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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

“Coeden y Bywyd” by Rambling Beth

Submitted to Contest #90

(trigger warning: some violence)Lauren looked down, horrified, at the blood pouring from Joshua’s stomach. She couldn’t look at his mouth, but the distorted mumbling of her name told her all she needed to know. Whoever that stranger had been, they’d punctured her brother’s lung.“Lauren,” Joshua garbled. Lauren raised a hand to cover his stomach, staring as his blood continued to spill. “Lo.”“Shh,” she said at last, unsure what else to do. “It’s going to be okay, Josh. I promise. I’ll call an ambulance. Yeah, everything's okay.”She winced at ...

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“Symbiosis” by Natalie Strawbridge

Submitted to Contest #90

There are only two types of people on campus that Javier can’t stand: a cappella singers and environmental studies majors.Unfortunately for me, I’m both. Is that a form of irony? I wouldn’t know; I’m not an English major.Javier and I met on a train last spring. It was packed, and I dragged my way-too-full suitcase down the aisles, bumping into wayward elbows and ankles. Not my fault people can’t keep their limbs in their seats, but the way they glared at me, you’d think it was. Imagine my relief when there was a single open seat, next to a g...

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“Lavender Memories” by Charli Britton

Submitted to Contest #90

I glare at the back of yet another person who has pushed their way past me, not even bothering to say “Pardon me.” Manners are so nonexistent these days. “Hey!” I hear a tiny voice cry out, interrupting my train of thought. “Give it back!” “Loreen,” I scold my daughter. “Keep your voice down.” I take the doll from my son’s hands. “Andrew, we don’t take things from our sister, alright?” “Please,” I speak to both of them. “be quiet and play together nicely.” It’s hard enough keeping them in line at home— Home, I don’t have one of those now. It...

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“It’s Not the End of the World” by Graham Kinross

Submitted to Contest #90

Biblical plagues don’t seem so bad anymore. In the bible there were only ten. Here in the bunker where I’ve watched humanity blink out of existence I wish I was an Egyptian facing the plagues or one of the heathens who watched Noah’s arc sail away while they drowned. What they have over me is the knowledge that someone would go on after them.The sea rose, how could it not? If you melt ice cubes in soup you get more broth. The rising sea levels weren’t the only problem though. Fish that had evolved to live in certain concentrations of salt wa...

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“Daughters of the Earth” by Joshua G. J. Insole

Submitted to Contest #90

Nathaniel Thornton thought he had found a haven.But, as he tried — and failed — to wriggle free of the pillory, it occurred to him that he’d been wrong. The post wobbled when he fought against his shackles, but the trap would not break. The wooden framework, into which they’d locked his head and hands, remained steadfast and shut. At least no sharp blade hovered above the stocks, ready to guillotine him. Although he’d later reflect that decapitation would have been a preferable fate.“Now, now, Nathaniel.” Heledd Cadigan, dressed in a white r...

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“Cherry Blossoms✿” by 𝔘𝔤𝔬𝔠𝔥𝔦 𝔑.

Submitted to Contest #90

It was mid April and the trees were blooming, I still remember the park’s emptiness, its hard to believe that there was a time when that tree did not exist in that great park.But once that great tree was planted the leaves turned pink and flew with the wind bringing many people closer…That tree became a part of our memory in every season. That park not only became a beauty, no, in a way it became home.ღClaude and MaribelleღToday a young girl walked up to the tree, her hair blowing in the wind, she sat anxiously next to the huge cherry blosso...

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“When The Lark Laughs ” by Amelia Bowen

Submitted to Contest #90

Beth knew she was almost gone. Her organs had turned on her fragile body and the wind threatened to topple over her feather-light frame. She saluted the sky with her right hand, shielding her eyes from the white sun. She swayed in unison with the grass to the wind, gooseflesh gathered on her arms and legs. She turned toward the sound of a lark in the distance.Peter was tending his grandmothers garden when he heard the sound of the small, brown bird. His hand went up to shade his eyes, his other dropping the shovel he was using to join it. He...

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“We Are the Revolution” by Aurora Spencer

Submitted to Contest #90

Books have always spoken about zombie apocalypses, alien invasions and a million other fantastical threats. But the climate apocalypse? Did people even know it was actually much closer than they thought? I didn't think so. In 2080, you didn’t pass a minute without hearing something about the climate crisis, about the way things were going for a toss, and how in less than twenty years, earth was going to become uninhabitable. We tried our best with the latest technology, but technology could only do so much. We should have prepared for it ear...

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“Just Like Nature” by Valerie June

Submitted to Contest #90

We were packed like sardines in a tin. The putrid smell of urine clouded my nostrils and my eyes watered at the horrible stench of body odor that surrounded me. My calves ached, but I knew if I sat down I would never have the strength to rise again. My neighbors shared the same predicament. Ever since boarding that crowded box car I had never looked in a mirror, but I had a general idea of my appearance by observing the other passengers aboard.It was dark inside the train, but it was still possible to see that their pale faces shone lik...

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“If I Could Tell You ” by Kendi Karimi

Submitted to Contest #90

If I could tell you my story as little Rose, I’d tell you about my little chubby arms, always with a beaded bracelet on both my wrists. Nothing small, everything grand and majestic and exaggerated. But now I’m telling you my story as a branch on a tree, and mother bark is dying.In 1972, I was born as Rose Wamuyu, daughter of Njenga Wa Muguda and Beatrice Wawira Wamuyu. From as early as I can remember, I was fascinated by beads. My mother was the daughter to a member of the Mau Mau uprising. Although I never met my grandfather, who died with ...

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“For Posterity” by Cathy Magden

Submitted to Contest #90

London, 1885The overnight train to Glasgow was packed with vacationers, mail workers, and traveling salesmen alike. Families, with their children and their encumbering luggage, had the left half of the carriage. Despite not being part of a family, I landed in their midst—the last seat available. Excited young voices peppered the air with shouts and too many questions to count. By the time of our departure, my preternatural ears begged for a reprieve from the incessant buzz of activity. To my relief, most quieted down after the initial excite...

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“Rocks Remember” by Deborah Mercer

Submitted to Contest #90

I grew up in what some people would call a sect. Or a cult. Oh, folk had their suspicions, but most of them were wide of the mark, and the truth was both more mundane and more strange than they would ever have imagined. Let me tell you what we weren’t. What we did and didn’t believe, and what we did and didn’t do. Though there was some kind of headquarters, it was mainly for administrative purposes, and most members, like my family, just lived in regular houses, did regular jobs, and sent their children to regular schools. Members were allow...

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“Keep. Eden. Alive.” by Carlo Sarrosa

Submitted to Contest #90

The Gardeners, they called us. We were the only ones they trusted to take care of Eden, and I was one of the lucky few to make it all the way here. The application process had been grueling, but now, as I sat in the middle of a crowded train, I couldn’t help but smile. Being a Gardener was the highest level of work: guaranteed riches, guaranteed insurance, and the best medical care Earth had to offer. So long as you keep Eden alive. That phrase had been ingrained in my head by my superiors, over and over and over. At all costs. The words ...

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“the zoo” by Rose Quartz

Submitted to Contest #90

“I want my daughter for the first week.” That is what I said to my ex-wife in court as we were fighting for custody over Kelly. “What makes you think the father gets the kid first and not the one who tore their stomach open to have her?” “I’m the one that gave you the sperm, to begin with!” “I wish you hadn’t!” “Are you saying having Kelly was a mistake!” I yelled. “No, I am saying having her with you was a mistake!” Mandy said. “Your, honor. I have a job now, I would like to take Kelly with me.” I explained. “Tom, you neve...

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“A Villain Arrives at Vorotyntsev Station” by The Manticore

Submitted to Contest #90

Roday Rostovich Ranovichi sits on the metro, alone and happy as usual. He is only happy when he’s alone, when there’s no one else around wearing weird smelly clothes and offending his eyes and nose. Roday does not consider himself to be lesser than anyone, nor does he see himself as superior. He knows himself to be superior. First, he’s good-looking, but he’s also learned to use that to his own advantage. He is not a man you’d want on your bad side, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to get on his good side. Roday is wearing his ...

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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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