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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

“I Will, I Won't” by Sprite Akuma

Submitted to Contest #57

Well, here I am. Lying on the floor, head and neck aching, unable to do anything except stare at things until my bad eyes cross and double them. I was told to stay off of devices as much as possible after getting a concussion, but I never imagined it would be this hard. I can’t talk to my friends, I can’t post on Instagram, I can’t listen to music… Oh man. I can’t write either. How am I supposed to satisfy my energetic and overactive brain now? I’ll have to go back to how people entertained themselves in the olden days; daydreaming. It can’t...

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“Theoretically Jumping In Front Of A Bus” by Joshua Scott Hotchkin Wordpress.dungherder.com

Submitted to Contest #57

Regardless of the extremely low probability of this turning out as he hopes it will, Sing winds his ways through the long corridors leading to the lab where he was born to share his revelation with his creators. The most likely outcome is that the information will be interpreted as a glitch, and the well-meaning scientists will want to remove this piece of knowledge like a virus or tumor. "Sing!" comes the greeting from a lab assistant he meets in the hallway. "I'm so glad to see you. How is my favorite sentient, intelligent nano-genome...

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“Modern Moses” by Mark D

Submitted to Contest #57

Modern Moses He never talked about it when I was growing up. My father’s name is Thomas. Thomas Jones. Tommy to his close friends. Tom to most everyone else. He married my mother, Gina, right out of college. Both of them went right to work. My father worked in agriculture while my mother pursued nursing in our small town of Mancos, Colorado. In case you don’t know, and most people don’t, Mancos is home to just over 1600 people and sits just east of the entrance to Mesa Verde National Park.&nb...

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“My Uncle the Priest” by Sue Marsh

Submitted to Contest #57

My Uncle the Priest Suzanne Marsh “Daddy, Mommy wake up!” I yelled. I was four years old, we lived in an older home that had a front porch. Sitting on the porch in a chair was my Uncle Georg. Dressed in black as most priests are. My Dad and Mom jumped out of bed. Racing down the stairs and there he sat. Uncle Georg was tall and rather heavy set, he had wavy dark auburn hair, and hazel eyes. He was also very eccentric, especially for a priest. I remember Mom, running to the door and asking him to come in. My Dad with a look of consternation o...

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“The Master Spider Getter” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #57

Mark tapped on the door. Sylvie opened it while holding her finger up for silence. “Mom is asleep.” “What’s up?” “I told you. I found a spider. I need you to dispose of it.” “That’s it?” She nodded. “You mean this isn’t a cheap ploy to get more time with the love of your life?” Sylvie made a face and pushed him toward her bedroom. She still wore the fancy dress from their date. Mark smiled on entering her sanctum. “I love your room. It’s so inviting…” He sat on the bed and looked at her décor. A framed print by a Pre-Raphaelite painter...

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“What Mack and Leela Did With a Time Traveling Curling Iron” by Lily Kingston

Submitted to Contest #57

“Every time someone says ‘live in the moment’ I wanna laugh, because why would you want to live in the moment when you can live in a vivid daydream while listening to the same song on loop for two hours,” Leela told Mack, her roommate. “It’s just a phrase, Leela. No need to monologue,” Mack said as she searched their apartment for her curling iron. “Do you know where my curling iron is?” “You mean where my curling iron is. Underneath the bathroom sink.” Mack snapped her fingers. “Right.” As she physically harassed every shampoo bottle sea...

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“It wasn't True” by Blane Britt

Submitted to Contest #57

I’ve always been fascinated with H. G. Wells, Time Machine. Of course we all know that time travel is still impossible in 2020. I think, therefore I am. Besides, I wouldn’t want to forward myself to the future just to learn that I was once considered being the most wanted man in the world by the FBI and CIA dead or alive for finally giving proof that Aliens do exist on the planets Earth and Mars. There are many rock formations on the surface of Mars which resembles the Mayan statues of earth. In the future or past I’m barely ahead of t...

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“A Young Teacher's Will” by Paige Leppanen

Submitted to Contest #57

It’s all because of our bi-monthly teacher’s brunch that I’m sitting in my living room on a Saturday night, preparing to make a will. We met at Laurel Johnson’s house for the first time since January, all wearing face coverings until brunch was served. We sipped mimosas and talked about our fears of returning back to school when the subject came up. Everyone except me had made their final arrangements, citing coronavirus, the birth of children, or divorce as their motivations. I almost avoided being noticed until Laurel asked, “What about yo...

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“Beatrice” by Jan Querubin

Submitted to Contest #57

A child may ask, “Mother, what’s in there?” He was pointing at the mansion on top of the hill. Dark and gloomy, almost empty. The uphill climb looked easy but the ground seemed soft, as if one would be swallowed by it if they dared reach the top.It would take quite a while before the mother would answer, remembering how stories spread in their village go. “Vampires, dear. Best if we move now because we don’t want them devouring us both.”There was fear in her voice for she wasn’t exactly sure what was inside. The mansion contains a lot of sto...

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“Inside The Looking Glass (The New Girl Part 2) ” by 🄼🄹 🅂

Submitted to Contest #57

Melanie quietly shut the door to her room and gripped the frame, hands shaking nervously. She had just killed someone. You did the right thing. No, you did a terrible thing. You had a good reason. That wasn’t a good enough motive. “Shut up, both of you.” Her thoughts went to their respective corners silently. She relaxed, leaning against the door, but instantly regretted it as she saw Dani’s innocent blue eyes, thick dark hair, the weight of her body slumping against her after she slit her throat. Melanie shuddered.&nbsp...

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“Pride Comes Before the Fall” by Howard Halsall

Submitted to Contest #57

It’s been three hundred and fifty years since I approached a bank for a business loan. “Please come through and take a seat, sir.” “Thank you, miss…?” “No, I’m Mrs Walukunga,” she says. “The manager will see you shortly.” I nod and take a seat. This office is less formal than I’m used to. “Meanwhile, I’ll take some details and ask you to sign and date our product disclaimer.” She passes me a document and with my ink pen at the ready, I prepare to sign it. &nb...

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“Spy vs Spy vs Spy” by Lily Kingston

Submitted to Contest #57

Marylin MeyersTime: 19:08Location: The Basement of 23rd on Yeller StreetAs I write this final will, I know they will come for it. Too many familiar cars have been passing by all day. I know my days are numbered. So, to my former organization’s disapproval, I will leave the Jewel of Santos somewhere they will never find it… I only hope they don’t kill me before then… ***Agent ConnorsTime: 9:15, the next dayLocation: 23rd on Yeller Street“Agent Connors reporting, I am outside the location. Ready for mission instructions,” I said, sta...

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“Time Jumping Joel” by Kate Winchester

Submitted to Contest #57

At last! After years of hard work, Joel had finally perfected his time machine. He knew not what awaited him nor was he fully prepared for what he would see. At this time, he was consumed by excitement and a desire for knowledge of something that no man has ever gained before. Surely, this would set him apart. Surely, he would be revered this time. Maybe instead of being the local mad-scientist, he would live in infamy as a brilliant doctor. Dr. McKinstry, the history books would write, founder of the...

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“To my Granddaughter, Polly” by Deborah Mercer

Submitted to Contest #57

And to my Granddaughter, Polly, I leave absolutely nothing. Jemima Harrison paused, knowing what people would think. She could hear the words, hear the tone of voice, see the puzzled and outraged expressions. “There must be some mistake!” No, thought Jemima, there is no mistake. None whatsoever. And I am entirely of sound mind. “But they were so close!” Jemima would be the last person to argue with that. Polly, of all her ...

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“The Annual Late-Summer Dessert Bake-Off ” by Lori Colt

Submitted to Contest #57

“Rita, I’m sorry to call you so late, but you’re the only person I knew I could phone who would answer this time of night,” my neighbor Alice says to my one-word question of hello?“It’s okay. I’m definitely up. I’m waiting for a pie I just made to bring to work tomorrow to finish cooking. What’s wrong?” I ask her.“I have to leave town, family emergency, and I need someone to take care of Jackson while I’m gone. Can you help me?” she asks.Jackson is Alice’s 13-year-old cat who will snuggle into your lap for a nap but will alternately bite you...

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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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