Write a story containing the words “it’s the thought that counts.”

Posted in Dialogue on Apr 7, 2023

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✍️ 46 stories

“Fortes” by Glenda Toews

Submitted to Contest #193

Sandwiched between Robson and Alberni streets two buildings keep company. The twenty-two-story skyscraper, a dark green prism pulled from the minds of architects at MCM sits on the corner of Thurlow and Alberni. In its shadow, on the corner of Thurlow and Robson, a rich two-story in red brick.The brick oozes finery dipped in an age of old when men removed themselves from the world to smoking rooms where they would sit in burgundy leather wing backs sipping port and chew the end of a puro while discussing world affairs. An arched mutton windo...

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“Goldilock's side” by Jacob Derouen

Submitted to Contest #193

Ok, ok hear me out… porridge isn’t all that great–It’s just ok. Why would I want to break into a bunch of terrifying predators’ quarters just for some ok food? With that being said there is basically no way that I could have had any ill intention by eating the bears’ porridge. I mean–be real– they’re bears. How could I have known that a bunch of bears turned into Todd Chrisley and got a house in the suburbs? With this all being said I still broke and entered, stole, and trespassed in an innocent family’s home. I would still like to say–despi...

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“Mom life” by Pamela Fitch

Submitted to Contest #193

After a long week that was filled with meetings, conferences, kids’ homework, and staying alive while commuting to work with the fellow crazy American drivers, we are home. Not just home, but home for a weekend. The bra is in our purse since we quickly took it off on the way out of the building and getting into our car. Shoes next and after kicking them off they fly across the room, hitting the wall and landing amongst the tower of shoes in the corner of the living room. We open the fridge and see a bottle of white wine c...

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“A Deep, Darkish Secret” by John Steckley

Submitted to Contest #193

A Deep Darkish Secret Burt was more drunk than any of his best bar buddies had ever seen him before. But he appeared to be a happy drunk. And they were more than a little startled when he said that he was celebrating on this night something he had committed (the actual word that he had used) that was rather nasty, something decidedly awful, something he had done just the previous night. He was generally fairly close-mouthed, not usually sharing the thoughts th...

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“Madame of ice ” by Amy May

Submitted to Contest #193

Caution: contains contexts of prostitution and sexual references23rd of July 1915" it's the thought that counts." Her Father had tried to teach her this lesson, but it had never sunk in. Growing up in extreme wealth, she had expected the best of everything. So when she was presented with some material item not as spectacular as she had wished for, she would cry and pout like the poor little rich girl she had been. Now the sentence rattled in her brain like a ringing alarm clock. If it was the thought that counts, her thoughts counted for nil...

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“A Fathers Love” by Sabrina Redden

Submitted to Contest #193

The phone rings. I am assuming on the other end my Dad is calling to wish me a happy birthday. “Hey Gram!”. “ Thank you!”. “Mom is throwing me a party later, are you able to come?”. “Awesome! I cannot wait to see you Gram, we are going to have so much fun! I hope you like cake because mom got a big one!” “Okay Gram, I will see you later, love you bye!”. The phone rings again, I am sure it is Dad this time. “Hey Mike and Mrs. Baker!”. “Thank you, it’s too bad you cannot come to my party later Mike, it is going to be so much fun!”. “A gift?! W...

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“The Day I Made the Whole Thing Up - It's the thought that counts!” by Lauren Marshall

Submitted to Contest #193

Today, I got back my score for my take-home English Book Report. I had been waiting for what felt like a lifetime. You may ask me why, Peggy Jane Harper, would a girl like you - top of the fifth grade class - worry about your grades. Well, you see, the problem is… I did not read a book. In fact, I made the whole thing up. I had a busy weekend. I had done some amazing things, and simply saying a book report was not in the cards. Over the weekend, my mom and ma took me to a theme park! The three of us woke up so early it was stil...

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“A Broken Band of Brothers” by Brandon Tucker

Submitted to Contest #193

[*This is a war story, and not necessarily a happy one, be warned there is death and uncomfortable scenarios*] I want something good to die for, to make it beautiful to live. Steadfast in the face of desperation, I will persevere. Hand in hand, brother to brother, we will make our stand. With a heart of iron and everything to give. Forget not why we crawl, for if it was easy to stand, He would not share. Glory above all else! To make our last hoorah ever grand! “Jonas! Get it together brother!” Dust swept into his eyes, the sounds became a...

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“Pop, Pop, POP!” by Janet Boyer

Submitted to Contest #193

“Boss, I’ll totally do you this favor. I know I can do it. Trust me. After all, Dom’s been in the pen for a decade, and it’s time you trusted someone else to get the job done.” Cristo shifted from foot to foot in front of his employer’s desk. He was Tito’s first cousin, too, but the role of Boss ruled in these matters…Mr. Tito Taffoni looked up. His eyes itched. And watered.Dammit. He scratched his salt and pepper goatee. Forty years in the family business. Forty.A week away from retirement.He had to choose his successor carefully, or all of...

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“THE MOST ORIGINAL GIFT” by Mara Masolini

Submitted to Contest #193

THE MOST ORIGINAL GIFT “ What can I give her?” Peter was wondering for days. His friend Lisa was about to turn eighteen, she would give a big party for her birthday, to which all her friends were invited. She had announced that she wouldn’t accept any gift if it was not exceptionally ORIGINAL. She didn’t want the usual presents that people get for their birthdays. Peter particularly cared about Lisa, perhaps he was even in love with her. He was certainly fascinated by her, he was enchanted by her extravagance. Lisa was an artist, she paint...

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“Its the Thought That Counts” by Jeffrey K Schmoll

Submitted to Contest #193

It’s The Thought That Counts By Jeffrey Kedrick Maya heard the jackboots, clunking in unison on the sidewalk outside. She pulled back the frayed curtain a tiny nervous bit and peeked out. The Thought Crimes Unit (TCU) squad of six patrolled in a tight formation, left and right feet pounding the pavement together. Maya’s chest tightened as each footstep felt like a hammer between her shoulder blades. She shuddered, looking down at their all-black military uniforms and bright white kabuki masks. She could see the patrol leader, tall and burl...

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“R.C.” by Julie Grenness

Submitted to Contest #193

Melinda was her name. Melinda Marshall. Of poor, but hard working parents, she had been born and raised in their faith. She was a good girl, and studied hard to be a primary teacher. She was thrilled to land her first teaching position, in a holy R.C parochial school. Being a newbie teacher, Melinda was stiffed with a difficult task. She was assigned a feisty class of Grade Six students. She had to teach this grade to use their brains, often wondering about the true nature of God's little sunbeams. The boys could have their moments, but then...

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“Renewed Hope” by Lachandra Dean

Submitted to Contest #193

It was the thought that counted, or so they say. But to Emma, it didn't feel like it. Her boyfriend, Jack, had forgotten their anniversary. It wasn't the first time he had forgotten an important date, but it still stung. Emma had spent weeks planning the perfect surprise for Jack. She had reserved a table at his favorite restaurant, bought him tickets to his favorite band's concert, and even made him a personalized scrapbook filled with their memories together. And all Jack had to do was remember the date. Emma tried to brush it off and pret...

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“Which thought?” by Tamarin Butcher

Submitted to Contest #193

Violet stared out of the window, trying to find the bees whose minds she could just feel on the edge of her consciousness. This was her not-quite-a-secret spot, behind the curtains on the window seat where no one could see her. Mother and father never spoke about anything important in the living room without first checking behind the curtain for little ears that weren't supposed to be listening. Violet had never understood why. What was the point of keeping their mouth silent when their thoughts were so very, very loud? A bee buzzed past...

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“The Flag Bandit” by MJ Simons

Submitted to Contest #193

"We should get pizza today," my daughter said."Okay, I did say we would have pizza yesterday," I said as I recall changing our Good Friday meal at the last minute, going with honey walnut shrimp and fried rice instead.We reached the car and backed down the driveway at a slope. Unconsciously I checked for our neighbor's cat, who sometimes sat in waiting as we moved about going to and fro."I hope you finish your driver's ed class soon. You could be driving us to get pizza instead of me," I said as I backed out of our driveway, thinking about m...

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Write a story containing the words “it’s the thought that counts.”

Submissions are closed

✍️ 46 stories

“Fortes” by Glenda Toews

“Goldilock's side” by Jacob Derouen

“Mom life” by Pamela Fitch

“A Deep, Darkish Secret” by John Steckley

“Madame of ice ” by Amy May

“A Fathers Love” by Sabrina Redden

“The Day I Made the Whole Thing Up - It's the thought that counts!” by Lauren Marshall

“A Broken Band of Brothers” by Brandon Tucker

“Pop, Pop, POP!” by Janet Boyer

“THE MOST ORIGINAL GIFT” by Mara Masolini

“Its the Thought That Counts” by Jeffrey K Schmoll

“R.C.” by Julie Grenness

“Renewed Hope” by Lachandra Dean

“Which thought?” by Tamarin Butcher

“The Flag Bandit” by MJ Simons

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story inspired by the concept of arigata-meiwaku — a favor that turns out to be a nuisance for its recipient.

Write about somebody whose intentions are pure, but somehow always manages to do the wrong thing.

Write a story where someone insists on giving your main character a ride to the airport, only for their car to break down.

Write a fable inspired by a relatable life experience (explaining the moral before or after the story, if you’d like).

Contest #193

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

186

Contest entries

115

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: