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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#90: Down to Earth

On April 22nd 1970, the first Earth Day was celebrated in the US. More than 50 years later, this annual event unites millions across the globe, as we turn our attention towards climate action and building a safer home for ourselves and all life on Earth.

Earth Day provides an opportunity for each of us to reflect on our relationship with the planet — and what better way to do that than by writing about it? Whether you follow in the footsteps of the Romantics, who believed in the rehabilitating powers of nature, or the SFF giants whose dystopian novels have long forewarned the demise of Earth Prime, let’s join in the spirit of Earth Day and get closer to nature with this week’s prompts!

This week's prompts

Write a story that weaves together multiple lives through their connection to a particular tree.

Spring – 246 stories

Write a story in which an endangered species (of plant or animal) plays a central role.

Middle School – 94 stories

Set your story in a world living with the consequences of a climate apocalypse.

Science Fiction – 133 stories

Write about a community that worships Mother Nature.

Summer – 82 stories

Start your story with someone sitting on a crowded train and end it with them looking out over beautiful natural scenery.

Spring – 258 stories

Stories

“We As One” by Charli Britton

Submitted to Contest #90

My bare feet spring across the wood gracefully as I bound over the branch and to the main Hollow. I will be picking splinters out of my heels for days, but right now I don't care. I’m late. Today of all days, I had to be late. I decided to take a quick nap before this, I knew I would be up all night and it had seemed smart at the time, but I overslept, and now I was late to possibly the biggest day of my life. I pause at the circular door and rake my fingers through my dark auburn hair, trying to tame my wild strands. I try to catch my b...

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“Friends and Forever ” by ᏒᏬᏖᏂᎩ_ ᎷᏗᎩ

Submitted to Contest #90

You can see her in the distance, perched on a branch--feet dangling to and fro when the crack of the rising sun commences. You can still see her slight figure when the sun cowardly sinks into its daily game of hiding. She comes into the house with shoes full of leaves. She says it’s to keep the tree always near her. I say it’s only for spite because as she stated yesterday, “I don’t give her enough freedom”. She’s loved that useless, big piece of bark the way I wish I loved her father. He’s not here now-he’s gone--gone like that ra...

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“atleigh's apocalypse ” by Frances Reine

Submitted to Contest #90

That day Atleigh nearly squeezed her phone so hard it would’ve molded to her fist’s sweaty interior, the cemetery hills were unearthed by a trillion trillion trillion muddy hands picking off maggots like lint. Atleigh had a trillion one-word texts she never sent even though every previous time was easier once she stalled and recalled that instance side by side with the one at hand. By that point though, it was impossible to send anything once again. Atleigh was stiff on the train, nos...

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“New Horizons” by Madhurima Datar

Submitted to Contest #90

Galaxy: Idurne 134, Star: Ignatius, Space-Station 3459, Nearest Planet: Certiorari. E-14 entered the station, her shoulders drooped and sweat covering her temple. She slugged to the bar. Her eyebrows were slightly creased, and her face contorted in a frown. She was tired of this. The star was going to explode any time now. E-14 walked towards the counter. "Can I get Cranella Juice, please? No crest." The server nodded and started making her order. "You seem tired. " E-14 smiled. "What gives?" The server pointe...

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“The last Strawberries on earth ” by Georgia Papp

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #90

I first see him stumbling through the junk, tripping over jutting pieces, barely remaining upright as a Collector pushes him forward. He’s clearly not used to walking in the gear, his heavy boots catching on scattered debris, his shoulders hunched with the weight of it. His gloved hands keep reaching for the face mask, but he doesn’t have the dexterity to undo it as he goes. Luckily. Right before he reaches my sector, the inevitable happens. I watch in slow motion as he miscalculates a step and lifts his thick-soled foot too little, lurching...

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“The Monkey Tree” by Rachel Loughran

Submitted to Contest #90

He was born of the earth millennia ago, and in the beginning he had brothers and sisters around him who kept him sheltered and safe. His fingers crept through the soil, clinging to it; pushing aside rocks and boulders and searching for water to make him strong. Time meant little to him as he grew; there was only he and his kind, and days and nights told him nothing yet of the habits of mankind. Deep into the earth he mined, those fingers becoming arms and legs which twisted around his fellows in an underground orgy of limbs exploring the ric...

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“Chosen Child” by Charli Britton

Submitted to Contest #90

TW: murder Prayers pass between silent lips. The hushed whispers filled my ears as the murmurs blur together. “Please Mother,” I whisper. “Please bring the rain, let the crops be plentiful this year.” I gaze up at the wooden statue of our Mother. I once asked my parents why she wasn’t carved from gold like the statues in the history books. They said it was because our Mother would want to be carved from nature. Her palms are open wide, beckoning me to come. I stand up from my place next to my parents and brother, and slowly...

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“The Settler with a Blue Toe” by Arwen Dove

Submitted to Contest #90

There once was a village called Nottingham. The villagers were all just as poor as the next, so that one may think they had nothing. And yet, one would be wrong. The villagers of Nottingham were rich in their own way. They were full of hope. One could feel the hopeful sensation when walking past the village gates, which were always open to visitors. The people of Nottingham were very happy, despite their poorly state; They ate what little food they had, slept in their little heather beds, and were merry and made music. It was Christmas ...

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“A Journey to the Past. ” by Shannon Ruane

Submitted to Contest #90

A Journey to the Past.While she loaded her final box of belongings onto the Tourist Railway train, Andrea could not determine whether her actions were selfish. Many people probably would consider booking two cabins on the most frequently used train during the beginning of summer a significant inconvenience. The train station was renamed 'Tourist Railway' because of the usage rates. Packed with people ready for fantastic adventures, they often brought little or no luggage. Any part of year the train was crowded. Frequently, there were moments...

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“The Ice Days” by Hana J

Submitted to Contest #90

When the sun disappeared, so did we. I wish I could have told my mother goodbye. I wish I could have seen this coming in some sort of spiritual prophecy. But truth be told, no one saw it coming. Not even god. Sometime last June the cold set in. I don’t exactly remember what day, because all days became non-essential. I’m not even sure if calling it a day, is proper terminology anymore. The sun left us to the cold bitterling of the moon. I us...

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“The Magical Tree” by Caroline Fonteno

Submitted to Contest #90

The Magical tree Samantha Samantha Summers was a beautiful 12 year old girl. She lived on a farm in Texas. She had blond hair, brown eyes, and perfect teeth. She lived with her mother, father, brother, and dog Molly. Samantha loved to play outdoors and would have had many friends except for the fact that they lived in the middle of nowhere. Her only friends were the only people she knew. Her parents, brother, dog, and the neighbors, an old couple who did nothing all day but sit on their porch talking. They had a grandson but Samantha never...

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“Exchange of Letters” by Devansh Agarwal

Submitted to Contest #90

The ball hit the glass, and the glass cracked with a loud noise. Moss slapped his head and said to himself, "I am not ready to go through this again."Bellowing in anger, Nome came out of his house and roared, "You insolent fool! I will not spare you this time." He grabbed the broom and ran after Moss.Moss ran for his life yelling, "You old bum will never be able to catch me."Moss rushed inside his house and locked the door behind him. Nome banged the door and said, "Get out at once, or you will never get your football back."Nome's thre...

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“A Tree in the Rain” by Kristin Neubauer

Submitted to Contest #90

**Author's note: Please see the note in the Comments for a fact vs. fiction breakdownSavannah, TennesseeApril, 2021I am dying. I do not need to feel the old man’s fingers probing my roots to know. Or his knife stabbing my bark. I do not need to hear the grunts as he shuffles around me shaking his head. Or his final pronouncement to the lady in the floppy hat and long skirt.“Can’t be saved this time, Effie. It’s gotta come down.”The lady dabs her eyes.“Oh, Cal. Are you sure? It’s the last of our Civil War trees.”“I know, I know. Hundred ...

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“Shaanxi Earthquake” by Rose Quartz

Submitted to Contest #90

Violent winds and roaring thunder would slice down any trees in its path. Cars would be crushed, homes would be destroyed, and some weren’t able to evacuate in time. Lucy was one of those unfortunate families. They were forced to watch the news, which warned them that the most dangerous earthquake in history would be appearing in China. Although China was one of the wealthiest nations, 60% of the population was expected to be wiped out. It was only a matter of time before the storm would come, in fact, they only had a day to prepare. Lucy’s ...

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“Dinner” by Ro Gardje

Submitted to Contest #90

“I’ll be back as quickly as possible”“Just find something to eat.”“I will.”“Please.”“I will.”“I can’t continue like this.”“I know.”“We are starving to death.”, these days Aiya’s words were persistently muted by tears. She was too dehydrated for real tears, but they were still there, nonetheless, choking her thoughts and squeezing her heart.The baby was quiet, suckling on her tiny languid breast. Kai looked at them one last time before leaving and wondered how there could be anything left for the baby to drink in this depleted skin.Things had...

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$50

Prize money

813

Contest entries

0

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Apr 23, 2021 EST

Won by Nina Chyll 🏆

Title: The Tree Surgeon's Dictionary

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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