Start your story with someone being forbidden from doing something.

Posted in Dark on Oct 25, 2022

Submissions are closed

Sorry, we are not accepting submissions for this prompt as it is not part of an active contest. Make sure you don't miss our next contest by creating your free Reedsy Prompts account.

Or create a new Reedsy account:

Why not check out our active contest?

✍️ 44 stories

“A medical prescription” by Boutat Driss

Submitted to Contest #116

Every morning for five years, Driss helped his father's workers to take care of the farm animals before carrying a plastic bag as a satchel to school four miles from the farm. Each day at 5 p.m. he returned home to help out on the farm again. He was forbidden to open his notebooks to revise at night because he had to get up early to help on the farm before leaving for school.His family's idea of the boy's future is to grow up, then quit school, work on the farm and get married with his sole qualification of knowing how to write his name and ...

29 comments 29

Read story

“What I Want To Say” by Deidra Whitt Lovegren

Submitted to Contest #116

“Okay, little ladies . . . You know this is a difficult conversation for all parties concerned, but I am going to ask you for 110 percent. I am going to ask you to bring your ideas to the table as we think outside the box. This should be a constructive meeting for all of us. We are going to use our time together to make positive and productive decisions—results-driven decisions—for our future as we drill down on determining what are the most important things to our individual and collective lives. So no tears, all right? I forbid anyone in t...

29 comments 29

Read story

“Simple Rules” by Lorelei Barrett

Submitted to Contest #116

You only have you to rely on, don’t bring anyone else into your messes Don’t get close, remember the last time you did Don’t drink, you get stupid when you do Don’t fall in love, it’ll only disappoint you in the end NEVER break these, they help, they protect, and most importantly remember breaking results in consequences you don’t want to face Five. Only five rules I live by, I’ve learned to make adjustments to maintain these rules. To not break them, for breaking them will only result in a shit storm. Rules that I forbid myself from brea...

22 comments 22

Read story

“I am Genesis” by Katie Ingold

Submitted to Contest #116

CW: Polyamory and some adult contentEarlier“You are not to see those girls anymore. Do you understand, Genevieve? I will not have our family’s reputation tainted by your behavior any longer. It is unacceptable. Your mother and I have had to clean up your mess and do damage control for the last time.”Tick, tock. Tick, tock. The clock on my father’s desk was the only noise in the room until the thrum of the air condition kicked on. It saved the wretched thing from being swept off the desk onto the floor. Its only purpose was to serve as an int...

18 comments 18

Read story

“The Vault” by Chris Lawton

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #116

Week 1 Alex was sitting on the edge of the control console while Jan sat in her chair by her station, only half interested in watching the monitors in front of her. Alex fumbled with the plastic wrap around a tuna sandwich he was holding, and nodded toward the window before them. “Where do you think they found this guy?” he asked.The guy in in question – they didn’t know his name, for security reasons – had been interviewed by them two days prior. And like all of their ‘interviews’, his had been short and sweet. “So you want me to stay do...

11 comments 11

Read story

“This Time Will Be Different” by Theresa Fox Turner

Submitted to Contest #116

(Trigger warning: Strong language, domestic violence, sexual content)"Do not sleep in my room tonight," he said to Cassie on his way out the door to see Melissa, who he claimed was "just a friend." Before he downgraded Cassie and his relationship to what he called roommates, his room was her room. He was her first relationship and her first love; she dropped out of college to move in with him. Most nights, he wanted Cassie in his room, and, of course, she obliged. This proves he still loves me. This time will be different.A couple times...

4 comments 4

Read story

“Driven” by John K Adams

Submitted to Contest #116

Adeline snuggled into Avery’s hug as they watched the perfect sunset. She loved the graceful lines and gentle curves shining off rows of cars, like waves rolling toward a beach. An orange haze softened the sun as it hovered over the gentle hills. “This is our paradise.” “Yes it is,” said Avery. “What more could you want?” Avery’s question hit home. What did she want? They held the perfect jobs. She’d been born to drive Leon Pabbas’ cars. To remain in top condition, any car needs driving. Adeline loved putting a car through its paces at any ...

4 comments 4

Read story

“We Will Miss You, Uncle Miltie” by Bruce Friedman

Submitted to Contest #116

There were a series of light taps on the front door of my parents’ home in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. It was a Tuesday night in late November, 1950. I opened the door and was greeted by my aunts and uncles who entered the room without their usual hullabaloo and seated themselves. The room was a bit warm and stuffy but a November chill was in the air.Everyone directed their attention to the television at one end of the room. They understood the unstated rules for this weekly rendezvous, the most important of which was that no idle chit-chat...

8 comments 8

Read story

“Forbidden to the Tongue but not Forgotten in the Mind” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #116

I was eight years old when she forbade me to do it. My grandmother Martha was then a widow in her early fifties. I am not sure about her exact age then. When she saw me standing behind a tree in the backyard, she made her way quickly over to me, and said in no uncertain terms. “I absolutely forbid you to ever mention what you have seen today. As long as I live, I don’t want anyone in the family to say they heard you talk about this. Do you understand, Donald?” I hesitated for maybe a second and a half, and she s...

4 comments 4

Read story

“Old Willakers Weathers a Storm at Sutton Hill Farm” by S. Thomson

Submitted to Contest #116

ㅤEven if he could hear the radio over the hammering rain, Old Willakers still would have ignored its warning. ㅤ“REMAIN INDOORS. ENSURE ALL WINDOWS AND DOORS ARE CLOSED AND SECURE. DO NOT TRAVEL OUTSIDE FOR ANY REASON. IF YOU ARE INJURED, REMAIN WHERE YOU ARE AND CONTACT EMERGENCY SERVICES.” ㅤThe storm had been brewing for days, and all the inhabitants of Sutton Hill farm had felt it. The pigs had been restless, and even as the rain came down they paced up and down their pen, unable to lie still. Even the farm cat had found the darkest co...

4 comments 4

Read story

“Elements of the Soul” by Caitlyn Cline

Submitted to Contest #116

“I don’t want to ever so much as see crystals around here again Lissette! You do know this is what got your mother killed, don’t you?” Aunt Ivy’s pine green eyes shift back and forth, examining Lissette’s tawny diamond shaped face. “But it’s also what made her feel alive.” Lissette responds. “I don’t understand how you so easily turned your back on our traditions all those years ago. What? Simply because you’re scared?” “Fear isn’t always a bad thing Lissette. You’re young, so you think you know everything, but you don’t. Please just stop wi...

0 comments 0

Read story

“The Heat Between the Clouds” by Eric D.

Submitted to Contest #116

Marina laid the large wicker basket of her hot-air balloon sideways as she held open the edges of her envelope bag with wide-open arms. The inflator fan began to gradually expand the red and yellow striped-bag with cold air while her mother prepared the burners and made sure Marina had packed everything she needed for her long journey East. Her nephew helped load the propane tanks and strapped them in on each corner to achieve the equilibrium she needed to steer safely. Marina carried in the ballasts and other necessities, she paused while p...

7 comments 7

Read story

“No Escape” by F.S Smithard

Submitted to Contest #116

CW: Some bloodshed and Violence. Alan was woken by a wave of icy water washing over his body. Jerking up from his bare bed frame, Alan shivered as a chilly breeze blew away all of his remaining warmth. Wiping the water and grogginess out of his eyes, a young Japanese soldier came into focus. Instinctively, Alan reached down for his trusty M1 Garand, when he remembered that he was in a concentration camp. Even though Alan had no weapon, he was determined to beat the living hell out of the Japanese fool for dumping water on him...

0 comments 0

Read story

“Because I Said So” by Barbara Mealer

Submitted to Contest #116

Eliza entered the living room. A place she normally avoided. But this was important. “Mom, may I go to the dance Friday evening. I did everything you wanted done. The oven is clean. So is the refrigerator. And the bathrooms. I scrubbed all the floors, vacuumed, dusted and all the other things on the list.” Eliza waited for her mother to answer. She needed to keep her end of the bargain. “No.” The one word, without her ever looking up at Eliza, felt like a asteroid had blasted into her. “You promised if I did everything I co...

3 comments 3

Read story

“The Covid Gremlin” by Tanya Humphreys

Submitted to Contest #116

Phoebe came through the back door into the kitchen. The small figure at the table looked up at her with all the sadness in the world reflected in his hazel eyes, and the weight of a ten-ton boulder on his back. His small face was wet, a rivulet of snot glistened over his lips like clear, sticky, slug slime. Phoebe rushed to her brother’s side and took the little boy in her arms, wishing she could shield his trembling body like an umbrella protects from a downpour. “Is he doing it again?” She asked softly. Trevor dampl...

1 comment 1

Read story

Load more stories

🌟 Similar prompts

Write about a character breaking a rule, but for good reason.

Teens – 38 stories

Write about a character seeking forgiveness for something that happened in the past.

Angst – 67 stories

Write about a character who is being asked for their blessing, but is reluctant to give it.

Angst – 14 stories

Write a story that centers around a parking permit.

Fluff – 11 stories

Contest #116

Enter our weekly contest!

This week's theme: Permission vs Forgiveness

$250

Prize money

174

Contest entries

112

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Oct 22, 2021 EST

Won by Story Time 🏆

Title: Straw, Sticks, and Brick

View details

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

We'll send you 5 prompts each week. Respond with your short story and you could win $250!

Menu

CONNECT

BLOG

APPS

TOOLS

ABOUT

Start your story with someone being forbidden from doing something.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 44 stories

“A medical prescription” by Boutat Driss

“What I Want To Say” by Deidra Whitt Lovegren

“Simple Rules” by Lorelei Barrett

“I am Genesis” by Katie Ingold

“The Vault” by Chris Lawton

“This Time Will Be Different” by Theresa Fox Turner

“Driven” by John K Adams

“We Will Miss You, Uncle Miltie” by Bruce Friedman

“Forbidden to the Tongue but not Forgotten in the Mind” by John Steckley

“Old Willakers Weathers a Storm at Sutton Hill Farm” by S. Thomson

“Elements of the Soul” by Caitlyn Cline

“The Heat Between the Clouds” by Eric D.

“No Escape” by F.S Smithard

“Because I Said So” by Barbara Mealer

“The Covid Gremlin” by Tanya Humphreys

🌟 Similar prompts

Write about a character breaking a rule, but for good reason.

Write about a character seeking forgiveness for something that happened in the past.

Write about a character who is being asked for their blessing, but is reluctant to give it.

Write a story that centers around a parking permit.

Contest #116

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

174

Contest entries

112

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: