legs of waterbugs. I swing left and right. The bug legs scurry in formation, like humans on parade. THWACK I jerk my trunk up and flecks of water fly over the sand, darkening where they land like blood drops. As usual Gavith is standing near the line of stinging flesh on my side; he has a stick. He's my handler and has been for three years, I see him everyday and he hits me everyday. What is u...

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“Rats” by Robert Mackey

Submitted to Contest #41

“Jenny! Jenny!” Jenny rolled her eight-hundred-pound body into her father’s in-home laboratory in her custom scooter. “Yes Papa?” “I got it! It works!” “Really?” “Yup. I’ve been force-feeding this rat for a month. It could barely walk. After just three days on the treatment it has lost a whole pound while I’ve kept its diet constant.” “It’s only a pound Papa.” “A pound is twenty-five percent less than what he weighed three days ago.” “Wow. That’s great!” “Are you ready to give it a try?” “Oh, yes. Please.” Papa handed Jenny a beaker with hal...

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“I Waved and He Waved Back” by Kumar Subra

Submitted to Contest #41

Have you ever thought about the day in your childhood when your parents picked you up and put you down for one last time? Knowingly or unknowingly, they never picked you up again after that day. They thought maybe you could take care of yourselves or you were too big for them or more often than not, simply there was never a reason. That’s how it is in life for everyone. But that was not the case for me. I could still remember the last time my papa hugged me and lifted me off the ground. I was still a very small kid and the memories are fadin...

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“mothers love ” by Pragya Khadka

Submitted to Contest #41

The storyTitle: - Mother's loveThere was a house next to a forest and a man lived there. He raised an elephant together to make a living. The man used to ride elephants around the forest and earn his living by riding elephants. The elephant was very obedient because it was a pet. The elephant made everyone who rode on the elephant very happy. Everyone praised the elephant and paid more than they asked for. Due to which the income of the owner was getting very good. According to the behavior of the elephants, the owner of the house took good ...

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“Prom Night” by Callie Townsend

Submitted to Contest #41

“I am okay. I am okay. I am fine. Just breathe. You know I did not think that I would start the telling of this story with a panic attack, but I guess I am already in prison so none of this went the way I thought it would go. Anyways, it was my prom night and my date had just picked me up. We were riding in a limo she had rented, and we were both all dressed up. Of course, like any one’s prom it was awkward and tense, but I planned to have fun. It came out of know where, but all of the sudden our limo was no longer moving. With a huge crashi...

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“Kitty doesn't care” by Audrey Winter

Submitted to Contest #41

I hate going out to get the post. I hate leaving my safe space in the house; I hate the knot in my stomach as I look over anonymous white envelopes with my name on them. I hate opening them and I hate the tasks they force on me, pay my bills, go to the dentist, it’s always something and it overwhelms me with anxiety. I promised myself I would do it today. Just go and get it. I don’t even have to look at it. I can save that for tomorrow. As I open the door, I see a kitten sitting on my doorstep. I blink stupidly at it. It’s a three coloured g...

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“Broken Bridges Restored” by Sze-Ning Chuah

Submitted to Contest #41

Every piece must have a good introduction. Because that’s when you’re first acquainted with the theme, before you embark on a musical journey, composing multiple variations towards its resolution. At least that’s what Master tells the Little Master. I have no idea what a good introduction to a musical piece is though. I think you need opposable thumbs for it. Of which I lack, being a Siberian Husky. I think I got a good introduction to music itself though, just by virtue of being in this family. And I’ve thoroughly enjoyed learning...

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“Scattered Puzzle Pieces” by Zuriel Wurah

Submitted to Contest #41

Breathing in the gray, drifting smoke, going up into the dark sky, coming from the group, makes me sick. But there’s nowhere else for me to go. Five days ago, I became a member of the Inferno Society, an opulent gang for boys. My older sister, Winnie, had sent me to the store to buy her an atrocious lime green hair dye that her boyfriend wanted her to wear, reminding me of all disgusting things: mucus, frogs, and peas. Me being her little brother I hated the idea of her boyfriend.The fact that she was going to change her coiled, black hair, ...

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“Free To Fly” by Joy Barton

Submitted to Contest #41

Reg blotted his sun ravaged forehead with a crusty, crinkled napkin he retrieved from his pants pocket. He let out a throaty sigh, his breath meeting the heavy, hot July air, tasting of engine fuel and sausages sizzling from the nearby hot dog vendor.Plunging the dampened napkin back into his pocket with a clammy, shaky hand, he zig-zagged his way through a plight of other humans like him, couples chattering with shopping bags swaying in their hands, their mouths open in laughter, as if to swallow him. An old man trudging toward him, his woo...

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“The Happy Octagon” by Annie Ruhangakiza

Submitted to Contest #41

Ariella walks and walks till her legs tire. The bright sky a great contrast to her current mood. She checks on her health app and she's walked round and round in circles along the beach shore for four kilometers. If anyone was watching, they would have thought her mad. They probably wouldn't have gone closer to her either. Who wants to approach someone who's walking aimlessly along the shores of the beach. Ariella notices a broken log and chooses to sit down. Her body is exhausted from the unplanned work out. She stares at the unending sea o...

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“Independent As A Cat” by Sapna Reinant

Submitted to Contest #41

Aaruni awakened with a start in response to the sound that was a personal alarm clock without a snooze button. She had gotten to bed quite late last night. It was nobody’s fault but her own. She always put off the hospital paperwork till the last possible moment despite knowing that it would come back to bite her later. Speaking of biting, she turned her head slightly and opened just one eye, trying to hold on to the last tatters of her slumber. There he was, sitting and staring at her with those huge, dilated eyes that made her heart fill u...

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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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