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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#88: Fairy Tale Truths

Did you know that April 2nd marks Hans Christian Andersen’s 216th birthday? Andersen’s work has been adapted and reimagined so many times it's become part of our literary DNA. In fact, it's hard to imagine the world of fairy tales without them. And while some were based on old folklore, many sprang from his own imagination — sometimes even incorporating details of his life and using the genre's fantastical trappings to write parables about his experiences.

This week we invite you to use your stories to explore larger truths. Whether you set them in a magical fairy tale realm or not, stories are a wonderful way to examine important ideas. So sit back, reflect, and prepare to let your imagination run wild through the forest.

This week's prompts

Write a cautionary fable about someone who always lies.

Adults – 116 stories

Write a story about an ordinary person speaking truth to power.

Adults – 68 stories

Write about a prince or princess who is asked to give up something valuable as part of a deal to escape the world they come from.

Fantasy – 190 stories

Write a fairy tale about an outsider trying to fit in.

Kids – 173 stories

Write about an author famous for their fairy tale retellings.

Teens – 73 stories

Stories

“Danny Ducks tall tales ” by Amber Brownlee

Submitted to Contest #88

Danny wanted nothing more then to fit in with his peers, he would always tell tall tales of great adventures and far off lands; fighting large bears and evil witches, only a courageous duckling like himself would attempt such dangerous feats. His grandmother warned him that one day all of his white lies would catch up to him, like most children his age he never listened. In fact his lies became more and more elaborate, his best friend Terry the turtle started questioning the validity of Danny stories. “I don't care if you believe me Terry, b...

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“The Children of the Forest.” by Marsha Webb

Submitted to Contest #88

Deep in the dark forest was a crumbling old cottage. The wind howled in through the cracks in the frames like a pack of hungry Wolves. A tiny fire was the only warmth in the house and this barely gave out enough heat for the small living room, never mind the rest of the house. The rotten window frames and damaged tiles did nothing to help the bleak atmosphere. The life and love had long since left the house; the crumbling exterior looked like a silhouette of a previous existence. “I’m fffreezing” Howard stammered, he was only...

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“RIGHT CHOICES, RIGHT FRIENDSHIPS” by Madhuleka Iyer

Submitted to Contest #88

“Hey Maxie, come on. It’s getting late,” Mrs. Markle said. “Mom, I don’t want to be on time. I don’t want to be there at all.” “Now Maxie, we asked you before signing up for the workshop.” “Yeah, but you didn’t tell me that it was residential. Plus people go to the same residential programme year after year. Nobody will let me into their gang, I will be a bigger joke than ever,” wailed Maxie. “Little pixies can be nice, just give them a chance. Besides all pixies have pointed ears.” “Maybe during your time. All the other pixies are going to ...

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“It Takes One To Know One” by Deborah Mercer

Submitted to Contest #88

The trouble with Davey was that we couldn’t help liking him. We dreaded him coming in to use our public access laptops, and we braced ourselves against his screeches, demanding or plaintive, across the room, when he wanted – or more to the point demanded – our attention. Which often, in practise meant MY attention, and he had a way of doing it that, though I tried not to let it show, grated on me like the proverbial fingers on a glass window pane. My name is Polly, and he had a habit of preceding it with a shriek of EEEHHH, that was more sui...

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“The Merchant's Husband” by You'd Think A Writer Would Have A More Creative Name .

Submitted to Contest #88

1117 words Rated PG; violence, blood, unsettling imagery Prompt: Write a cautionary fable about someone who always lies. Gather ‘round, those old and young. Come closer, and ye will be met with worlds of mystery. Sit at the stream, drink the sweet nectar within, and be reborn as is the phoenix from the ashes of the fire of the night. Stay at my shoes, and ye will be compelled to go forward with nothing but the stick of virtues and the sly hand. Our story begins when the moon shone above the world, moving downwards, perhaps contempl...

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“Kalerella a real Cinderella Story” by Cynthia Fabian

Submitted to Contest #88

And there it was, a feeling as if there was no identity. No gender, no real weight, no form, but feelings. I want to go tonight, mom, it could mean a chance to be discovered. OK, I am tired of hearing about this ball, really. Come here I will get you ready. Kal's mom picks up a gentle cloth, soap, and water and hands it to Kal. It's just you see the world so differently, I am afraid your feelings will be hurt by others. Mom, these scarves look absolutely beautiful and these glass slippers, um a little redundant don't you think. Don...

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“Choices” by </3 ..

Submitted to Contest #88

I looked up at them. The Ivy league of this school, goblins vs. ghouls, I ran my hand through my silvery dark mane. It was usually a mess but today I had enough time to tame it, I walked into school head low because I didn't want to attract any unwanted attention. As obvious as it is, I'm not close to the ¨ popular ¨ title. To be honest I'm pretty sure I have more qualities of the ``¨ Nerd" Title. I always manage too, even when it's not on purpose. I've lived here my whole life, well as long as I can remember. I an...

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“Though It Breaks Our Hearts, We Grow Strong” by Iona Cottle

Submitted to Contest #88

“Are you sure about this, your highness?” Princess Rosalyn kept staring out the window, chewing her lip as she thought the plan over. “No,” she said at last with a sigh. “But I can’t see that there’s any alternative. We have to do it. Don’t we?” “I’m sorry, your Highness, but for this the final decision has to be yours.” “No, of course not. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be putting you in this position.” “I live to serve, your Highness. And it is a privilege to do so.” Despite the knot of anxiety in her chest Princess Rosalyn smiled at tha...

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“First Impressions” by Inkstained Introvert

Submitted to Contest #88

“No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!” “What the—?” Breyer shot up from the chair at his desk, intending to retreat and get a better view of the situation but instead falling backwards, hitting one of the chair legs with his knee. He scrambled up again and plastered himself against the wall. “What are you doing—who—” “Zip it,” the person who had, it seemed, just magically appeared in his room, hissed. “I need to—oh, shit. Shit shit shit. Okay. Um—” The person dropped a smoking, round metal object with gears and levers ...

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“Changing Tides” by LM Konkel-Dixon

Submitted to Contest #88

*Featuring characters from "A Spirit Set on Revenge" and "Escaping the Fool Virus" Kalena sips at her sweet drink. The mix of fruit and rum tingled on her tongue. "You know I could get used to this." Being on this island with Je had softened her a bit. She was still entirely dedicated to her vengeance, but it was nice to put on a bikini, stretch out a chair, and watch the waves with Je lounging next to her. "I'm so pleased you agreed to come away with me," Je says as he leans over to toast her. She clicks her glass against his. "I ca...

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“Bird Man” by Joe Swanson

Submitted to Contest #88

When I first became aware of a man they called, “The Bird Man,” I decided it would make an interesting, “Person of the Street,” story. I became aware of this “Bird Man,” from a local tavern owner, who told me about the encounter he had had with the man. I knew I had to meet him. Apparently, he spends his days telling stories to the ravens in the park. He claimed people had witnessed as many as two hundred gathered dutifully about the benched man, listening intently to his tales. I don’t actually work for the local newspaper.&...

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“The Story Retold!” by Pooja Dubey

Submitted to Contest #88

He who sees the world from the eyes like hawk except that these eyes have more power than one could imagine. She loved the story of Snow White, like any other girl, except that she did not know that one day, she would be living one like that. It was a mid-summer afternoon and she was sitting on her porch with a storybook in her hands. The words in Garamond said, “Snow White: The Story Retold” and below it was scribbled, “Because some secrets are better not revealed”. Andrew Reynolds, the author was famous for his eerie depictions of fa...

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“The White dot” by Charlotte Bedford

Submitted to Contest #88

The fresh autumn morning breeze swept across the flickering blades of grass and bent their spines to follow the rhythm of the natural air. The wind whispered in the hollows of the great trees of the forest as she rushed by, secrets of long forgotten times. She twirled in the empty air and grasped leaves in her fine grip and tossed them across the woodland floor. Acorns fell from the old oak as her shoulder brushed up against them, the nut tumbled down and rolled in concentric circles until halting as it ran out of energy, it lay there to res...

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“Truth Magic Works in Mysterious Ways” by LM Konkel-Dixon

Submitted to Contest #88

*Featuring characters from "Let's Face the Future" The longer Lhan walks, the more he realizes the danger he's in. His supplies wouldn't last long, and frankly, he wasn't sure how to tell what was safe up here and what would kill him gruesomely. He felt panic clawing its way up his throat, threatening to choke him. What was he going to do? He couldn't make it on his own! He stumbles over a mossy stone and catches himself on a slender tree that bends with his weight. "Sorry!" He exclaims, shuffling back as soon as he's steady. He chec...

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“I Am Power” by S.N. Beale

Submitted to Contest #88

I am ordinary. I am you. There are times I want to curl up in a tiny ball and scream until my lungs give out…sometimes I do. When I know, I am not being heard, when I have exhausted every subtle tone and discreet, friendly, passive manner of saying, “You are hurting me. This is unfair. I need help or at least rest. Please give me space because you are smothering me. STOP IT! LEAVE ME ALONE! STOP TOUCHING ME!” Until horror washes through me, and I realize you are perfectly aware that I cannot breathe. You can hear me. You have processed e...

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$50

Prize money

622

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Apr 09, 2021 EST

Won by Shannon Ethel 🏆

Title: No More Happy Endings

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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