Write a story starring an octogenarian who’s more than meets the eye.

Posted in Fiction on Aug 11, 2023

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✍️ 68 stories

“Silver Stories” by Rebecca Detti

Submitted to Contest #211

‘We have found that connecting the generations through storytelling has huge benefits to both old and young. Take a look at our website silverstories.co.uk to learn more how to get involved.’‘That was Dame Esther Rantzen, DBE and Trustee of the Silver Stories charity speaking about the success of the charity especially during lockdown…over to Sally for a travel update…’Sarah loved listening to her favourite radio presenter every morning. Her joyous tones and naughty innuendo were a light relief to the drudge of everyday life. The recent feat...

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“Girls Just Want To Have Fun” by Wendy M

Submitted to Contest #211

Bonnie swung the car around the hairpin bends with their views across the Carpathian mountains. She hadn't told Lulu about the car that went over the edge two weeks before but the remains were still there, wheels uppermost, and Lulu shrieked when she saw the taped-off area. The Transfagarasan highway had claimed another victim. "The lake at the top is stunning, darling, worth the ride I promise." ...

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“Nighttime in Newsome” by Diane Tolley

Submitted to Contest #211

The town of Newsome, Saskatchewan has a secret.Has had for a very long time. Forty years or so.Umm…I guess it isn’t much of a secret if everyone knows.And they do. Everyone living in the town that is.Maybe I should get to the point…People in our town have been disappearing. Not in huge numbers. And not all at once. But here and there.One.Then, a few months later, another.And all out of our town jail.I am not making this up. Several of the people thrown in said jail for crimes ranging from misdemeanors to the more serious violent attacks, hav...

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“RESIDENT EVIL” by Rae Toonery

Submitted to Contest #211

Resident Evil “Have you seen this?” Marie asked, sticking her copy of The Boonhill Village Voice under Sally’s nose. The pair of them were sitting at the little Formica table of the Rose Garden Care Home staff kitchen on their break. Sally put aside her Bumper Puzzle Compendium and adjusted her specs. “CARE HOME RESIDENT ARRESTED,” she read. “Ere – isn’t that old what’s-his-face?” She clicked her fingers, trying to jog her memory. She had all on recalling the names of all her children, nieces, and nephews these days. As far as the residents ...

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“The Dark Files of Lazarus: Fee or Favor” by Steffen Lettau

Submitted to Contest #211

June 13th, 2041MODERN-AGE DOCTOR FRANKENSTEINWARNING! THIS PERSON IS STILL AT LARGE! IF APPROACHED BY SOMEONE CLAIMING TO BE A DOCTOR, LEAVE IMMEDIATELY AND NOTIFY AUTHORITIES! DO NOT ENGAGE! DO NOT ATTEMPT TO APPREHEND BY YOURSELF! HE IS WANTED FOR BLACKMAIL, COERCION, EXTORTION, AND SUSPICION OF MURDER!Harrold Lars Bonman, writer of Lazarus InsightThat was my article from five months ago. It was the most eye-catching headline upon the front page of the newspaper, certainly grabbing my attention while I lay strapped to a gurney in the upper...

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“Greta's Greatest Gift ” by Keelan LaForge

Submitted to Contest #211

Nothing stood out about Greta. She lived in a little cottage with a welcoming glow in the windows. She seemed to lead a quiet existence. She kept her house tidy and did all her own chores. She was vivacious for an eighty-year-old, but not to the point in raised any eyebrows. She kept up the habit her mother had taught her, of baking a loaf of bread each day. She’d grown up in the Great Depression and she knew how to squeeze the best value out of a dollar. Her kitchen was simple, but it was always sparklingly clean. The aroma of bread brownin...

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“Golden Girl” by Jennifer Green

Submitted to Contest #211

Agatha's eyes never left the television screen, where scenes of superhuman feats were being displayed. She watched in awe as these young heroes soared through the air and saved innocent people from harm. The vibrant costumes and supernatural powers stirred her soul and she couldn't help but wonder why it wasn't her up there doing all those amazing things. Though she was 80 years old, Agatha had spent her life so far following the rules - working at the library and taking care of her daughter Diana on her own. Now that she was older, ...

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“Miss Charlotte's Specialty” by Luca King Greek

Submitted to Contest #211

A purple book upon her lap, Charlotte was nodding off in the winged armchair by the open French doors when Alys Jones, the generally put-upon cook, cleaner and nursemaid of Brynderwen Hall came into the library, prodded her on the upper arm, alerting her to the presence of a young man. “Visitor for Mister Koenig, a Mister Nigel Brandford”, she said loudly into Charlotte’s good ear. Alys turned to the pasty-faced young man with the thinning hair in the ill-fitting, rumpled, and shiny gray suit who stood on the threshold of the libra...

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“A Survivable Sacrifice” by Lily Autumn West

Submitted to Contest #211

By the time his back starts to ache and his knees creak louder than his armour, a hero is expected to die in battle. It’s the polite thing to do. If he doesn’t, he risks his legend being forgotten, diminished by memories of a doddering geriatric warrior. A smart few ride off into the mists or risk a survivable sacrifice when they feel the effects of old ago. But heroes of legend always die before their time. Well, nearly always. Agatha Fillpot mused these things as she tapped her cane along the dirt path that meandered through the villa...

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“Afternoons with my Unconventional Grandma” by Morrene Hauser

Submitted to Contest #211

My grandma was unconventional, that’s for sure. She rode a motorcycle, she fished, she skiied, and she hunted. And, no, my grandma was not part of a biker gang. She just loved riding her motorcycle. I never understood as a child that my grandma was different from the other grandmas. That’s just the way she was, and I loved and accepted her for it. Grandma was tall with short gray hair, kind brown eyes and a great, big smile. Every time I hugged her, the overwhelming scent of fresh air and Listerine mouth ...

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“The Good Thing About Living in Pleasantville is You’re Never Really Dead” by Michael Jefferson

Submitted to Contest #211

Ainsely Verloren politely shakes the hand of another stranger, who quietly utters, “Sorry for your loss.” “I didn’t know Missy had made so many friends,” Ainsely says to Cutter Klein, one of his few acquaintances. Judging by the turnout, most of the 428 residents in Pleasantville, Iowa, have come to pay their respects. “While you were designing houses, Missy was helping out at the bake sale, volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club, and serving on the Beautification Committee. She really seemed to like it here.” Ainsely holds back his tea...

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“Lost time” by Olga Foxe

Submitted to Contest #211

‘Frank Courtney; new resident in bed 12. Male, 81, major stroke with right-sided weakness, speech affected, discharged from hospital this morning. ’ ‘Family?’ ‘Widowed. A daughter, as far as I know. I don’t think they’re close. He was a clever bloke by the sounds of it; scientist for the government, apparently.’ The two nurses popped their heads round the door, saw that the old man appeared to be asleep and moved on to complete their handover. The old man opened one eye. Glanced around. Settled back into the pillows. ‘Was. Hrmmph.’ The care ...

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“Retire...Who...Why?” by Kimberly Walker

Submitted to Contest #211

Retire…Who…Why? Never, until I die…that’s what Grandma Rainey Arrington said when I asked when she would retire. She said: “As long as I live and breathe, I will continue to teach. Teaching is my life, love, and lifeline.” Lifeline? “Yes, I don’t know what or where I would be without my educational background. When I was a girl, I couldn’t attend school. Your grandfather never learned to read. I was fortunate to have an employer who taught me enough to do the shopping for the kitchen and cleaning supplies, probably because she didn’t want me...

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“A Paladin, an Elf and an Old Man.” by Jordan Rigley

Submitted to Contest #211

The war hammer arced ferociously downwards, hurtling towards my chest. I shimmied my body sideways, quickly, and the blow scraped dangerously against my armoured shoulder with a high-pitched squeal. The Goblin reared and started towards me again, brownish yellow eyes flashing menacingly beneath his rust covered helm. I staggered backwards half a step, momentarily frozen by his sudden appearance. My hand reached downwards, grasping clumsily for the hilt of my sword. Too slow. The hammer fell upon me again, even more viciously this time,...

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“Crows” by Shirley Heinz

Submitted to Contest #211

It’s been over five years, since old Willie Odemann’s farm underwent development, but the crows keep coming—hoping the corn will come back, I think. When I was trying to take a shortcut a few weeks back, I saw some strawberries growing wild alongside that sixty-some apartment complex where mostly corn used to grow. But you can’t really take shortcuts no more. Everyone’s has to fence their little piece of land these days. Stingy folks really. Unless you can jump and climb like a kid, you can’t take shortcuts...

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Write a story starring an octogenarian who’s more than meets the eye.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 68 stories

“Silver Stories” by Rebecca Detti

“Girls Just Want To Have Fun” by Wendy M

“Nighttime in Newsome” by Diane Tolley

“RESIDENT EVIL” by Rae Toonery

“The Dark Files of Lazarus: Fee or Favor” by Steffen Lettau

“Greta's Greatest Gift ” by Keelan LaForge

“Golden Girl” by Jennifer Green

“Miss Charlotte's Specialty” by Luca King Greek

“A Survivable Sacrifice” by Lily Autumn West

“Afternoons with my Unconventional Grandma” by Morrene Hauser

“The Good Thing About Living in Pleasantville is You’re Never Really Dead” by Michael Jefferson

“Lost time” by Olga Foxe

“Retire...Who...Why?” by Kimberly Walker

“A Paladin, an Elf and an Old Man.” by Jordan Rigley

“Crows” by Shirley Heinz

🌟 Similar prompts

Begin your story with a librarian searching for something.

Write a story involving a friendship with an adorable animal.

Set or begin your story in a room lit by the flickering flames of the fireplace.

End your story with two characters reconciling.

Contest #211

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

308

Contest entries

107

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: