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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

“Reginald's Bane” by Ernst Muller

Submitted to Contest #88

“Give up... what!?” Prince Reginald turns red, then white, then greenish grey. “You’re serious!?” Seated in Marlin’s den, towering high above the land and palace, Reginald takes time to simmer down. He looks dejected. “What Sacrifice it’ll be!” he says, eventually. “Indeed! Think carefully. Things have a way to turn around and bite... I’m only a wizard, not clairvoyant; I can’t predict the ending of this tale.” Their fateful chat has started, that morning earlier. “What are you willing to give up for some degree of freedom?” asks...

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“Beyond the Gate” by Phoebe Davenport

Submitted to Contest #88

The prince is nice, Alice is sure. Too bad she doesn't care. The doors of the grand hall swing open to reveal the prince in question. He strides in with all the pride and arrogance allowed to someone of his station--never mind that he is a third-born son of a less wealthy kingdom than Alice's own. "He looks like he was beaten by the ugly stick," her maid, Florence, whispers in horror. Alice hides her smile behind a cough. It takes everything within her not to laugh. Her mother gives her a look from beside her. Behave. Florence is n...

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“A Prince's Love” by Lyra Dhani

Submitted to Contest #88

The television stopped working this morning. Robert was more surprised that it could last this long. The electricity was still running but if things kept up like this, the building would be demolished by the end of the week. With nothing else to do, Robert grabbed a pack of cigarette and went upstair. When he arrived to the rooftop, Ellysia was leaning againts the fence in complete silence, his wide blue eyes pointed at the sky. When they first met ten years ago years ago, he had told him that such beautiful green-stained sky shouldn’t hav...

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“The Dragon Princess” by Debra Widdicombe

Submitted to Contest #88

As a transformative Dragon, I was able to fly faster than any other female Dragon and to fight as well as, if not better, than most of the male Dragons. As a warrior Princess in the land of Dragons, I had led a privileged life, with my father as the King of all the Dragons in Dragonland. He had three sons and a daughter. As his only daughter and the eldest child, I was treated as a special member of the Royal family and given my own Castle to live in, within a dense forest. I was happy walking in the forest and flying in the blue sky above...

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“Le Mot Juste” by Theresa Stefaniak

Submitted to Contest #88

Prince Gilliam paced, calculating his odds. Based on what little of the sky he could see, it was dusk. Ten hours until sunrise and his trial. Two guards, armed with swords stood outside his door, another two at the door on the tower’s first floor landing, and nearly half a mile of stairs between each door. Four armed guards patrolled the ground floor. His only way out was through the front gate, past stablemen, two more guards, and whoever might be out for a stroll in the castle courtyard. His main sword training was holding one in portraits...

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“Giving it Up” by Jazmin Medina

Submitted to Contest #88

About three years ago we were asked to be prince and princess. We had no option because it had been a family tradition for so long. I thought I would get away with it. Being a princess and a prince is a lot of work. My prince is all I have here that understands me. We both never wanted this life for us as it just isn't for us. I have thought about leaving but I would have to give up my people and the thrown to escape. I have so much respect for them and they will see me as a traitor. Im not happy anymore, said Princess Ruby.I have decided to...

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“The Holiness of Truck-kun” by Florian Wolf

Submitted to Contest #88

In the old times when wishing was still effective, there was a normal girl who didn't want to be a normal girl. Her days she spent at school. The time after school she spent with her evil sisters. They mocked her shoes. "Pumpkin? Is that even a color?" One of them asked."But," the other sister started, "it fits her! Her head looks like a hokkaido!"Flustered and with an orange face, the normal girl moved to another room. There she started cleaning the house, the garden, and the Nintendo Switchs of the male family members. She was de...

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“Forever is a Long Time” by Melanie Bobin

Submitted to Contest #88

TW:// Mention of suicidal thoughts I hate the sun. I hate the heat. I hate the dryness. I hate...everything here. I pull a book from the shelf and walk towards my chair. The spindly wooded chair is accompanied by a cockroach. Another thing to dislike about here. Brushing it off I sit down, reclused in the shade. The book I'm holding is not one I'm familiar with. It's dark, sleek, and contains the outline of an "x" on the front. Opening it, a letter falls out. "Some things aren't worth giving up." -Exodus "Promises and wishes are best ke...

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“The Painting ” by Jeff Duke

Submitted to Contest #88

During days long past, Bertrand lived alone in a manor house outside a quaint country town. Bertrand stood handsome, tall, wealthy, and strong. Living alone was not his choice. Many said he drove women away being so possessive because of jealousy. His only marriage lasted a few years before she took their son and ran away with another man. Since she left, he reached the point of isolation. Settling into a routine at home, he spent his days inside minding the house and the staff. He tried to learn painting but failed. His attempts to learn ma...

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“The Switch” by Aimee R.

Submitted to Contest #88

Juliet woke up in a soft, warm bed lined with heaters. The white starchy blanket curled up around her toes, and when she looked to the side, Tsar, her parrot, cawed beside her. When she looked to the other side, a row of maids stood, waiting for her to wake. Her handmaiden, Dani, gently took off her night clothes and before Juliet could get a smooth breath, the corset and cinches were strapped tightly around it, constricting her lungs. “Dani, darling, can’t I leave it off?” she asked. Dani, shaking her head, replied. “Princess, that won’t be...

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“Princess Arabell” by Debra Sue Brice

Submitted to Contest #88

The pink glow of the setting sun cast a warm hue over Princess Arabell as she sat anxiously on her lavish bed. She didn’t care if she wrinkled the delicate folds of red taffeta that had been hand sewn just for this occasion. Arabell gripped the layers of her dress and wrung her hands mindlessly as she waited.The coronation taking place just below her bedroom suite was solely in her honor, but Princess Arabell felt nothing for the people or the community in which she was to rule as of midnight tonight. She stared intently at the deep pur...

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“Goodbye, good riddance” by Nalinie Harrinanan

Submitted to Contest #88

Raz closed his eyes as he dipped his hand into the pocket containing the rock. Silently he wondered whether it was the stone or his conscience that weighed on him at this moment. While the small ordinary-looking rock undoubtedly held power that belied its appearance, he was sure it was his conscience betraying him now. Why now, he wondered. Why now, when I am so close. Regardless, his nervousness compelled him to ensure the weight in his pocket was the one required to seal this deal. Just as the tips of his fingers ...

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“The Price” by Ruth Smith

Submitted to Contest #88

Once Upon a Time, there was a kingdom far, far, away. The Kingdom was ruled by the Aricotle family, and the people there were happy, healthy, and prosperous. Until...The people of Aides lived in poverty and strife. They were a ruthless people, always in conflict, always trying to inflict on others the fate they, themselves, had. One day, Monjo, the ruler of the Aides, set his sights on Elysium. They had it perfect there, why can't the Aides people have the same?So the people of Aides invaded the peaceful land of Elysium. The people of Elysiu...

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“The Price of Memories” by Starlight Geminine

Submitted to Contest #88

Deep in the wild, tangled woods that bordered the castle, there was a clearing. In and of itself, this clearing was nothing special; just one of many in the large forest. What made this one in particular stand out was the pool nestled at its center. Almost perfectly round, the pool was ringed by stones that just barely stopped the water from spilling out across the forest floor. Few people knew about this clearing, and fewer still visited, considering the reputation the clearing and its pool ...

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“His Royal Heart” by Ally J.K

Submitted to Contest #88

I am a witness. Yes. I was his only friend. The Prince of Helic, the firstborn. I was his sole companion in all the adventures. We did hunt. We explored the heart of the forest where no man could draw his footstep. We fought monsters, demons, and worse, men. The King, his highness granted me with the title, 'The Royal Companion". Those were days of glory and gold. I was there. Always by the side of my friend. And I was there when he fell. I celebrated and wept with him. He was a free spirit. He lived with his head in the clouds. Carefree, in...

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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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