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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

“Powerless” by Joe Swanson

Submitted to Contest #88

“How can you let this travesty of injustice continue? The future of mankind rests in the ability of future generations to improve the lives of citizens of the world, by promoting social and economic issues that will not inhibit, but promote the betterment of mankind. You seem content to sit back and watch while those in power, who seek only more power and the wealth that accompanies it, to continue, no matter the devastating consequences to future generations. And I might add, with no significant consequences to those encouraging...

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“Getting to Know the Ropes” by Walt Landers

Submitted to Contest #88

Long ago, I had a strange friendship with a rope. It has never been easy for me to tell people about this friendship. Many will walk away, giving me a stern stare in quick glances. It was a sunny April day, and I had driven over to the Seven Eleven to get a six pack of SunKist orange. I hadn’t noticed the little rope in the driveway and unintentionally stepped on it. I heard, “Do You mind?” I looked left, right, back left. I was the only person in the parking lot. “Down here. Hey. You. I’m do...

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“The Ogre That Loved to Dance” by Sjan Evardsson

Submitted to Contest #88

Back when the world was young, the morning skies promised adventurers excitement in undiscovered lands. Hilda, a tall, stout woman, dressed in nothing more than a loose tunic and short trousers, was one of those adventurers, having traveled years, far from her home in the north. She hadn’t wanted to be an adventurer at first. Her people kicked her out for her love of dancing, and every other place she visited wanted nothing to do with her. Over the years, though, she had grown to enjoy her adventures. At this time, however, she was tired an...

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“A Nice Smile” by You'd Think A Writer Would Have A More Creative Name .

Submitted to Contest #88

1217 wordsRated PG: violence, death, blood, pain, fearPrompt: Write about a prince or princess who is asked to give up something valuable to escape the world they came from.Author's note: No, I have no idea what creative entity has possessed me this week. I might request that they choose you next if you ask nicely.“Earth?” it asks.I bite my lip. My bike helmet is getting itchy. I fumble with the clasp and pull it apart. The helmet falls backwards and into the starry depths below me. It might go to another dimension. It might also be lost in ...

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“The Red Mist” by Somegenius Kid

Submitted to Contest #88

I try to scream but there is no voice coming out of my voice. It feels like my voice just got stolen. I keep trying though. I open my mouth and try to scream but obviously the warlock has stolen my voice. I close my eyes. His appearance is so powerful that I HAVE to close my eyes. It isn’t like it’s going to turn me into stone or anything like Medusa, but just as bad. How? If you look at him in the eye, you’ll feel like, “Oh my god I’m going to dye but I’m paralyzed so I’m going to die in less than 1 second type.” I’m pretty sure you will ne...

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“The Silver Bird, the Hunter's Crown, & the Queen's Treasure” by LM Konkel-Dixon

Submitted to Contest #88

*Featuring characters from "Message from the City," "A Trickster's Tea Party," and "A Family Secret" "This is not what I expected." Iki has never felt more out of place than she does right now in the woods. Wearing brown leggings under a skirt of woven branches, a brown tunic belted with leaves, and a custom antlered crown on her head and holding a spear... that's not her thing. "It takes a bit to get used to." Luz pushes a leafed mask over his face. "It was weird my first time here too. It's a whole royal court tradition." He had twigs ...

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“Liar, Liar, the Truth is Dire” by LM Konkel-Dixon

Submitted to Contest #88

*Featuring characters from "Message from the City" and "A Family Secret" Alyvia taps her pointed nails against her throne's armrest. "I don't see why you're so upset." She had gone for a more elegant appearance today for her fae form. Draped in silk with a veil that went behind her in the form of a train, Alyvia felt particularly royal. "You have always had an... attachment to these humans." "You've had more than your share of attachments as well, sister," Alyn retorts. He pauses to adjust the wraparound garment carefully tailored ...

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“Gray Songbird ” by Elizabeth B.

Submitted to Contest #88

If I were to die at this very moment, life would move on as if I never existed. Sometimes I question if I’m already dead, people look at me as if I’m a ghost anyway. I am the next and only heir to the crown, even though most don’t know I exist. I haven’t left the castle since I was a little girl and I stopped talking at all a few months ago. My mother died when I was a child, we were never close but my father and I were even farther. When he realized I was going to be the only heir to be born in his lifetime he decided it was only appropriat...

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“Black, White, and Gray” by Eulalia Tal'rackideilecki'itolmurthadiwanimithochozkal

Submitted to Contest #88

A long time ago, before humans had come to Earth and before they poisoned the planet, there were elves. As legend goes, Sun and Moon fell in love, and soon they had two elven children. One of the children was named Light, and she fit her name perfectly. Her white skin glowed, and her golden-white hair resembled the daylight. Her eyes were a pale blue, so pale they appeared almost white at first glance. The second child, named Dark, also fit her name. Her brown skin was almost black, with dark blue eyes like the sky at midnight....

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“Fairy tale ending?” by Francis Daisy

Submitted to Contest #88

School never came easy for me. I quit at a very young age. My dad ran off with some friends to make his fortune. My mom was left with me. She said she didn’t mind. Just that: she didn’t mind being left behind. I guess that’s as good as telling me that she loved me. But I think if she could have she would have left me too. I’m glad she didn’t because I think she’s real proud of me now, but I’m getting ahead of myself here. Let me tell you my story of what actually happened. It used to be whenever my dad would get real mad he would st...

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“Prince Aurelius” by Kat Sencen

Submitted to Contest #88

I lean against my wall, which has been encrusted with glittering jewels of all kinds- rubies, sapphires, emeralds, aquamarines, topazes, and on and on and on the list goes. Together, they reflect the entire room, and I can see myself through at least twenty different angles on the other side, shaded from the vibrant gems. It’s fit for a prince- probably because I am one.My father, King Rolf, opens the door to my room, and I turn to him and bow (yes, he makes his son do that.) He crosses over to my bed, four of his seven (yes, SEVEN) guards f...

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“The ugly duckling” by Leslie Strom

Submitted to Contest #88

The Ugly DucklingThe days of my past are shady at best. The thought of my dad travelling to earth to find the ideal host for carrying a baby makes me shiver. I wish I could have gotten to know her, my dad in his sleep has revealed many features of her which is why I sneak into his room at night and lay under the bed waiting for him to sleep.My world is small, and almost all of the humaliens live in big space ships to raise their children and teach them the ways of alien life on planet zero. The aliens on this planet have huts, mad...

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“Behind My Skin” by Mihret Adal Gidi

Submitted to Contest #88

The Life Here“I think, being the great engineer, altered my perspective. I see most things differently; I prefer to work on the structure before anything.”“Thank God, I’m not one of your buildings,” I giggle and gulp in the red wine served before me. I’m on a date with my handsome George who always nags me about my background. I don’t get it, what’s the point of saying you love someone if you can’t love them alone with no knowledge of where they are from or who their families are.Okay, maybe I’m just saying this because I have something to h...

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“Acceptance” by Annette Lovewind

Submitted to Contest #88

Prince Terrance was a prince indeed but he was not a prince Indeed. Sure the man had been born into riches and the heir to the throne a spot many would fight for. He had the tactics for battle drilled into his head and he was healthier than half of his kingdom. He ate and he talked much better than his kingdom too. He had everything a prince would want in the 1600’s everything except acceptance. Terrance could indeed, in theory, do whatever he wanted when he ascended to the throne. He could of course fight the spains or the french and ...

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“The Children of the Forest.” by Marsha Webb

Submitted to Contest #88

Deep in the dark forest was a crumbling old cottage. The wind howled in through the cracks in the frames like a pack of hungry Wolves. A tiny fire was the only warmth in the house and this barely gave out enough heat for the small living room, never mind the rest of the house. The rotten window frames and damaged tiles did nothing to help the bleak atmosphere. The life and love had long since left the house; the crumbling exterior looked like a silhouette of a previous existence. “I’m fffreezing” Howard stammered, he was only...

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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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