#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
“Vision that he didn't believe” by Hannah C
Submitted to Contest #98
“Do You Believe Me Now?” by Kir Fowler
Submitted to Contest #98
“Love Story” by Maggie Nerz Iribarne
Submitted to Contest #98
“What Would Become of My Life?” by Heather Duckett
Submitted to Contest #98
“Denali” by Marie McLaughlin
Submitted to Contest #98
“Daydreams. Nightmares.” by Abigail Smer
Submitted to Contest #98
“Flight” by Chantel Vereen
Submitted to Contest #98
“The Mirror” by Yalvin Young
Submitted to Contest #98
“In My Bones” by Jewel Macwilliam
Submitted to Contest #98
“The (Im)mortal Mazu” by Keelee Gray
Submitted to Contest #98
“If The World Was Ending” by Serena Johnston
Submitted to Contest #98
“Uncle Arjun” by Freya Cullen
Submitted to Contest #98
“A petition for the abolishment of Monday” by M. A. Shepherd
Submitted to Contest #98
“19, 8, 5, 10, 3, 25, 7” by Tricia Shulist
Submitted to Contest #98
“Totem” by Brian Barrott
Submitted to Contest #98
$50
Prize money
751
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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