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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

“WHITE ROSE ” by Jaysika Gupta

Submitted to Contest #57

“And roll number twenty- five… twenty-five, is twenty- five absent?’’ “psst, Nyx ma’am is calling you, wake up’’ my friend Bea whispered in my ears. When I looked I was startled by the look Miss Marie was giving “ yes ma’am I’m…I’m present’’, She glared “the class was not waiting for you miss, look at yourself, sleeping in first period, laps around the field, now!!’’, “and my day starts”, I said grabbing social studies book from my bag, which made Bea chuckle a little. I went straight to the field which was downstairs to the right and let me...

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“The Steven Walker Festival” by Kieri Zink

Submitted to Contest #57

I had to be sure, so I asked one more time: “This is going to work, right?” Dr. Montague paused the last minute check and stared at me. We made eye contact, but her hazel eyes seemed lost in another dimension behind her crooked black spectacles. “Of course,” she said. “You are well aware of the risks and -” “Look, Lisa,” I interjected, “is this thing going to get me where I want to go or isn’t it?” “It’s Dr. Montague,” she replied in a clipped tone. “I don’t use my Christian name with the general populace....

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“Lost” by Tella Cartley

Submitted to Contest #57

Lost. I’m lost, melted into the vast majority of people. I've become unnoticed, uncared for. Lost, lost, lost. Lost and having nowhere to go."No one cares about my life, about how much I’ve tried to help, to improve this world. Everything I've done, and I become lost. Forgotten. Makes me wonder why I even tried? Why did I put all my efforts, everything I had, everything I owned into helping and improving this world? When it becomes lost, lost, lost. My entire life, I’ve strived to help and improve the life people have here. Not just me, but ...

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“The Longest Journey” by Jenifer S

Submitted to Contest #57

Emma Chains watched the sands of time trickle down before her eyes, helpless from its cruel clutches. She had written only a page of words, disassembled and incoherent. Her mind was beautifully chaotic, a cyclone of ideas and expressions that seemed to make sense. But as soon as she picked up a pen or a paintbrush, everything seemed to collapse and disappear. It was a torturous endeavour of not being able to express herself, but she accepted it was just one of the many burdens of all bright thinkers. With the chirps of crickets crept in...

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“3 minutes” by Henry Briggs

Submitted to Contest #57

3 minutes Evan has not paid his rent for four months. His landlord, Mr. Porter has been patient with him because he knows that Evan lost his job six months ago and has to use his savings to pay other bills including child support. Evan feels bad for not paying rent and plans to go to the bank to take out a loan. Before he goes to the bank, he takes a few minutes to nap. While he is sleeping, he hears loud knocking on his door and a loud voice screaming his name: “Evan! Evan! I know that you are at home! Your car is parked outside! Come out...

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“The Ring and Bill’s Will” by Jill Ann

Submitted to Contest #57

Well, what a day it’s been so far and it’s not finished yet. I still have to finish writing my Will. When I think of my family, they mean the world to me. So why in the world is my son so ungrateful? I’ll never understand it. I’ve always been the most kind and caring father. My beloved wife is gone, but I will be by her side in heaven one day. The worst part of today is, I have to fix my Will, which was written years ago. My name is Bill. I’m seventy years old and my wife, Susan has been gone now for twenty-five years. My wife and I wrote th...

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“Maybe you will see after this” by Me Minez

Submitted to Contest #57

At some point in our lives we all must write out our Will, so now seems like a good time. In fact I have so much to say, first thank you all for coming to the reading of my Will. I Anette Cramerton am writing this to say goodbye to you all and give away some of my things. If you are here, you were invited, so yes it is meant to be. I know a few of you are probably feeling a bit out of place. Thank you all again for coming in hopes that the day of the reading is a beautiful one. Where shall I begin? Life what a beautiful thing make sure ...

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“Just in Case” by Kris Levy

Submitted to Contest #57

When people write their wills, it’s normally in front of a lawyer, not at one’s ratty kitchen table at two in the morning. It wasn’t that he had to write a will, but after the ‘incident’ with his sister, he might as well write something down for his coworkers to find if that day comes earlier than anticipated. He sat in his cold, poorly lit apartment, with a flimsy one subject notebook in front of him. In his hand was a chewed up pencil with an overused eraser top now stained gray from all his mistakes. He’s gone through pages upon pages of...

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“The Last Will and Testament of Edgar William Sollow” by Anna Kitchens

Submitted to Contest #57

Last Will and Testament of Edgar William Sollow Dear Fredrick, Here is the order in which I am designating my affairs and inheritance to you and your sister. To Katerina Belle Sollow, my beloved and good-willed daughter: All property in my name. Horses and all of their care. Life insurance of $2,000. Family jewelry and gold: Katerina To Frederick William Sollow : All photographs and letters from family of those I have slaughtered in your name, and this last testament of my own honor and justification. I...

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“Cam Patterson” by Sav G

Submitted to Contest #57

Cam I can’t believe how no one is being supportive of my decisions. No one appreciates my own thoughts. I’ve worked so hard rewriting this will, and nobody is pleased with it. I know 21 is a young age to start writing your will, but I can feel it happening. I can feel my soul slowly breaking apart with this world. Or maybe it's just all of the seizures I’ve been having. The tonic- clonic seizures have been happening to me since I was 8 years old. It wasn’t that bad at first. I just kept peeing on my bed, my clothes, our dinner chair....

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“Spindle's Will” by Lizzie Brown

Submitted to Contest #57

Spindle's Will Mr Barnes, the stiff collared solicitor held the sheet of paper up to the light and read out loud the words it contained. Mr Spindle listened as best he could in the grips of death, smiling to himself as he thought of the family all coming together to hear the new will read after he was six-foot under. He wouldn't have bothered to change it if it weren't for that upstart family of his who had a sudden hampering for his attention; his cousin was the first to get in touch. "I want to see you, cousin, that's all," h...

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“The Pink Vase” by Felicity Edwards

Submitted to Contest #57

The phone rang and an efficient secretary answered. “Good morning, Blackstock and Pittman Solicitors. Can I help you?” It was an old lady’s voice which Miss Young immediately recognised. “What can we do for you, Mrs Langdon?” Twenty minutes later, Mr Oliver Blackstock was sitting beside Mrs Langdon’s bedside. “What did you want me to do for you today?” The old lady smiled. “I’ve thought about your suggestions and want you to write a new will for me. I know I don’t have much longer, so you better get it done quickly.” He smiled to...

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“Regifted” by Jesper Jee

Submitted to Contest #57

As the rain entered into its second hour and the sound of a million drops hitting a hundred panes of glass echoed through the halls of Chrestfall Manor, Henry Lovvold put his pen aside and rested his palms on both sides of the letter he’d just finished. Having written by hand most of his life, all new and arguably easier ways aside, if felt appropriate and almost poetic that his final thoughts would be passed on this way —a relic laid to rest. He looked upon the pristine lettering, the wording of which had been fixed in his mind for a long t...

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“The Right Tool For The Job” by Freddy Iryss

Submitted to Contest #57

The sun reflecting off my platinum-gold pen Max gave me for my sixtieth birthday yesterday, hurts my eyes. I could move away from my favourite writing desk. Or use another pen. I hear dad’s voice in my head saying ‘always use the right tool for the job.’I sigh. Only because I could doesn’t mean that I will. Since the occasion of my writing is of high consequence, I decide against one of the Bic pens I keep in ten-packs in my drawer. The Lamborghini of pens should be the right tool for this job. I lower the blinds to block out the sun. Who wo...

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“The Will and The Dog” by Max Calvada

Submitted to Contest #57

“Pat, please read where I left off?” asked Mrs. Finch before wheezing and coughing violently“And so, this is my last will and testament.” Pat began “I know none of you will understand nor appreciate my humor as much as I currently am. But I know that this all is for the best. Oh, and know that I now can die happy.” Pat stopped and turned to Mrs. Finch“I stopped there, Pat?” asked Mrs. Finch“Yes ma’am. All that’s needed is your signature.”“Hmm,” Mrs. Finch hummed thoughtfully while signing “I want to add one more detail.” Mrs. Finch said reac...

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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.

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