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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#86: Springtime Flowers

March 21st may be considered the first day of Spring by many, but Mother Nature doesn't always agree. Depending on where you live, the daffodils could be showing their sunny faces or still hibernating under frozen soil.

For me, it’s usually a mix. Here you can be wearing shorts one day and shoveling snow the next, but one thing is consistent: as soon as the weather warms up, I’m bursting outside to gulp down that fresh air and watch the world come back to life. This week, regardless of what the weather actually holds, let’s celebrate the season of rebirth and renewal. After all, in our imaginations the sun can always be shining and the birds can always be chirping!

This week's prompts

Set your story at a park during a spring festival.

Spring – 82 stories

Write about a character coming out of a long hibernation (either literal or metaphorical).

Spring – 158 stories

Write a fairy tale about someone who can communicate with woodland creatures.

Kids – 167 stories

Start your story with one character pointing out the first sign of spring to another.

Spring – 106 stories

Write a story where flowers play a central role.

Spring – 278 stories

Stories

“It's all in the name” by Katy Lou

Submitted to Contest #86

Those long beautiful fingers with their immaculately filed nails gently holding the tiny white bud to present it to her like a beautifully wrapped gift, “Here they come Lily, these little flowers are your namesake.” She looks wistfully at Lily, the face looking back at her so subtly showing all she has lost and yet embodying all she has to be grateful for. Standing in her pristine garden with its borders she has spent careful hours planning, deciding with care what to plant. She feels everyone of her sixty five years, how much longer can...

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“Spring is here!” by Shelly Wota

Submitted to Contest #86

As Charles is out walking with his six year old grandson, Jerry, he asks him if he is excited about springtime. "What's springtime?" Jerry asks. Charles tells him it's when the days will get longer, which means it won't be dark so early, and it will be warmer. It may also mean that it won't snow anymore. But, that is only one way that means spring is coming. "What is another way?" Jerry asks. Charles stops, picks up Jerry and shows him a nearby tree. "See those small things on the end of this branch," he tell Jerry. "well, those are ...

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“A Sure Sign of Spring” by Kay DiVerde

Submitted to Contest #86

“I saw a Robin!” Elle shouted as she looked out the window. Her kids had heard this explanation before and knew it was a sure sign of spring. Tommy loved his mom’s excitement but felt compelled to ask, “Mom, you say that once each year. Why do you know it is spring when you see a Robin?” Spring was Elle’s favorite season, and it was always a...

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“They Wait...” by Larry M

Submitted to Contest #86

“Hey! Hey you! Look around the yard. Can’t you see what’s happening?” “What?” “Look around you!” “Are you talking to me?” “Yes, I’m talking to you! Don’t you see what’s happening?” “I see it.” “Aren’t you going to do something?” “I will. When I’m ready.” “When you’re ready? When will you be ready?” “When everything is right.” “What does that even mean?” No response. “What’s wrong with that tree?” said the young Redbud to the tree next to him. “They wait,” said the older, more experienced Oak. “They wait? Wha...

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“Here Comes The Rain” by Austin McCreary

Submitted to Contest #86

I sprint out the door, the cool breeze tasted like sweet honey and flowers, the air smelt of roses. "Spring" I sigh as I close my eyes and spin in circles, my arms stretched out beside me. I open my eyes, I stand in a large field outside my front door. There were bees buzzing, and flowers blooming. "Tylin! Get back in here!" I grunt, yes it was late and yes we were in the middle of eating dinner but this was my favorite time of year and at this exact moment, spring had started. I see my older brother latch onto the door and pop his head out ...

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“As They Rise in the East” by Jennifer Johnson

Submitted to Contest #86

I am never sure how long it has been, but long enough that I have grown most intimately acquainted with the sky outside my window. I know that it has been years. The stars continue in their exquisite timing, the finest of clocks and the finest of entertainments. I have gotten to know my corner of the sky better than a lord knows his tenants – better than a shepherd knows their flock. When the sun rules the sky, I am able to see an occasional cloud, and if I strain to my top height and the day is clear, I sometimes glimpse the smoke-like smud...

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“The Pink Flower ” by Carrie Sheldrake

Submitted to Contest #86

“I always know when spring is near, as those pink flowers begin to blossom by the tree.” “They’re beautiful.” I picked one up and let it lay in the palm of my hand. “You idiot! You’re supposed to let them grow. You’ve gone and bloody killed it now.” “Sorry.” I put the flower in the front pocket of my shorts and turned away from April to hide my flushed cheeks. She was such a bossy cow, sometimes. “I can’t wait for summer. Just think, me and you going travelling all by ourselves. Who’d have thought? Not my mum, that’s for sure. She’s still...

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“In Doldrums” by Alex Kamczyc

Submitted to Contest #86

“I swear to god these are Virginia bluebells, Carter,” Fiona said to her friend as she wiped cigarette smoke from her tear ducts. Taking another drag, she kicked one of the drooping blue flowers gently so it flopped the other way. The first signs of spring in Ohio were always the prettiest. Fiona winced as the morning sun hit her directly in the face. In hindsight, she probably should have dressed better for the occasion. Dressed in worn light blue jeans, black Chuck Taylors, and a black button-down shirt, she faced at least a three-mile h...

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“Small Wonders” by Nat R

Submitted to Contest #86

“Is it spring, Aunt Jay?” asks a curious voice at my feet. Only the soft curls at the back of her head, swept gently around the collar of her winter coat are visible to me. She is crouched down, face close to the ground, peering at the purple-tinged daisies poking their heads above the grass. I shiver as the wind slithers its way under my jacket and touches icy fingers to my side. I feel the light of the clear day on my face and close my eyes, noting that I can in fact feel some warmth there. &nb...

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“The Hues of Spring ” by Alipi Das

Submitted to Contest #86

“Look! The sprouts have emerged in the garden.” A gleeful Mrs. Woods pointed it out to a subdued Mr. Woods. Consecutive days of rain and darkness filled the lives of the Woods’ couple with gloom. The faint streaks of sunlight streamed through the panes after the dismal days. She pulled the draperies and let the sun pour in its full strength inside their bedroom. Mrs. Woods, enlivened by the sunshine, quickly descended outside the door and sauntered in the garden, delightfully admiring the budding shoots and the fresh new greens p...

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“Planting Season” by Drew Winston

Submitted to Contest #86

Content warning: domestic abuse “Don’t forget to change the clocks on Saturday night,” Betsy said. “I’m so ready for spring.” Betsy and Sue stood outside the grocery store parking lot. "You know what that means," Sue said. "Planting season is right around the corner. Soon that’s all our husbands will be talking about." Betsy nodded and smiled. “It also means it's time to start thinking about summer plans," she said. "I thought about it long and hard but decided Katy is still young for overnight camp. Paul loves camp Hala...

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$50

Prize money

795

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Mar 26, 2021 EST

Won by Scott Skinner 🏆

Title: Flowering Walrus

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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