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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

“Starless Liar” by Amber Zhao

Submitted to Contest #88

The postman sifted restlessly, disgustedly through the growing mound of heartfelt envelopes: all the diverse colours of the rainbow, with crinkling paper enclosed inside-imperfect but loving. Crisp, as icy white as untrodden snow. Splashed with love heart, star and smiley face stickers. And all destinied, postmarked, for one location, faraway, starless and bustling cities away...but sent and, most imperatively, received at all? And was this postman, this post office, this scene, as a bereft mother who trekked home every week to her distraugh...

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“Was A Princess ” by Kirrtanaa Thanesh

Submitted to Contest #88

In the kingdom of Orwynde, up at the castle, King Edward sat on his throne, counting out the money that needed to be paid to the guards. Queen Mary was with the royal dressmaker. They were discussing a new suit for Prince Andrew who was out on his horse. Meanwhile, Princess Isabel was having an archery lesson with the skilled archer, Henry Alby.“That needs work,” said Henry.“What do you mean?” protested Isabel. “That was bull’s eye!”“Not quite, but don’t worry. Nobody is perfect in the world,”“Yeah?” said Isabel.“Well, this week’s lesson is ...

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“Her Beauty” by Lily Rama

Submitted to Contest #88

The creatures of the island stared, their eyes sharp with judgement, as the newcomer trudged through the land, her head hung low. Her fur was a worn out brown. Ugly! They thought, smiling devilishly, trying to contain their snickers of laughter. Horns twisted out of her head, unlike the island creatures' perfectly straight ones. Her tail was short and more of a stub rather than majestic and long like the island creatures.The newcomer stared down, focused on a red leaf laying in the grass. How she wished to be equal to the other creatures! Wh...

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“Companionship” by Joshua Trockel

Submitted to Contest #88

Author’s note:This story takes place in a world where humans are not social creatures. It’s a world parallel to our own but where no one has a last name. There are no family connections, only duties, and needs to be met. Parents are not proud of their children’s accomplishments, nor embarrassed by their failures. People live together, yet only interact when need arises. CompanionshipWhite chalk skids against the black board as Teacher Anne multiplies seven and fourteen. Twenty-six students, dressed in gray, take notes on plastic desks.“...

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“What Happened Once Upon A Time Ago ” by J. Olen

Submitted to Contest #88

Once upon a time....“Your Majesty, the peasants have come again!” The royal guard alerted. “What is it now,” asked Princess Audra of Kalpania, bored of this daily commotion. Yesterday was the raise in taxes. The day before was the drought and the week before that was the shortage of food. Never had any kingdom seen such ungrateful subjects.“This time they’re complaining about each other!”“I see...bring them over and we’ll see what we can do about it.”The guards went and returned with an old man. His clothes were disheveled and his eyes ...

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“Serendipity” by Sharon Goodhand

Submitted to Contest #88

Serendipity The recent heavy rains had slowed Pearl down; as much as she loved the rain and how it graced leaves and flowers in tiny liquid water jewels, it had made the narrow dirt tracks running through the borough of Shadewell difficult to navigate. Her wagon wheels ground to a halt in many places, choked up with mud and rocks. At one point all that could be done was to sit there in the middle of the muddied track, pouring rain and wait it out until at least the deluge eased enough so she could see what exactly was stopping the wheel...

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“The Warning Siren” by Boba Chan

Submitted to Contest #88

The sun's rays came streaming through the window. I was curled up in my warm blanket, half conscious. The fibers were warm, and i almost drifted into slumber when a loud siren from outside woke me. I drowsily opened my eyes, and covered my ears with my cold hands. I listened to the sound of the siren through my hands. 'Beep beep beep...BEEP!' That sound...I can't remember what it means. I have never heard that warning siren before. Each siren means something new. Hold on.. If i don't know the siren that means it's most likely an emergency! I...

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“REVENGE BEST SERVED. . . ” by Neel Anil Panicker

Submitted to Contest #88

Jagannath meaning Lord of the Universe. Crown Prince Jagannath! Ah, the ironies of life! What a joke! What a cruel joke was destiny playing out, mused the young man, his words a scream that ricocheted off the palates of his mouth, then died_agony filled gasps releasing into the outer world ala a newborn's labored arrival. The outer world for the 'Crown Prince' was a six by six square foot hell hole; a pitch dark all stone dungeon located fifty feet under the ground, a hellish pit sans light, sans sound, sans contact with the oute...

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“The Author” by C Knotts

Submitted to Contest #88

Author sat at his deck, rubbing his forehead. It seemed he’d been rubbing it for days, waiting for inspiration to come. Maybe, just maybe, he exhausted all the fairy tales available. Maybe there wasn’t anything more to write about. “You could have written a nicer story about me,” Little Red Riding Hood said from behind his left shoulder. “I could have gone to the mall or something, like really. Going to Grandma’s House with a wolf dressed as Grandma...

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“What would you do if a witch asked for your name?” by Jane Syphert

Submitted to Contest #88

Christina knocked on the door in front of her a little harder, knuckles stinging. The witch finally opened the door. The graying skin sagged off her face, and sent a slight shudder down Christina's spine. The witch was well known throughout the land as one of the best witches for people who wanted to get out. Christina held up a small, amulet carved with a careful touch, in front of her. "Is it true that you sent her away?" The witch gave her a wide smile that seemed unnatural. Her gnarled hand reached out and grasped the amulet, pulling i...

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“Kangaroo Court” by Robert Consiglio

Submitted to Contest #88

People’s War Crimes Court, New Altron City, Jecos province, Artican Protectorate of Paradeshia, planet Piasha The blaster clatters to the ground and the many spectators packed in the courtroom's gallery let out a collective gasp. “This weapon,” says the prosecutor,” was found in the possession of this deviant.” He points his finger at the defendant, sitting, huddled in the defendant’s box, being restrained by a force field. A hissing sound can be heard emanating from t...

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“AN APPLE OF DISCORD” by Raja Mukherjee

Submitted to Contest #88

AN APPLE OF DISCORD (Criminals must leave some clues to find them.) [Some words:- My relative Sanku uncle's close friend was Alok babu. Alok chand (35 Years) is a very simple man. He did many odd jobs in his life but to find the truth is his passion. He became a Goverment Employee once but resigned from his job because he doesn't like to tamper the truth behind the lies. He wants to work freely .He is the main character in this detective story. He leads the role of the detective having so much efficiency in this work. All of his...

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“Supernova” by The Creech

Submitted to Contest #88

Some men have an undeniably powerful presence. When they walk into a room, the air changes. All wandering eyes latch onto his inflated chest and raised chin, all ears perk up at the sound of his commanding tongue, and all minds cannot help but wonder about him. Men of power, money and self-importance dominate everything in their path. But sometimes a man possesses this presence separate from petty traits—a presence that is innately rooted in his being. It originates from wisdom, strength of character, charisma and accumulation of curiosities...

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“Sorry...” by Sumaiya Shaikh

Submitted to Contest #88

SORRY… I always loved reading fairy tales, sci-fic, mystery. But, here, in my village, ‘Senu’, girls are not allowed to read, write, study, do business. What girls here are allowed to do so is, entertain men (not just any men, but your husband.) to do house chores, handle kids, and teach them the manner to behave in public. And, we are allowed to wear only gowns, if we like it or not, we have to wear it, our opinions don’t matter. You must think, how come I know to write, and read…so pause there, tell your mind cells to relax, I am giving y...

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“The Heart of A Tiny Kitten” by Ramon Martensen

Submitted to Contest #88

Once upon there was a huge, huge cat with huge huge claws. Can you picture him? Scary looking isn’t he? At least that’s what the people around him thought of him. His purring sounded to them like an earthquake and his miaows like a roar that could make their organs shake in their bodies. No wonder people stayed as far away from this huge monster-like-looking creature as possible. Some big cats would be happy to be left alone, but not him. This big, big cat was still a tiny little kitten inside with tiny little kitten needs. He wanted nothi...

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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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