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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

“The Wish” by Nicolas Faucher

Submitted to Contest #88

Prince Nihant paced around his room, restless after many nights of little sleep and many thoughts. He didn’t want to be here anymore; he disliked the thought of being a prince. The formalities, the constant demand of the public, and the need to perform-perform-perform for those he cared little. How would he ever escape his role without being condemned by his father and mother? Would his wish ever be accepted? ‘Aaahhh!! I wish I could simply walk away from this place and live my own life!’ exclaimed prince Nihant. As the words were uttered, ...

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“Making a deep sacrifice” by Chilaka Praise

Submitted to Contest #88

Music is heard…… In a room near the living room, close to the store room but demarcated with a wall. Its melody was peaceful but it sounded more like a sorrowful song. Its harmony expresses pain more and were in its best accord. She played the piano so well; she closed her eyes trying to concentrate in her world of melody. She’s a kind of person that tries her possible best to express her feelings through her song. Then…. “Elisa! Come downstairs now!” “I’m coming Aunt Felicia” Her steps were more pleasing and ge...

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“Take What You Want” by Lilianna Gower

Submitted to Contest #88

I thought it would take longer for the witches to find me. After all, it had taken them nearly eleven years to locate me in the palace. And now, only ten months after I began hiding in the palace walls, they have made their way into my sanctuary. The walls I metaphorically constructed around me crumbled along with my beloved Sebastian’s body, and I am tired. What is death to my broken spirit? Nothing. At least, that’s what I tell myself. What then, is this feeling, if not fear? My heart is pounding loud enough to drown out th...

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“Creature of Fire and Flame” by Risha Tevins

Submitted to Contest #88

The hag was waiting for them at the gates. The stance portrayed none of the nerves of fear that might have been expected; it was instead tempered steel and ice-and-fire that lay side by side, bent but not broken, either. Wrinkled hands cupped over the darkened edge of the chalice, as the slight slish-slosh of liquid inside persisted, and all the while as the world trembled around them.Elara’s hands shook. On instinct, she pulled the cloak tighter around her. The raggedy thing scratched uncomfortably against the paper-thin sheen of her s...

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“The Moon Princess” by Natalie Sherer

Submitted to Contest #88

Once upon a time in a kingdom with no music or dancing lived a young princess who longed to sing to her heart's desire. Her father was a lovely musician and singer but when he passed away fighting overseas, her mother banned all music and dancing from the kingdom. The young Princess Lucie-Anne was a very sneaky girl and would go out to the garden late at night and sing and dance under the moonlight. One night the princess was caught in the garden and her mother dragged her back to her room, “Lucie-Anne I can no longer trust you at nig...

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“Starting Anew” by Trishna Pandey

Submitted to Contest #88

“Strange vehicles moved around. I managed to figure out that this was some kind of transportation people used. I wasn't sure if this was a violent, insane or a confused land. I had been cast out from the world of love. I had sinned. I intended harm. The dark arts always drew me and I always wanted to be the most powerful being in the land. I kept my pursuit hidden from everyone. However, my yearning came to light as the darkness in me propelled me to sin. I let go of my royal duties one by one, and started defending myself. Someone w...

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“Ayrin's Escape” by Lucinda Britz

Submitted to Contest #88

The thunder of foreign soldier voices boomed through the hallways, striking fear into the hearts of all inside the castle. A knight sprinted through from room to room, his eyes darting, searching. The walls shuddered. The enemy was trying to ram down the front door and they did not have much time before the soldiers were upon them. The knight kept running. Staff were cowering in every corner and they watched the knight with empty eyes. In the empty chamber beside the throne room the knight finally came to a halt. Inside, King Leolt was tyin...

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“Those Unforgotten and Wild” by Chelsea Iversen

Submitted to Contest #88

They have to pick one of us to die, and this time, it will be my brother. My feet pad quietly on the cold stone of the castle floor. Almost always, they are watching us, and I cannot be seen. Witches may hide in the shadows in Winsteria, but we all know they are here, and they always will be, as long as wishes still need granting — even the dark ones. Especially the dark ones. The witch I am going to see has a long, crooked nose, just like in the stories. But she has a sweet, stern disposition, and she gives me sticky honey c...

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“Fiadh” by Pablo Mascaraque Glenn

Submitted to Contest #88

As she lay slumped over her bed, sobbing inconsolably with her head buried in her arms, Princess Fiadh heard her father’s angry stomps receding into the distance. Her mother’s calm, calculated steps, however, grew closer, until the edge of her bed sank slightly and a hand was placed on her shoulder.“Think carefully about it, Fiadh. Don’t make any rash decisions you’re bound to regret. Your father is only doing what he thinks is best for you.”“No!” replied the princess, her arms muffling her voice. “I’ve made my choice. Now leave me alone!”Th...

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“Down the well” by Adelina Stoyanova

Submitted to Contest #88

Running around the pond, the princess was laughing. Her hair was covered in leaves and dandelion seeds were floating in her trail. The goldfish in the water were trying to mimic her movements, darting in circles like frantic flecks of sun. A grey wolf with snow white specks on his muzzle was sitting not far away, watching the young girl run and laugh, and stop to catch her breath. ``````"It ` s not as good when you are standing there like a good little dog", she said accusingly. The wolf simply yawned and shook his majestic head. "Perhaps ...

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“Diadem” by Pyxis N. Citrine

Submitted to Contest #88

I think what I love about this land, my home, is the way the sun shines. Right now, in Autumn, it slants through the trees like the rays are setting the leaves alight. I sit, leaning against an oak tree with the diadem that was carefully arranged in my hair this very morning now resting beside me. I hold it up to the sun and watch as the sunlight jumps through the spring design. The bejewelled flowers sparkle and shimmer. With a sigh I let my hand drop. The diadem reminded me of what I had worked so hard to achieve and yet had lost in only a...

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“A Widow's Coin” by Heather Ann Martinez

Submitted to Contest #88

A Widow’s Coin By Heather Ann Martinez Deep in the shrouds of evergreens and endless butterflies lay the castle of the kingdom of Care-A-Soul. The king had recently passed away leaving his son Edward the throne. Edward was not like his father. The king, Liam, had been a very humble man. King Liam valued the contributions of everyone in his kingdom. He knew his people did not have a lot of money or great wealth to spare. They were always generous with their earnings as was the king. He tried to instill in Prince Edward the value of ever...

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“The Runaway” by Katelynn Chitwood

Submitted to Contest #88

On a faraway land there lived a little princess. Now, this little princess was turning 14 very soon, and as it was back then that once you turned 14 you had to choose someone to run the kingdom. Now, this princess wanted to rule her kingdom by herself but her parents would not have a word of it. I suppose I should tell you the name of this princess, Eliza Victoria Dun Such the 3rd. Once the princes came to see her Eliza was filled with so much anger that she stole some boy clothes and ran away. Now of course there were dragons in the gras...

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“The Child with the Wrong Colour Clothes” by Evi T

Submitted to Contest #88

Once upon a time, not so long ago, there was a village way up in the mountains. In this town a baby’s first birthday was a special occasion. Everyone in the village would join the baby’s parents in a grand feast. They would sing joyous songs and dance furious dances before the parents revealed the baby’s clothes. It was a very important moment for the village and its people. Because the Colour of the clothes, would be the Colour the child would wear its entire life. Either Red or Blue. Everybody in the village was working in a mine. This ...

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“Spring brings Wings” by A R

Submitted to Contest #88

For as long as I can remember, I’ve spent my days cowering from everyone, even my reflection. My days include walking along the outskirts to avoid confrontation, using the difficult and beaten down the road to travel to school to avoid menacing eyes, sitting at the very back of the classroom so everyone’s heads are turned away from me, this is my typical day of living in the shadows, literally. My hut resides on the edge of the forest, away from the rest of civilization. Our kingdom is relatively small, the kingdom of Amaris, a name of Hebre...

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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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