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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#7: Scrumdiddlyumptious

Did you know: September 13th is Roald Dahl's birthday — so a "gloriumptious" Roald Dahl Day to you!

Roald Dahl was a children's book author, best known for classics like Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Gian Peach, and, well, the list of his beloved children's books goes on and on.

Dahl not only created whimsical worlds within his stories, he also created new diction, inventing words such as "gloriumptious" (pure marvelousness), "biffsquiggled" (being confused or puzzled), "churgle" (gurgling with laughter), and "ringbeller" (a really good dream).

This week, our prompts are all elements pulled from Roald Dahl's phizz-whizzing (splendid) books.

This week's prompts

Write a story with a child narrator.

Kids – 37 stories

Write a story that mixes everyday situations with surreal surroundings.

High School – 26 stories

Write a story where a chocolate cake plays a significant role.

Funny – 34 stories

Write a story about a person longing for family.

Angst – 44 stories

Write a story infused with dark humor.

Funny – 15 stories

Stories

“The Scarlet Diary” by Abby Edmund

Submitted to Contest #7

Mia was sitting in her home, tapping her pen on the blank sheet of paper. She usually would've filled her diary by now. Yet nothing exciting has happened for the past few weeks. Who would know that its always when she wants to fill her diary, nothing happens? Yet whenever she isn't even thinking about her diary, something... strange always appears. She has met many, many people in her life, but she never went far and beyond to stay friends with them, who could've known? Mia sighed and looked up at her ceiling. Even if she had to make somethi...

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“Defenders of the Universe” by Mariella Smith

Submitted to Contest #7

Chapter 1: How it All StartedWednesday, December 19 12:31 Seconds before the incident It was a normal recess. Five good friends, Harry, Damien, Rock, Lily, and Mariella were hanging out together. Damien and Harry were talking about what they did at the fair. “And then, we rode the Drop Zone together,” said Damien. “That was fun,” Harry added. “Wow, it sounds like you had a really fun weekend,” said Mariella. Suddenly, a mysterious spaceship came down. It was purple and had a beat-up, but still had a futuristic look. “...

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“Hymn of the Drexciya” by Theodore Child

Submitted to Contest #7

I put on my uniform and looked at the reflection staring back at me. I wore all white, a contrast to my dark skin, and I put my braids in a ponytail. Wearing my hair down is inappropriate according to school regulations. I tuck the cowlick behind my ear into a braid. The cowlick is a split hair that everyone in my family has somewhere on their heads, and though tucking it into my braids only temporarily hides it I still do it because it’s more comfortable to know other people can’t see it. The collar was itchy on my neck, so I scratched...

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“Ring of Eluned” by Allie F

Submitted to Contest #7

My name is Max, I’m what you can call a procurer of rare and hard to come by items. I deal in most circles but the one I’ve found the most lucrative is also the most dangerous. Now, I know what you’re thinking, art collecting and dealing, but you would be wrong. It’s the collection and trade of magical items, and not those fake hocus pocus ones you see those dime a dozen fortune tellers using on the main boulevards. You know those ones that suck in tourists, lost souls, hopefuls or even those doing it for a fun time. I’m talking about real m...

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“The Day The Dog Ate Our Future” by Iona Cottle

Submitted to Contest #7

“You idiot! What on earth were you thinking?” It hadn’t been the reaction he was expecting when his girlfriend arrived, but on reflection it really should’ve been. “You think I did this deliberately?” His girlfriend Becky opened her mouth, before snapping it shut again. In a way it would’ve been better if she’d just come out and accused him of it, rather than try to pretend that she had any respect left for him. “Oh thanks. Thanks a bunch Becky.” “Well come on. You’ve never liked Jasper, I know you want him gone.” “There’s a difference betwe...

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“8 minutes” by Ash LaLiberte

Submitted to Contest #7

So. Here we are. I am currently arguing with an 8 foot long talking goldfish. You may be wondering how this happened, and you might be surprised to hear that it all started with a slice of chocolate cake. We'll get to all that later, but first I have to give you some background information, or this story will make about as much sense as... well... an 8 foot long talking goldfish. First off, my name is Arnold. I'm a freshman at Gordon High, but... Not to brag or anything, I'm kind of a genius. Anyways, I had this great idea for my science fai...

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“Daddy Traded For A New Mommy, Too” by Bill & Mia Belew

Submitted to Contest #7

Enjoying lunch together was a favorite time of the day for this group of friends. Some of them had come to know each other from their very first day of kindergarten more than seven years ago. Their moms could gather and compare photo albums and literally see how their kids had grown up together. Indeed, sometimes their moms did get together. But not to share photos. They got together virtually to set up play dates and birthday parties and make schedules for dads to drive the kids to and from camps that were hours away or to the mall where th...

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“Missing Maisey” by Katelyn Riley

Submitted to Contest #7

A whisper echoes. “Mommy?” Elizabeth’s eyes scan, unbelieving. She hears it again, slightly louder, “Mommy? Where are you?” The voice pounded into her ears. Elizabeth’s hand reaches for the closed door in front of her. “I hear you baby!” She bangs on the door, craving to her daughter’s voice another time. As hard as she tries, the door doesn’t budge. Smearing the tears on her cheeks, she takes a few steps back and lunges forward. The door falls to the ground and she falls with it. On the other side, there was no child awaiting he...

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“Change Your Mind” by Nick Homberg

Submitted to Contest #7

“Hello, my name’s Toby,” said the man wearing a navy blue suit with tawny shoes that matched his wrist watch and belt. “Hello Toby.” Mumbled the other five voices in monotonous unison. Toby had onyx shaded hair that was slicked back, a cleanly shaven face, a glistening white collared shirt, and cyan tie - littered with white flowers - that was yanked against his trachea. He stood with his shoulders back, looked out at the people around him, and a small smirk crawled across his face. “Long time fan, first time attendee. Out of curiosity, woul...

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“Get Even” by Judy Li

Submitted to Contest #7

“What about the homework, Magnus?”“Well, I trust you are more than capable of finishing it after we come back from the party, Agatha,” Magnus says, holding the third lipstick, rolls her eyes, inspects herself in the mirror, applies. “How do I look?” “Hideous.” “Now, now it’s not the time to sulk. Oh, you’re right though,” Magnus rummages the vanity drawer for the ideal lipstick color for the evening.“Magnus, Magnus! Look at me, we have finals tomorrow!” Agatha’s on the verge of tears, she’s always been the responsible one, and for the life o...

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“I AM AN AMAZING CHILD” by Geny Heywood

Submitted to Contest #7

I AM AN AMAZING CHILD”========================== A children's book written exclusively for grown-ups ora grown-ups' book written exclusively for children....you decide! ========== by grandma geny heywood The story I am about to tell you should be challenging for you to discuss with your friends and your family. It is about how you might like to talk about death to children. I write about this view because I experienced the subject matter when I was a very young child and sort of understood, or I should say, I accepted, the fact that some li...

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“Life's Doors” by Colleen Pinner

Submitted to Contest #7

LIFE’S DOORSSchool had just let out for the summer and my parents went shopping for our upcoming camping trip. I wanted to go with them, but mom insisted Mrs. Sorenson, our next-door neighbor, stay with me. I was 11. I didn’t need a babysitter, but I didn’t get a vote. When the door closed behind them, a shiver ran down my back.Mrs. Sorenson is ok, but she makes these really awful cookies. I don’t want to hurt her feelings, so I always eat one. It takes a big glass of milk to soak the cookie up enough to even bite into it. My folks were only...

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“The secret” by Abeer Asif

Submitted to Contest #7

Zoom…ClickCurly brown hair and a set of dull grey eyes stared back at Flynn as he looked into the mirror. His crooked nose turned up in a sneer pulling at the wave of freckles that lined his nose.Let’s try this again, he thought.Lifting up the giant dictionary he held in his hands, he flipped through the withered pages arriving at the page he visited quite often. Pg-274Sadness: The basic human emotion of feeling unhappy or grieved over something.That’s right. He needed to be grieved.He closed his eyes and pictured his parents displaying thes...

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“Rainbow Fish” by Ali Richardson

Submitted to Contest #7

The bellowing of the creature outside my window wakes me from the pale faces of my dreams. My eyes slide open slowly to a lightening sky, the water around my head swirling silently. The bellow sounds louder now, dragging me to the window across my clothes littered floor. My curtains drift away from my fingertips as I swirl them through the water. There's a blue whale swimming between the apartment buildings, her powerful tail arching up and down smoothly and elegantly. Following her closely is a single calf, his movements sporadic and ...

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“Reviewing the Day” by Juli Seyfried

Submitted to Contest #7

I lost my favorite necklace. The small silver braided chain with the silver sun on it disappeared. I retrace my steps around the house. I pull my purse apart, my jewelry case apart; take a flashlight to the floor to see if something shiny is in an out of the way place. No luck. It’s after 6:00 p.m. I’ve been home from work for an hour now and all I’ve done is look for the necklace.I really don’t need this. I had enough bad things happen at work today. I don’t need more problems afterwards. My st...

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$50

Prize money

156

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Sep 20, 2019 EST

Won by Adriana K. Maxwell 🏆

Title: Don't Drink The Stars

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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