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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#57: Legacies

Everybody hopes they’ll be remembered. It’s a big part of why writers write, artists paint, and singers sing. It drives some to rise to great heights in politics or business. It’s part of why people have children.

But whether you hope to build a legacy through words, kind deeds, grand ambition, or a strong familial line, the truth is, we don’t always know how history will look back on us. All we can do is put our best selves forward, and hope that our integrity and values will resonate long after we’re gone.

This week’s prompts invite you to delve into people’s hopes for the future — and the legacies that may or may not be what they dreamed of.

This week's prompts

Write a humorous story about the descendant of someone remembered for an insignificant act.

Funny – 73 stories

Write a story about someone who’s famous for something they never actually did.

Character – 119 stories

Write a story about someone breaking a long family tradition.

Angst – 170 stories

Write a story about someone who travels to the future, and isn’t happy about how they’ve been remembered.

Science Fiction – 131 stories

Write a story that starts with someone writing their will — one they know people won’t like.

Dramatic – 183 stories

Stories

“A Checkered Past” by PK Spice

Submitted to Contest #57

‘If one more person congratulates me, or makes a joke, I cannot be held accountable for my actions. This cannot be my life. Let it go … deep breaths … LET … IT … GO,’ Phoebe Fardink mumbled to herself. ‘I should have moved away from this godforsaken place years ago.’ She tried to stay calm and suppress her anger as she made her way across the town square to her antique store called ‘The Checkered Past’.Why did she live in such a small, backward town? How could that one insignificant incident from her grandmother’s life be immortalized by a t...

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“The False King” by Bruce Charles

Submitted to Contest #57

“I think there’s been a mistake,” I said.“I’m afraid there’s no mistake, my friend,” he replied, shaking his head sadly. “I know it’s hard to accept, but you really are dead. From what I’ve heard, you put up a great fight. 4 years. That’s a long battle.”“No, that’s not what I meant.” I pointed at the door in front of us. “You said that this is where kings go after they die.”He nodded.“But...I’m not a king.”“Oh, really?” he said doubtfully. “So they just let anyone dress like that nowadays?”He was referring to the costume- and it was only a c...

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“Modern Furniture” by Kendall Defoe

Submitted to Contest #57

On the clear virtual screen in front of him, he saw that all of the readings were normal and ready for the first flight. The last technician had been fired, so Mr. Tacketh did all of the last-minute check-ups and reviews ahead of the final press conference. The lab was very quiet with just his thoughts and the soundless loops and swirls on the screen. This would have to work; it simply had to be effective when the moment of launch took place. He had dreamed of this for most of his life and the world wanted to see this come true.&nb...

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“The Ill Will” by Trinity Womack

Submitted to Contest #57

Lynwood allowed his lawyer entry into his study. “Lock the door behind you. I wouldn’t want the vultures to swoop down on us.” Vultures was the term he used to describe his family. It was not the most endearing title for one’s relatives, but neither would any of his family members, besides his dear daughter, could be called endearing. In fact, his ‘family’ was a bunch of distant relatives, all coming out of their hidey-holes when they heard tell that he was dying. &n...

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“Halloween in Hailsbury” by Lani Lane

Submitted to Contest #57

Daisy Crawford had very long, black hair that she always tied into a loose bun. She had dark eyes and a crooked nose that was constantly runny. Her arms were too skinny, and her knees knocked together when she stood still. She was also dead.She hadn’t meant to die. Daisy was only a child when it happened and she didn’t remember it much, to be honest. It happened three hundred years ago.“It was dreadful,” sniffed Clara Crawford, Daisy’s mother, whenever she got to reminiscing. “Such a blue body… the river was particularly fast that day….”Clar...

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“The Final Word of Yellow Roses” by Adriana K. Maxwell

Submitted to Contest #57

His job was boring. Paid well, but boring. But sometimes the people could be interesting. He peeked out at the waiting room at his 3 pm appointment. She was early, arrived at 2:25 pm. She wasn’t much. His receptionist said she had been almost impossible to hear on the phone. Her clothes were wrong. Borrowed, maybe, but no, they seemed too new. Stiff,...

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“Kingsley's cult” by Adebiyi Adedoyin

Submitted to Contest #57

Kingsley felt his ear pop as he landed in 3020. The pavement was very cold and his forehead crashed hard onto it, the pain coupled with the pop in his ears made him feel like his head had been smashed open with a sledgehammer. After a few minutes breathing in and out to wear off the effects of time traveling, he quickly dusted himself off, his simple doublet and trousers made him look odd yet fashionable and according to his calculations, old was the new fashion. He left the small alley and headed straight for the big art gallery, Ki...

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“A not so comical insignificant act” by Anshika Goyal

Submitted to Contest #57

It’s funny how some insignificant things and people, or more precisely insignificant things done by people turn out to have great importance. Have you ever experienced that? Or do you know someone who experienced that? Well, if you haven’t and you are interested, here is a story I know. Although I have never experienced it, someone somewhat close to me has. I feel that gaining recognition for insignificant acts can be considered acceptable as it promotes a society of encouragement. But is it really necessary to turn attention to the insignif...

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“Departure” by Indra Hatpins

Submitted to Contest #57

A drop of cool sweat prowled down to the tip of his nose as he prostrated before Brahma - the most ancient of all celestial beings - partly in exhaustion but mainly out of worship. His rigorous rite of penance had pleased the Oldest Father, who now stood before him in the flesh. Summoning a god is not an easy task. It takes twenty-one days of undisturbed meditation, gut-wrenching starvation, and parching thirst. Twenty-one days, rooted still like a tree trunk while chanting hymns within the walls of a focused mind. Such a ritual, when c...

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“The Shell Game” by Kathleen March

Submitted to Contest #57

It’s quite difficult to consider breaking a long family tradition, if you’re a member of my family. I thought I might be the end of the line because there’s barely anybody left, but my daughter seems determined to have traditions. She doesn’t have any children, though, so she really will be the end of the line. Rather sad, because I come from a long line of sentimentalists. Everything comes to an end, eventually. My point here is to stress that there are two types of traditions. One is often the holiday, birthday, or wedding type, where pe...

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“Chopping Down the Aspen” by Lina Oz

Submitted to Contest #57

There it is. Again.It’s happened three times today already.I narrow my eyes, waiting to catch it once more. I scan the street. The bench is cold beneath my legs, but sweat drips down my forehead all the same, stinging my eyes. I don’t want to miss it, don’t want to confirm that I am, in fact, certifiably insane. Someone, someone out there just needs to— There.This time, it’s an older woman with short, stubbly gray hair and thin glasses resting on a flat nose. She glances in my direction and nods. She looks away, back to the path before her. ...

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“The Dark Prince” by S. John

Submitted to Contest #57

“ㅡyou see, the thing about vampires is: it’s not all about the teeth and the violence; it’s about living forever and experiencing an amazing world beyond a human’s understanding. I’m not a monsterㅡI mean, I drink human blood, yes, butㅡI hardly ever kill my victims anymore. I don’t want to be the alpha species on the planet. It makes no difference to me whatsoever that my father is king; I have no qualms telling him that I’m out of the coven. “Ellie, just listen, I know I shouldn’t have pretended to be human, but I’m not lying when I say...

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“What's in a Name?” by Sadie Black

Submitted to Contest #57

"So, ah, there's something you should know before we go through with this," said Clyde as he knelt in the soggy grass."Oh god, anything, Clyde! I love you so much!" Jessica cried, mascara streaking down her face. "I can't wait to be Mrs. Packer!""Yeah see that's the thing," he began tentatively. "My name isn't Clyde Packer."Jessica's bloodshot eyes widened and the grin fixed on her face. Her voice shook. "What?"Her mind brimmed with horrible scenarios. Had he been lying to her this whole time? Was Clyde on the run? Living under an assumed na...

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“Will I, Won’t I?” by Tanja Cilia

Submitted to Contest #57

Real Estate Deeds - check. Jewellery inventory - check. Bank Documents – check. House photo album - check. List of vehicles - check. Monogrammed stationery - check. Chequebook - check. Ballpoints galore - check. Iced coffee - check. Ritz Crackers - check. Spotify on - check.Being of sound mind… that is my story, and I am sticking to it… I have decided to write this, My Last Will and Testament, which cancels all the others I have written so far.I know, posthumously and humorously, that most of you gathered here are at loggerheads with on...

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“Sick ” by Sandra Claros

Submitted to Contest #57

- this cancer seems to be spread all over his body. The life time that still remains seems to be short. - How short is it , doctor? - Well, madam, is a question of days, not more than a week. And the widow burst into non- stop convulsing tears, that covered all over her face, hiding her greenish eyes fading in sadness. - My advice is that you have to get things ready, before he leaves – said the assistant to the daughter of the sick man connected to intravenous fluids and heart monitorized. - Yes. We are waiting for the...

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$50

Prize money

676

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Sep 04, 2020 EST

Won by Iona Cottle 🏆

Title: Et Tu?

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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