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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

“Spawn of Eldritch ” by Achieng' Odhiambo

Submitted to Contest #88

“Potter!”I was trying to find a spot next to the old equipment with the hopes of going unnoticed during training when I heard Karl Anderson’s booming voice. I froze as a jolt of terror swept through me. Karl was the sadistic narcissist who had made my life hell ever since I joined the Charistulian Academy. I was horrified when I came back from summer vacation and found that he was part of the school’s staff. I had to call him Mr Anderson every time I addressed him, feeding his already enormous ego. Whenever he paid any kind of attention...

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“Time Controller” by Niño France

Submitted to Contest #88

Me and Bryan was going to unfamiliar place, this place was so dark and so scary. "Bryan! Can we go home why we are here, you told me we go to an adventure." I said to Bryan, im tired and want to go home now. "Alexa, this is an adventure, shut up we're almost there." Bryan said. Okay okay okay whatever, we are in the woods now and a while ago we find an abandoned house, this house was big, so we call it mansion. "What are we doing here?" I asked Bryan. "Yes we're here, okay let's enter the house." Bryan said, he didn't answer my question. Som...

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“A boy called Hans” by MARIA PAPAMARGARITI

Submitted to Contest #88

Once upon a time, when people used to listen to the stories that the wind wanted to share with them, there was a boy born in Fionia island, in Denmark. ‘Which boy?’ and ‘Why is this boy from such an old time so special to know about?’ These are two questions that may come to mind while reading these lines. And then again there is another thought which will most probably come to your mind. ‘Oh, it’s a fairy tale. No time for fairy tales. Time is running, clock is ticking.’ ‘The wind telling stories... this is fairy tales for young, really yo...

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“Lilac Dress” by Nicole Khomenko

Submitted to Contest #88

Lilac DressA soft breeze brings in sandalwood, black tea,sweet vanilla into the room.The soft flame of the candle falls to the side,beckoning to the cool spring,to the pink and blue and purple,and saluting the falling sun.I glance towards the dress, straps on a hanger,as the ends flutter gently with the wind.I'd dreamt of wearing that dress,feel the soft lilac on my skin and flowers entangled in my hair.I'd dreamt of it trailing round my feet,fingers grasping the cabbage hems.I'd even imagined myself living in a large cottage,light birch wal...

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“Self-Reflection” by S. J. F.

Submitted to Contest #88

Raising a delicate hand to the mirror, the prince stepped through the filaments with the witch’s spell still warming his mouth. The journey did not go as advertised. Prince Alexander expected to see the world he had seen on the other side of the mirror. A world where the people looked peac...

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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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