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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 Cost of Their Respect” by Delphine Hintz

Submitted to Contest #88

Prince Jevon grew up on scrolls, ink, and library dust. The older Prince Gerome built forts. Crown Prince Thames read and reenacted sword maneuvers. Jevon secluded himself in a deep corner with a stash of candles and would be interrupted only for dinner. He was the third and youngest, though Annabelle was even younger, but she was also a girl. Her only contribution to the family would be a well-placed marriage and heirs to spare should war take her older brothers. Jevon would be given to a political marriage as well, but this would be in add...

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“The Prince of Time ” by Sarah Stark

Submitted to Contest #88

The Prince of Time: “Time is a befuddling word. The action of time is like the continuous, never-ending flow of a river that goes on as far as the East is from the West. It is always moving and never ceases to be there, but people always say time is running out or there simply is not enough. It is not only the force that drives each and every soul, it is a living soul itself. Without the Prince of Time, I do believe we would all be lost, purposeless souls.” Alistair’s voice then faded away as he stood on the river bank staring at the m...

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“At Any Cost ” by Emily Artola

Submitted to Contest #88

With only twenty minutes to do this, there was no room for error here. I was rather surprised to find a note in my bedroom after my training with my teachers. The lesson was supposed to be educational for the daughter of a nobleman but for me, I would much rather tell a good joke to Celia rather than watch my teachers demonstrate how to embroider a piece of fabric or dinner etiquette. My natural characteristics were never looked at with appreciation, but as Mrs. Contina put it, “You my child might have been blessed to have been born to the p...

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“It's Only A Step” by Denise Sodaro

Submitted to Contest #88

She tumbled through the clothes and landed against the closet door with a loud thump. She quickly stood up, opening the door a crack, peering into her chamber. Her maid was standing in the middle, frozen into place, a heavily embroidered jewel encrusted gown in her hands. She bounded towards her maid placing one finger on her lips and the other on the maid’s shoulder. The maid’s eyes grew round with fear and confusion. “Shh. It’s me. Don’t worry.” She let her hands drop. The maid’s hands flew to her face, framing the perfect “o” of he...

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“Immortal Hunt” by Hill De Guarde

Submitted to Contest #88

The air pricked her lungs hastily before Celestine could take note of where exactly she was. Although it felt odd breathing, she did it for as many times as if she had not done it for a while. The flat surface beneath her back was unkindly rough and dusty. The unrefined soil may not be enough to scrape her skin but the earthy smell lingered. Why am I in here?! She recognized the thing where she was awkwardly situated and pushed the casket open. A blinding light beamed at her face, causing her to glint for few seconds. There were good ti...

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“The Princess, The Bear, & The Witch” by Adam Edwards

Submitted to Contest #88

Long ago, there was a tsardom by the sea. The tsardom was a happy and fruitful land. Every season at harvest, the crops were fresh and plentiful. The rivers were beautiful and filled with the cleanest drinking water. The people were happy. Every person was welcome in their neighbor’s home. The children laughed as they played in the field. They celebrated every holiday with enthusiasm and festive jubilation. Most importantly, they loved their tsar. The Tsar was a good tsar who was very kind to his people. The land prospered because of his wis...

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“Family or freedom” by Thahaseen Nashath

Submitted to Contest #88

"Eliana open the door." I open the door to see my friend who is a princess like me but she wasn't planning on escaping this life I called hell. It wasn't easy to wear dresses that weighed a ton just for the pictures plus a tiara over my head which always gets stuck in my hair. I see Bianca getting ready for the ceremony. How fun was it going to be to stand on the stage and smile at people which I don't even know off. "Eliana you are going to be late for the ceremony and I don't want your Mum yelling at us." I sigh and I grab my dress whic...

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“The Land I Come From” by Ultimate Bookworm

Submitted to Contest #88

The land I come from is beautiful. Lyra is filled with lush meadows and clear streams, delicate spires crowning castles and the elegant sweep of ballgowns.The land I come from is beautiful, the way a drop of shimmering poison is beautiful.Because atop the lush meadows are murders hidden by the darkness of the sun's sleep and muffled by the giggling streams. Because staining the delicate spires is dark blood, and the elegant sweep of ballgowns merely disguise the venomous exchanges and thoughts.I could not stand it any longer. I knew, even fr...

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“A different life” by Ionel Rusanu

Submitted to Contest #88

“Pic! Pic! Poc!” the water droplets were falling from the leaves of the maple tree. Princess Mylana was sitting at the base of the tree against its rough bark, admiring the sounds of rain. And the smells! They were even more overwhelming.Probably her father’s minions were looking for her now through the palace and the inner courtyard. But she escaped further than that. She had knowledge of a small door in the inner courtyard's wall that led to a dark forest. That portion of the wall was not so well guarded, and she used to come here in the f...

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“The prince and the warlock” by Elizabeth Rose

Submitted to Contest #88

“Okay, you can take my heart, if it gets me out of this world you can take anything you want.” the boy said with resolve. His regal looking clothes were covered in dirt and sweat. The boy’s eyes were those of an old man though he could not have been more than 13. I did my best to maintain my composer but honestly, I’m sure he probably saw the shock on my face. No one had ever said yes to my deal before. That was the whole point I didn’t actually know ho...

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“The Letter of No Return” by Chris-Maddie Doherty

Submitted to Contest #88

It wasn’t supposed to go like this, I was never meant to leave. I'll take you back to where it all started -- to me and my twin brother. We were as close as any siblings could be. There were never any secrets between us. Because we were born into the royal family, interaction with the villagers was unheard of. From a young age, I knew I wanted to be a warrior, fighting alongside people who I could call my equals. Ethan’s destiny, however, was decided for him at a young age. The first male to be born into the family would be ...

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“The Escape” by Radha Suryawanshi

Submitted to Contest #88

I watched the rain fall. It's what they do; fall. Perhaps it's the cloud’s tears. Perhaps the droplets do it for exhilaration. Perhaps I am being ridiculous. Of course, there is a logical elucidation, but I like to believe that they do it for euphoria. Abandoning their parachutes and taking a flight. Of course, it won’t do the droplets any good when they hit the ground, but they do feel elation before quietus. But for me? It feels as if a giant had stuck a Brobdingnagian straw in my veins when I passed teenage age and drank all the playfulne...

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“#prodigalrockstar” by Mildred Achoch

Submitted to Contest #88

He is African rock royalty. Even after the long absence, his presence lingers in the hearts and minds of his fans. No, not just fans. They are his subjects. His enemies go so far as to call them his minions. Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown. All he wanted was to live and work and play without the suffocating mask of royalty, to enjoy the priceless peace that he had travelled so far to get. But one of his enemies found him. "What is this place? What are you doing, hiding here in the back of nowhere?" He offere...

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“THE EAR” by Mara Masolini

Submitted to Contest #88

THE EAR The people of the village where Alexander lived, with her mother and her grandparents, had always called him the Prince, and he had never been able to understand why. He for himself was a shepherd, who every day took his flock of sheep to pasture. Alexander liked his life as a shepherd, and indeed life was pleasant among those mountains upon which you could see the clouds to rest_, and those green plaines crossed by gushing streams ( brooks) where the silver-blue water flowed as if it sang,...

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“Rtheilia's Voice” by Miriam Brinckley

Submitted to Contest #88

Many years ago, when the enchanted folks were still able to live among us humans, there lived a group of goblins. Now these goblins were horrible, ugly creatures, with warts the sizes of acorns planted on their faces, and teeth that were pointed and yellow. Their ears pointed outward like the elves, but they were green, hairy, and had bumps along them. The goblins were green, like the water in the swamps. Their eyes were black like the night. Despite their ugliness, they held the highest praises of being warriors and fighters. Among the ...

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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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