Write a story where a regular household item becomes sentient.

Posted in Fantasy on Feb 23, 2024

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✍️ 128 stories

“Do be Careful with your Doilies” by Betsy H

Submitted to Contest #239

“You can’t look at it directly. Well, I lie. You shouldn’t look at it directly.” The man was standing in front of a framed painting hanging in the back room of the dusty apartment. A clean sheet was artfully draped over it. “I have it covered as you see,” he continued, “it’s been inconsolable since Mrs. Shasta passed. We aren’t quite sure how to safely move it.” The movers frowned; this was not usual. But unusual was their specialty. “Is it screwed to the wall or something?” The taller one asked. “How fragile is it?” What the shorter one w...

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“Inimitable Blue” by Ashley Cox

Submitted to Contest #239

Some ideas should never share air with us. Like the innocent blue blood in our veins unborn ideas are present, quiet, unnoticed—until the skin is pierced. Then, loudly red and irrevocable, they are among us. In the case of bread, electricity, the photograph, there is joy in the permanence. In others, there is misery. The Painter came to prominence in an American state you’ve heard of but never stepped foot in. As a child he was unextraordinary at unextraordinary things—paint-by-number, coloring books, stale art class assignments, the yearb...

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“Morning Brew” by Karen Monroe

Submitted to Contest #239

Morning Brew The Barista pours the steamed milk in the cup as it mixes with the espresso. Then carefully forms a dot with the foam, creamy and white. As the dot enlarges, with a slow lift of the pitcher, she continues the pour slicing the foam down the middle to form a heart. Imagine this going on, order after order, hour after hour, day after day. In the background a loop...

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“Pink Mug” by Nina Maria Janke

Submitted to Contest #239

A youngish couple, a handsome blond and an elegant brunette slowly approached the kitchen accessories area in an IKEA. They talked in whispers, passing by various practical appliances that reminded them of things they didn’t want to think about. When they arrived in the mug aisle, she stopped and turned to face him, “I just don’t know what to do,” she said. “You’ll try again later, what else can you do?” &...

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“Pampered but not Ordinary” by B. D.415

Submitted to Contest #239

It was a typical Spring afternoon in Willows End, Maine as I could hear and smell subtle glimpses of the approaching season. After last night’s rain, I wondered if the Rock Cress or “Arabis caucasica” if you prefer the fancy name had made its appearance in Lidia’s rock garden just outside the windows. I imagined that it must be around April or May because I heard the delight in Lidia’s voice when she retreated to the pantry for shears. I could tell that she was on her hunt for a special bouquet of early Spring flower...

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“The Forgiveness of a Feather with an Eye” by Bing H

Submitted to Contest #239

She missed. She was still in a panic, but after throwing her bookbag and missing, she didn’t have anything else to throw. She slowly felt her way along the wall to her back, trying to navigate to her bedroom door as the thing watched her. But that’s all it did. It just watched her. It was a feather-like quill, but above the center of its rachis sat a singular eye, and it just stared on at her. “Kiera!” her father pounded on her door. “What was that noise?” he slurred.“Nothing,” she cowered, “I just sl...

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“Sponge's Awakening” by Cynthia Hansford

Submitted to Contest #239

The cozy suburban house was surrounded by tall oak trees, with a white picket fence and blooming flowerbeds that exuded a sense of everyday life. Inside, the Barton family carried out their usual morning activities. Jane Barton was making pancakes for breakfast, while her husband, James, read the newspaper. Their two kids, Tommy, who was 10 and Lily, who was 8, playfully argued over the comics section. In the kitchen, atop the counter beside the sink, sat an ordinary yellow sponge. It had sat in the same spot for months, bought in a value pa...

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“Please take me home” by Jose Hernandez

Submitted to Contest #239

The sunshine gleams across the lumbers, lighting them up to a warm honey that reflects off even the darkest eyes. Though, dust clouds linger at every corner—even sliding my finger down open boxes accumulates a hefty patch of dust. “Even the boxes have dust.” I stagger while flicking the dust off my finger. Rummaging through the tacky clothes and crumpled pieces of paper, I seem to only find junk waiting to be thrown away—someday. “Where is it?” Taking long strides, I evade, dodge, swiftly side step and maneuver through, up and over atti...

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Write a story where a regular household item becomes sentient.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 128 stories

“Do be Careful with your Doilies” by Betsy H

“Inimitable Blue” by Ashley Cox

“Morning Brew” by Karen Monroe

“Pink Mug” by Nina Maria Janke

“Pampered but not Ordinary” by B. D.415

“The Forgiveness of a Feather with an Eye” by Bing H

“Sponge's Awakening” by Cynthia Hansford

“Please take me home” by Jose Hernandez

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with it raining… anything but rain (e.g. flowers, cutlery, seashells, running shoes).

Write a story where the laws of time and space begin to dissolve.

Write a story where your character is traveling a road that has no end.

Write a story about an artist whose work has magical properties.

Contest #239

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

510

Contest entries

132

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

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