#98: Origin Stories
Every year, on the fifth day of the lunisolar calendar’s fifth month (which happens to be this Monday!), the Dragon Boat Festival commences with gusto all across China. Within three days of celebration, people attend dragon boat races (as expected), eat sticky rice dumplings (zongzi), and hang aromatic plants around the house to ward off evil spirits.
The origins of the festival are obscure: some say it commemorates the death of a poetic and patriotic official who was exiled from the ancient Chu state. Others say it celebrates a filial daughter who lost her life searching for her father, who fell in the river during the organization of a boat race. While father and daughter were reunited in death, their misfortune connects to yet another alternative origin story for the festival: the fifth day of the fifth month was considered the unluckiest day of the year, and the festivities are carried out to keep this bad energy at bay.
Taking inspiration from these fascinating stories, and from their multiplicity, I present to you the prompts for this week! Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with the festival itself: since the tales behind this occasion are so diverse, there’s something for everyone.
This week's prompts
Write about someone who’s desperately trying to change their luck.
Teens – 101 stories
Set your story on (or in) a winding river.
Middle School – 122 stories
Write a story involving a character who cannot return home.
Angst – 320 stories
Stories
“Aganga Chibuike” by Okey Boy
Submitted to Contest #98
“Fred the Bear” by Bettina Karpathian
Submitted to Contest #98
“Spit Take” by Abigail Jarcho
Submitted to Contest #98
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” by Chacha Jaramillo
Submitted to Contest #98
“THE PREMONITION ” by Ann Everingham
Submitted to Contest #98
“When Dreams Come True” by Christine Bustillo
Submitted to Contest #98
“No tea to drink” by Lavanya Edwin
Submitted to Contest #98
“Smoke” by Nathaniel Redglade
Submitted to Contest #98
“37” by Abigail Mabus
Submitted to Contest #98
“DOOM, FEAR AND WORRY” by Elizabeth Adedokun
Submitted to Contest #98
“The Newfound Seer” by Unknown Jill
Submitted to Contest #98
“The world as she knew it” by Sohini Mazumder
Submitted to Contest #98
“Frightened Heart” by Trishala Ghetiya
Submitted to Contest #98
“A Murder of Crows” by Stephanie Amlett
Submitted to Contest #98
$50
Prize money
752
Contest entries
0
Stories
Ended on 23:59 - Jun 18, 2021 EST
Won by Mary Sheehan 🏆
Title: Blessed Home
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.
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