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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

“Learn” by John Michael Pino

Submitted to Contest #88

The young Prince Kai went back to his room with a long face. He just came back from a dreadful tutor class. The pouting prince took his stuffed toy jester to his bed and starts talking to it. “Why do I need to study things which my brothers are good at, Archduke Stan?” He stared at the rugged toy as if it would speak to the dainty prince with a deep voice. The jester looked like he is a wise and noble Ottoman Turk with a headdress larger than his head. “Sar, the Crown Prince is proficient in studying economics. He already goes with Fat...

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“The Unseen Chains” by Oscar To

Submitted to Contest #88

The day always started that way. The 6 a.m coffee, the 8 hour workday, the microwave dinner, and the squeaky mattress. Everyday, it takes a heavier toll. Everyday is like another ounce, to the rock binding him down. But he kept going on. What else was he to do? The mattress strained under his weight. It felt like sleeping on a rock, but it was better than the floor. His apartment was simple. It included a sofa, a kitchen, complete with a microwave, worn from the use. It’s hinges looked to be a second away from giving up, and yet it kept work...

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“Fate” by Dashiii Vargas

Submitted to Contest #88

"But mom, I don't want to be the next Queen." I complained as my mother was finishing stitching up my dress. My name is Desiria Morningfold and I am the next Queen in line to rule over the kingdom of Questo, my mom being the Queen and all. "You cannot not be the next Queen, Desi, you're the daughter of the Queen, you're MY daughter, it's tradition." "But mom, being Queen is boring! You sit around all day, giving speeches, telling people what to do, you're practically glued to the chair." "That's not what you said when you were 6 years old. Y...

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“ PEOPLE VERSUS THE KING” by Sivaram Govindaraj

Submitted to Contest #88

The kingdom of Anaka is on earth’s twin planet GAIA2 which is still evolving about 800 years behind. A committee of the Governing Council was in session with the King and his Prime Minister (PM) present. Jellon the prosecutor was making a case against wrong doings. Jellon addressed HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS (HRH) and PM and said “People of Anaka have our king as protector. He has largely ruled wisely and well. Still there are some cases where citizens are unhappy. I will bring before this Council those cases. I will start with the constr...

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“The Prince and the Scullery Maid” by Joy D. Fanning

Submitted to Contest #88

Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there was a kind King. The King was wise and good, and all of his subjects loved him. The King, however, was unhappy, because his son, the Prince, was a rotten boy who complained all day long and remained ungrateful for all he had. “My son must be taught a lesson if he is to become king after me,” the King said to the Fairy Godmother. “What would you wish for me to do, my king?” She asked. “Please dear Fairy Godmother, with all your wisdom and grace, please help my son. Teach him a lesson s...

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“Prometheus's Gift” by C.E. Tidswell

Submitted to Contest #88

Sometimes, when the sun was highest and the birds were at their hungriest, Prometheus half regretted stealing fire for the sake of humanity. Sure, the mortals had made good use of it. They’d told the greatest stories by the fire’s light and created the finest foods with its heat. In fact, the more time that passed, the more the humans became Gods onto themselves, all aided by his gift. But for every amazing creation, they made fifteen terrible ones. First, they burnt people, then they burnt villages. Then humanity discovered gun powdered and...

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“Marry in haste...” by Sharon Williams

Submitted to Contest #88

I have to get back to my own country. Home, where the sun shines and warms my skin, the waters sparkle, and the colours are vivid. Away from this grey, drab place, where cruelty abounds and there is no sense of beauty. My husband says that, I can go, but our sons must stay. My beautiful twin boys, born only three weeks ago. Leave them alone here, to be raised by some course wet nurse – never! I have a plan to escape and take my babies with me. It needs to be done soon, whilst the boys remain small enough to be easily hidden and carried, and...

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“Escape” by Amber Willis

Submitted to Contest #88

Oh he was charming alright, and a prince. He had the most gorgeous dark wavy hair and the brightest smile. But that’s about it. He was as dense as a rock, no a boulder, and as shallow as a dried puddle. He had swooped down in a rage of passion and lust and married Cinderella after falling in love with her utter beauty and gorgeous complexion. Cinderella was thrilled and happy as a lark when he married her. She thanked he fairy godmother and her lucky stars for her good fortune. A prince! She was so happy t...

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“Clocks” by Val-Rae Christensen

Submitted to Contest #88

In a land of large castles and larger than life kings, there once was a small castle ruled by a perfectly average King and his wife, a fair and beautiful Queen whose greatest desire in all the world was to have a child to call her own. But though they longed and yearned, years went by, and no child came. To fill the hollow in her heart, the Queen turned her attention upon those little household items she could maintain and care for, namely, the clocks. The castle was simply filled with them. There were clocks that hung on the walls and clock...

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“Freedom Through Loss” by Taegan Hyland

Submitted to Contest #88

Freedom Through Loss Taegan Hyland In a cluster of realms, there existed a realm which held a kingdom named Ferreira. Ferreira was a famed kingdom of amassed riches and luxurious livings, and was governed by the benevolent King Dusk and the captivating Queen Ruby, along with their son, Prince Damon. Ferreira was viewed through the eyes of the realms as an enthralling kingdom and multitudes yearned to be a part, however, it imprisoned a tragic secret lurking in the shadows of the alleyways and sewers. While King Dusk an...

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“Giving It Up For Your Love” by Daniel Norton

Submitted to Contest #88

King Charles is by far the richest and most powerful king of the region, ruling the Easst Region with an iron fist. Queen Albina has been by his side since their arranged marriage when they were both only fifteen. Wounded in his last battle with the greedy King Mordor of the South Region, his wounds have failed to heal. No medicine seemed to work. No doctor was able to find out why the King's condition keeps getting worse. One morning after a particularly painful night, the king decides he had better make arrangements for the fu...

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“The Princess and the Rogue” by Siobhan Mulalley

Submitted to Contest #88

Princess Amelia stomped out of the throne room. She had agreed to marry King Roland but the man was an oaf. He was older than her, and he was tyrannical. His people were starving, whilst he sat and gorged on feasts. She had been betrothed to him by her father King Jerrick as a means to peace. Nephemia had been at war with Reven since before she was born and this union was to bring about an end to it. She should have known that things would not go well as even before the wedding Roland was telling her what she could and could not do. She was ...

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“Just Your Hope” by Nadia Cooper

Submitted to Contest #88

"It's just your hope..." She could still hear the husky woman's voice echoing inside her head that night. Still hear the pounding of her heart as she scratched her signature. Still feel the burning as a key piece of her was taken away. Of course hope means something different to everyone. For some people hope might mean the accelerating feeling of winning, for others it can feel like calm excitement, and for some it can simply feel like nothing. Nothing because you've never felt it before. Nothing because you've never had a reason to. ...

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“A Chance” by M D

Submitted to Contest #88

Princess Elain sat next to her mother and father, the king and queen of Angelton, as courtiers loitered about the room. She twirled a strand of her golden hair around her finger in boredom as she maintained her erect posture lest her mother lash out at her with her magic. Her eldest sister's throne sat empty on the other side of the dais while she proceeded to make her way around the room, visiting with people as she went. Amber, the eldest of the two princesses, was the next in line to the throne and must keep up appearances. On the other h...

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“Princess Rieka’s discoveries” by Groenbutterfly 🦋

Submitted to Contest #88

It started with the small details.Things looking the same. Feeling the same.Rieka started to realise that this feeling wasn’t just some deja vu. She had seen this before, but where?People that she’d thought she knew were just strangers in a crowd. People she’d never seen before were close relatives. But that didn’t make sense.Ever since these discoveries, she kept a diary where she documented them. In code, of course. Rieka knew that if someone knew that she was experiencing these weird things, that even she wasn’t really sure what was, they...

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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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