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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

“Princess Adelaide's sacrifice” by Urvasi Pauvaday

Submitted to Contest #88

The night was growing colder and colder by the second. Princess Adelaide tightened the grip on her cloak to stop the cold night air from penetrating the bubble of warm air her body had generated inside her midnight blue velvet cloak to keep her warm. The full moon watched over her as she hurried to the Lake of Merriah where she was to meet The Messenger. It was dark, and the faint light emanating from her lantern was not helping much, but at every turn, she was glad to have the feeble wisp of light illuminate the path ahead by a mere foot.&n...

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“L’art du Spectacle” by Blair Law

Submitted to Contest #88

L’art du SpectacleBy Blair Law In the kingdom of Jouteta, there once was a lovely prince. His skin was sculpted from mahogany and his hair was made of the finest strands of silk. His serious eyes glinted like precious stones set in his tiny face. But behind his face, his heart was rotten. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Now pay attention, dearest reader, for I will tell you his story. The boy was seven at the time that he discovered his love of puppets. Oh, the palace would have the most magnificent puppet shows just to entertain the ...

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“Judith” by Sam Newsome

Submitted to Contest #88

JudithSpring had been a whirlwind season for Judith. Senior year in her exclusive prep school had been filled with college prep and selection details. Debutant season had, as expected, largely featured the ever-popular Judith. Her horse, Blaze, had required even more care as the show season was approaching and she enjoyed her training sessions with her magnificent honey-colored stallion more than other aspects of her life. But now, on Sunday afternoon, the day was perfect for reading. Sh...

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“Dandelion Whiskers” by Dalia Navarez

Submitted to Contest #88

Blazes of fiery orange fur were swept into an open sewer by a straw broomstick in the hands of our nurse, Lidia. The cat from which those ginger tufts came from laid sleepily on the floor besides the grim skull fragments and small boning knife, a woolen blanket pulled gently over its soft head. I will miss him, whatever his name was.Nurse Lidia’s slender, zig-zag tail unjumbled upright at a noise coming from underneath our feet. One of the stone trapdoors springed open with a harsh bang, revealing Father and his servants carrying food, lefto...

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“Where the Faeries Play” by Sage Gregory

Submitted to Contest #88

I am not my mother's daughter. Grandmother told me stories of her smile. How it could draw the stars from their hiding places. How it gave branches voice and the leaves color. I never told Grandmother I remembered it. I was too afraid the stories would stop. The stories were secret and my father did not like to hear them. “He does not like the reminder,” my grandmother would breathe between her loose strands of dancing grey. I knew she didn’t understand though, that he liked nothing more than remembering that smile. What he did not li...

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“Candlelight” by Arleen Mariotti

Submitted to Contest #88

Candlelight by A. Mariotti Once upon a time, Lucas, a traveler, and his dog, Max, decided to wander off the well-defined trail in the Enchanted Forest. After walking for many minutes through high grass and thicket, they came upon a clearing, where Lucas spied a beautiful maiden picking flowers. “Hello,” he said as he took off his cap. Max laid down in rest. She looked up. “You are a stranger here.” “Indeed. What gave me away?” he said and thought she had the loveliest eyes he had ever seen. “Your clothes. We do not wear such bright c...

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“Walking in the woods” by Anna Weber

Submitted to Contest #88

The apple is crisp and sweet. The seller all worn and warts. The snap of each bite a promise and a wish. But my lids stay light, and the sun sinks slow, and my story is still unstarted. Awake, awake, awake. Every day, awake. The days in Story all run the same. Never met the wolf. Never met the witch. Never danced at the prince’s ball. The dreaded invitation comes crisp quarterly. I am always cordially invited. I never bother to attend. Built my house of straw and yet it stands still. Unblown. Uncrumpled. No huffs or...

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“The New Kid on the Block” by Kay DiVerde

Submitted to Contest #88

Once upon a time, a new boy entered the doors of Room 302B at Ottaman Elementary West. He had red curly hair, had braces, and wore glasses. He just did not fit in. Tommy Green’s family had recently moved to Ottaman. Tommy’s dad had a new job as a business manager at the town’s local manufacturing plant. The new job was a great opportunity for Tommy’s dad. The Green family had moved often, but this was the first time Tommy had to move in the middle of the school year. Switching schools is always hard on kids, especially in the middle of t...

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“Royal Coil” by Jeremy Lowe

Submitted to Contest #88

Once Upon A Time, I gazed upon a boundless sky, full of endless possibilities. It’s colorful and vast in contrast to what I observe around me, a barren, impoverished landscape, all thanks to that horrid war… This is the land I am to rule one day, and it is a day I have been preparing for the past two years of my life. But I am not fit to rule this kingdom, it’s not my desire to lead these people. I am meant to be a scholar! I am meant to uncover the lost history of this land, but it seems fate will be pulling me in the other direction. Toda...

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“Let the Mischief Begin” by Elizabeth Maxson

Submitted to Contest #88

“You can’t live without me!” My shout was not only ignored; it was absently regarded by all of the other seven. I was always left out. I was never understood or even acknowledged, even though I managed to cook and clean for those seven for eight years. Then that white snow chick showed up and now I am staring at the wood grain on a door. I backed away from the door and felt the heat within my chest begin to fade. They wanted her. She could do my job. I would walk away, and I did. I would also find my way in the world to ...

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“Destroyer of Planets” by HBR Patel

Submitted to Contest #88

"You are not supposed to play here,' Monty shouted at the top of the voice to scare off Tim. 'Yes, you red skin trash. You are not allowed to spoil this place with your dirty presence,' said one of the bully friends of Monty. 'I was just swinging, and I didn't do anything wrong.' argued Tim. 'Don't you dare talk to us? You are a creature of the swamp, and you belong there.' 'I am not from the swamp. I am from another planet destroyed by the Mega Dwarf. Our family is a refugee over here,' said Tim Monty could not fathom the r...

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“Morana” by Gayumi Athapaththu

Submitted to Contest #88

She dragged a stone and sat on it trying to peer through the slit. Oh, the stone was not tall enough. She wasn't able to see outside clearly when she sat on it. She looked around and ran to pick up a dry leaf that had fallen into the log. She laid the leaf on the log floor and folded it several times and pressed it down with both her tiny arms to lessen the bumpiness. She kept the bundle of folded-dry-leaf on top of the stone. The leaf crackled as she adjusted herself on top of it. Now the seat had the right height, and she could keep watchi...

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“Why Am I Like This?” by Peyton Casey

Submitted to Contest #88

Why am I like this? I used too have so many friends but over the summer to 5th grade to 6th everything changed other girls are getting boyfriends and their period and wearing tube tops and makeup and taking pictures for instagram with their iphone 12. I didn't like boys at all, I have never had my period but had a 1,000 pimples on my face, I wore big baggy sweatshirts and my hair was cut to wear I looked like a boy, when I did makeup it consisted of foundation that isn't the same color as my face and blue eyeshadow and bright pink lipstick a...

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“DUAKI” by Jyoti Murmu

Submitted to Contest #88

‘When you are different from others you always try to get the approval of society to fit yourself in. Nothing is more painful than get the denial of your acquaintance - when you are trying to fit among the people you know’. This is the story of a unicorn named, Duaki who was born different from others, he has two horns. He lived in the kingdom of Cornida, with his mother and father. For his parents he was the most beautiful. Like every parents they loved him, adored him, they didn't considered him different. How...

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“Things Change” by RheaTheGreat Kannan

Submitted to Contest #88

Never did Nova presume that her loving owners would kick her out of her own home.She remembered being forced onto a truck, sealed up in a tiny cage, and her owners, Mike and Layla along with little Evelyn waving goodbye, tears in their eyes.Surely they're coming back, Nova had thought as she set off on the bumpy ride. I'm going to think of this as an adventure. As the door of the jeep slammed shut, she finally had time to register what was going on around her, as well as her companions. Well, not exactly companions, more like unfriendly acqu...

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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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