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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

“The Estranged Cousin” by Terri Gower

Submitted to Contest #57

“Now, Mrs. Wentworth. You said you wanted to make some changes to your will regarding your niece and nephew, is that correct?” The man speaking was a tall, broad chested middle aged man in a grey wool tailored suit and gray hair brushed in a comb over. “Yes Rowland, that is correct. Can you please read out what I previously had down for Fredrick and Beatrix?” Mrs. Wentworth was a small woman with short white curls and an oversized cable knit sweater. Her face was lined, but her eyes were bright and sharp. “Of course. To one Beatrix Wilhelmi...

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“A pomegranate and a painting” by Stephen Timm

Submitted to Contest #57

Have you ever wondered why there’s a pomegranate in Salvador Dali’s painting “Sting Caused by the Flight of a Bee…”? You know the Spanish artist? I’m sure you’re familiar with the picture I’m talking about, or maybe not. After all, it’s pretty complex to explain (that’s perhaps why you don’t remember it as well as say those warped watches and time pieces in the most well-known of his paintings, “The Persistence of Memory”), so let me describe it to you. Right slap bang in the middle (well okay, a little towards the bottom) there’s a naked ...

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“The Fallacies of Lady Justice” by Anastazia Rudolph

Submitted to Contest #57

“What would you like for your last meal?” The guard’s typically menacing voice had taken on a softer tone, almost one of pity. He stood just outside the heavy metal door, a slot open in its face so he would be heard. Aside from that, a small window near the ceiling was the only indication that the outside world continued to exist. “Apple pie, please. Some ice cream with it, if you can.” “Flavor?” “Vanilla. Just vanilla.” The slot snapped closed with an echoing click, cutting off the cell once more. Terrence Crawford was left alon...

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“That Flashback” by Anna Rogers

Submitted to Contest #57

Robbie and I were best friends, at least that is until I achieved dubious fame.Missing Girl Found By Walkerscreamed the headlines, above a photo of me holding a bewildered,dishevelled child. Two days prior 5 year old Jennifer Dreaver had wandered off during a family bush walk. Searchers were combing another section of bush. We saw them on the way in , and of course Robbie wanted to join them. I managed to talk him out of it. Which is ironic considering that I emerged an accidental hero.Now that was a right circus.Amidst the scrum of reporter...

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“THE WARRIOR” by Gurumoorthy Narasimhan

Submitted to Contest #57

THE WARRIOR Abberley. A beautiful village near Worcester from where I emerged and developed as one of the experts in archaeology in U.K. I remember vividly the early morning walks I had with my father ,the tall and strong man in the village, working as a teacher of history in the local school for higher studies. ...

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“The Early Show with Jeff Weber” by Z N

Submitted to Contest #57

I am not a good person. I wouldn’t say I’m a bad person, but I’m definitely not a good person. And I most certainly did not save that kid’s life. Three years ago, a video of someone saving a kid from drowning went viral on twitter; everyone started referring to the unknown hero as “the de-suffocater” - I know, probably not the best sounding nickname, but not all internet users are czars of nicknaming. The guy in the video looked uncannily similar to me, so one night my drunken self decided to start commenting on posts about the matter, claim...

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“Life Turning Point” by Anne Benita

Submitted to Contest #57

LIFE TURNING POINT Charles was an energetic young boy who loves to learn a lot. He was born to a family who followed strict values in life. Being in a military family, he had no interest in doing service to the nation. But he measured the values in living a good delighted life. But he doesn't concern about anybody else in life. That was an autumn morning, he was packing his things for his college picnic. But his father and moth...

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“You Know Who That Is?” by Alexander DiStefano

Submitted to Contest #57

It had been a long ride up to meet the train, but Josiah and the boys had finally arrived in the growing railroad town of Tilburg and unloaded Mr. Portis’s 1,427 head for a fair and hefty sum. Almost the instant they’d gotten all the beeves corralled the men had scattered, some to wash away the dust of the trail, others to spend their pay on gifts for the girls back home and maybe a quick poke at one of the town’s many cathouses, leaving the forman to handle all the business arrangements. But Josie and Pat, wise beyond their combined thirty-...

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“Panem et Circenses” by A. Chavez

Submitted to Contest #57

Stella set the cake down in the middle of the table. The delicate serving platter matched the two place settings that mirrored each other on either end of the small tea table. Crumbs gathered along the left rim of the platter and the cake sat slightly on the diagonal - Stella had scraped it from the plastic packaging onto the fancier serving dish quickly and without much thought. “Doesn’t that look nice,” Nana said. “Yes,” Stella nodded. Nana gestured to the serving knife. “Go ahead.” Stella leaned over and cut a wedge out of...

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“Fortune In Moldova” by C Davis

Submitted to Contest #57

Cameras flash. I smile. My hand is sticky with sweat as I reach for Igor Dodon’s hand, the president of Moldova. As we shake hands, reporters shout, pushing their own camera operator to the front of the crowd. I stand feeling very aware of what I am doing with my arms as a man in a crisp tuxedo marches to the podium holding an award made of glass. The award flashes as it catches the glare of the sun. As I am presented the award the camera’s click more violently. A few minutes later I am amid the crowd, questions firing from every direction, ...

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“Norah's Home” by Emily White

Submitted to Contest #57

“Norah, are you done unpacking?” her mother calls from downstairs. Norah lets out a groan. As her mother mounts up the stairs, Norah braces herself for her mother’s scolding. When Mrs. Blackwood reaches the upstairs foyer, she nearly has a heart attack at the sight of her nine-year-old daughter’s room. “Norah Marie Blackwood, we have been in this house for three whole days and you haven’t unpacked a single box! Your brother Evan already unpacked all his stuff the day we got here!” Norah rolls her eyes. “Yeah, because that stink-face ...

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“Somewhere at parallel world - Asher” by Pragya Pun

Submitted to Contest #57

normal'thinking'''speaking'' *Thundering and raining* ‘‘It is continuously raining today. Heavy flood is the result of it. It is said today comet is going to crash through our earth. And don't know when would this rain stop. Please stay at home there is going to be some kind of big disaster today and it is said that there is more chance that comet would crash somewhere at lidtrai park. So please be safe at home.‘’ Someone is calling me, ‘’Oh, it’s Faust....

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“Family Traditions” by Amie Bontrager

Submitted to Contest #57

Dear Diary, Every family has a tradition. But not everyone follows those traditions. Sometimes you get a, how should I say this? A more independent kid. Hey there. My name’s Emily Green. I come from a long, long… long... long, line of farmers. I grew up in the country, and, on the outside, I’m your stereotypical country girl; long braid, freckly face, light tan. I have cowboy boots and a wide-brimmed hat, and I wear jeans and plaid shirts. But, believe it or not, I don’t want to be a farmer or a ranch hand. I want to be a g...

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“SELF CENTERED” by Ramanujam Narayan

Submitted to Contest #57

SELF CENTERED It was mid summer. The weather was cloudy, hot and sultry. I was returning home late at night from Amar Mahal after visiting a friend. I noticed the time was past 11.30 pm. As I approached Eastern Express-Agra highway, I saw a crowd of people standing near a public carrier. Out of couriosity, I asked a passerby "kya hua bhai, ithna bead Khun hai". He said " Arre Saab, ek admi us larry ke nechye kuchal gaya hai". I just nodded and proceeded further home. On second thought, I turned back and went to the accident site, got min...

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“The Lost” by Celine Arnobit

Submitted to Contest #57

You don’t belong here.The sentence still rang in my mind like the sound of a penny thrown into an empty washing machine.I still thought of the way She had tossed me aside like I was nothing. The way Her words—sharp, cold knives that they were— cut right through me.How quickly I believed Her. How naturally I accepted Her words as truth— that I was unimportant. I wasn’t wanted here.That was two days ago. For two days I had been gazing out of the bars that lined the four walls of the jail cell. It was anyone’s worst nightmare.I’d heard stories ...

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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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