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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#87: Fool Me Once

From trickster gods to office pranks, humans have long been fascinated by mischief and mayhem. There’s just something about breaking free of the rules of polite society and causing a bit of chaos that appeals deeply to our psyche.

This week, let’s embrace that playful spirit. Whether it’s someone being pranked or doing the pranking, there’s plenty of opportunity to dive deep into your characters’ motives and reactions. No joke — it’s time to break out the (metaphorical) cream pies and throw some anarchy at your protagonists.

This week's prompts

Write about a mischievous pixie or trickster god.

Kids – 206 stories

Write about someone who’s spent a whole year planning a big prank, and now they’re finally ready to pull it off.

Middle School – 75 stories

Write about someone who hates pranks and spends April Fools’ Day doing good deeds instead.

Holiday – 69 stories

Start your story with a big company pulling an April Fools’ prank that ends up going horribly wrong.

Holiday – 82 stories

Write about someone who goes to great lengths to avoid being pranked on April 1st, only to realize they had the date wrong and it’s already April 2nd.

Holiday – 60 stories

Stories

“The pixie and the Log” by Aseret Franco

Submitted to Contest #87

"Be careful." Sam led us down a moldy road after walking for over an hour. But the road was not the worst it had taken us, but in front of us, cutting the road, I found a cliff that hid a river at the bottom. The only cross, an old log. "Will we have to go that way?" - Sky asked seeing the unique connection to the other side of the cliff. An old log, wet, and almost breaking. "Come on, nothing will happen." Sam was the first to go up. Leo followed her and then Selene. I hoped Sky would continue to run away. But it didn't happen. "I will prot...

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“The Monkeys Lilly” by Janelle Curry

Submitted to Contest #87

The chandelier’s reflecting light danced on the velvet curtains in the ballroom. “Quite agreeable evening isn't it Lily. Lily?” “Oh-oh yes of course.” Lily was in fact quite distracted. A ruffle in the velvet curtains by one of the large, ornate windows had caught her eye. “Horace, did you see something move in the velvet curtains over there?” She pointed her slender fair arm across to the window. “No, but you know this fondue is quite exquisite! I say Lily, try some-” Horace was quite large, buttons almost bursting at the seams of his...

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“Your Wish is my Want” by RIC .

Submitted to Contest #87

Alios loved to mess with the mortals who worshiped him. He loved breaking into their homes at night and turning their shoes into puppies and belts into snakes. He loved sending thieves into villages who forgot to leave offerings to him. He loved throwing parties for his fellow omnipotent beings. He loved what he did. But Alios was not all tricks, thieving, and parties. Believe it or not, he was a devoted lover. Or, he was the former king of the pixies who lef...

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“Mawu ” by MTFC MTFC

Submitted to Contest #87

The small hut is loud with screams and crying. The mother, Veroti, is in extreme pain. She is giving birth to a newborn. The hut is of cobblestone and straw. It held over three generations of family – it was not to hold any more. “Mawu, god of moon, we call on you to help my daughter, let her child be healthy!” “Mawu is not a god to be acquaintances with, Ari!” Veroti screams in pain.” The sheets are soiled and damp with blood and other bodily fluids. The moon shines bright upon the little hut. The air is calm and the entirety of the vi...

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“All because of a prank” by Nirosha P

Submitted to Contest #87

Author's note: Like you can see, this story is told through two people, Cora and Layla. They take turns and narrate the story. Enjoy! :)Cora’s POVThe last meal I had was… five days ago? I can’t remember. The days just pass by along in a haze. It’s been a week since I went to work. At least I think it was. All I ever do now is drink and sleep. I’m headed back to my house now. The cold empty mansion seems uninviting as I pull up into the driveway. Drunkenly, I stumbled into the doors and crashed onto the nearest sofa clutching the big bot...

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“The Emperor's New Training Wheels” by Adam Schwartz

Submitted to Contest #87

Birmingham Bikes, the most trusted bicycle for children ages 3-9 years old, is ready to revolutionize the process of learning how to ride. Our cutting-edge Invisible Training Wheels (patent pending) are ready for prime time after years of research and safety testing. All the safety features of standard training wheels but made of space-age transparent plexiglass composite. No need to be ashamed if you’re not quite comfortable on two wheels yet. Fake it ‘til you make it with Birmingham Bikes! #InvisibleTrainingWheels #BBikes Sticks and Ston...

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“April Fools Death ” by Chris Buono

Submitted to Contest #87

Everything was set. Holograms ready to blaze lasers when triggered, actors place strategically in the crowd to aid in the terror, charges were set to create little explosions, and remote-controlled discs that looked like flying saucers. The Wheezing and Winks Novelties company always had a marvelous April Fools Day extravaganza. Always to promote a new product. This year would top every prior event. War of the Worlds- inspir...

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“Oh, what fun” by Tosha Alston

Submitted to Contest #87

Before I could even open my eyes, my thoughts were already on April Fool’s day. I had a full year to plan out my pranks on everybody that got me last year. I was determined not to be one of them that got pranked. My friends get me every year and I be darned if they get me again. My partner does not like April fool’s day, I respect her on that, but if she did man she would have to watch out. I start imagining the day, I would get to work at least an hour before anyone would get there. I will start with Marge, she does not like snakes. I will...

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“Gone Wrong.” by 𝓔𝓜𝓜𝓐 𝓐. 🎀

Submitted to Contest #87

"Hey Dan?" Nicolas calls out for his coworker, "Mmm?" comes his reply. "Are you sure this prank is going to fool our coworkers?" Silence. "Dan!?" Nicolas calls out louder. Silence. Nick goes around the warehouse looking for his coworker, but finds nothing. He hears a loud banging coming from behind him in the office area. He thinks for a few seconds before deciding to go investigate all the ruckus. As he enters the office quarters of the dusty warehouse he sees a strange set of footprints leading to his coworkers desk.&nbsp...

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“The Silk Shirt” by Aburrow Marsh

Submitted to Contest #87

“This is going to be huge.”That’s how the Big Star sold the Big Joke to his buddies. They were aware of his penchant for hyperbole; only a fool would take his remarks at face value. Yet the more he talked, the more they believed him. If everything lined up and they pulled this thing off, it would be the best prank of the year.No doubt the producer was asking for it. They all hated that fucking gold shirt. They knew where he’d bought it, that odious men’s store on Rodeo Drive. They also knew it wasn’t a gift from his wife, as he so loudly pro...

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“The Interview” by Denlara Watts

Submitted to Contest #87

A shadow lengthens across the bard’s table, causing him to look up from his writings. A large, muscular, bearded man stands across the table from the bard. The large man places his hands on the edge of the table and slowly leans down, his face nearing the bard’s. “I’m assuming,” the large man starts, his voice a low, deep rumble, “that you are the bard, Alastander?” The bard sits up, setting the quill in his hand on the table next to the stack of parchment before him. “That would be me, yes,” Alastander answers. “If you have some bu...

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“A Burning Desire” by Rhonda Valentine Dixon

Submitted to Contest #87

Stewart Robb’s Tyres, an extensive business on Ponsonby Road, near Auckland city, had been going downhill since the COVID-19 pandemic. Stewie, a pompous git with a high opinion of himself, was considering what to do about it on a brief visit with his Aunty Margaret in Mokau when a series of earthquakes struck.“Bloody hell, Aunty, it’s a bit wobbly down your way,” he said.“Just as long as we don’t have one as big as Christchurch,” Aunty Marg replied.It’s widely known that the most isolated country on the planet, that cluster of islands at 41˚...

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“Fool to Fool” by Shiza Ali

Submitted to Contest #87

Chaos is a friend of mine.A man smashes his fist on the desk in front of me knocking the pens down onto the floor, "I need to see the manager NOW!"A woman yanks the computer screen off the front desk smashing it underneath her feet. Screaming child tugs onto a man, "Mom fainted!""Ron!", howling I scan for the red-golden uniform. There he is landing his muscular arm right in the face of some guy trying to manhandle him. Footsteps are scampering down the staircase others are marching out of the elevator. Some are mad, some are s...

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“Nobody's Fool” by Rani Jayakumar

Submitted to Contest #87

I woke up already hyper-aware. Last night, I’d stuck a quarter to the floor with clear tape, and inwardly chuckled to myself that Zoe would find it and spend forever trying to scrape it off the hardwood. I left it just at that, waiting to see what opportunities might crop up during the day. She was always good for a laugh, and handled it with good humor. Raj, however, was the opposite. He and I have been facing off on April Fools’ Day for a decade. I’d neatly trim all his roses off, but reattach them so that they looked just fine until the...

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“Dark Sprite” by Ryan Dupont

Submitted to Contest #87

The young girl stood in the center of a dirt path before a thick, black, tangle of forest. The wind rustled the trees, making the gnarled and wicked branches appear as if they were alive. Wooden signs on both sides of the seldom traveled road bore words of warning in dark red paint, as if written in blood. Turn Back, Haunted Woods, Beware, and Enter At Your Own Peril, where among the many phrases used to persuade travelers to choose another path. The girl was not afraid. Her purpose was certain. Glancing back one last time at her encampme...

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$50

Prize money

492

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Apr 02, 2021 EST

Won by Catherine Hill 🏆

Title: Samill the Trickster

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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