Start your story with someone making a cup of tea — either for themself or for someone else.

Posted in Fluff on Oct 25, 2022

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✍️ 171 stories

“Tea For Two” by Rob Ryter

Submitted to Contest #128

High Tea The picture of bored indifference, completely unaware she was slowly grinding Aanshu into the dirt, Athaline sat splendidly, waiting. One twelve-hour day at a time, slogging on through endless, back-breaking labour, an infinite, dark tunnel, Aanshu dared allow herself no hope of escape. Ironically, Athaline felt the same about her own existence. Living through one day, again and again, nothing to pin her hopes on, no random surprises, just on and on. In the orangery’s afternoon splendour, sun slanting through the greenhouse panes...

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“A reticent but resolute carer at work.” by Ibiyinka Olubunmi Elushade

Submitted to Contest #128

Reticent but resolute, he waltzed into the kitchen to make her the tea recently requested. The hum of the freezer fused into a samba with the sound of the kettle at work. Immediately, his mind wandered to what the weekend ahead would be like if the expected helper does not show up. The last few weeks of having to take care of her more than ever before have been really stressful. They were however made more bearable by her brother as well as his deep love for them both. But now that her beloved brother is billed to return to his b...

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“The Postman comes to tea” by Chris Holland

Submitted to Contest #128

Ned used his booted foot to open the screen door leading onto the porch, the door squeaked as he opened it and slammed shut behind him before flies and mosquitoes could sneak into the house, he made a mental note to oil the hinges. He carried the metal tray carefully, trying not to spill anything, placing it onto the weather worn table between two wicker chairs..On the tray a large white chipped enamel tea pot, Ned had scooped four teaspoons of Bushells tea into the pot adding a gum leaf for extra flavour, a tin of condensed milk, a plate of...

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“Tea Leaves” by Rebecca Himmel Glassman

Submitted to Contest #128

Early morning. Sadness envelopes me. I am making a cup of tea. I was never one for coffee. It always upset my stomach. I put the teapot up to boil. Not for me these fancy coffee/tea making machines. I like to do things on my own. It makes me feel like I am accomplishing something. Although, this morning I don't feel like I want to accomplish anything. But maybe the tea will help. The rays of the sun are shining brightly through the open window. There is a slight breeze. I can see the curtain moving gently. It looks like it will be a warm da...

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“Carefree in Jiufen” by Amelia Yang

Submitted to Contest #128

Water poured steaming out of a heavy black kettle into and over a much smaller ceramic teapot cleansing and waking the tea leaves. She then used the same water to wash off the cups, one movement flowing into the next. My husband and I watched our waitress demonstrate how to make a perfect pot of Taiwan’s oolong tea at Jiufen’s Amei Tea House. I translated her final instruction to my husband, smell the fragrance after the first steep before the first sip. Then it was just the two of us, sitting outside with our tea in spit...

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“A Tea for Anne ” by Tyler Maund

Submitted to Contest #128

“I’ll make the tea!” Paul said eagerly, ready to prove his worth at any given opportunity. He opened the cupboard door and analysed its contents, five exceptionally ordinary tea cups sat in unison. He could feel the eyes of Amy’s mother on the back of his head, an intimidating woman, a tea connoisseur; he felt a bead of sweat threaten to leave his forehead. Making a cup of tea shouldn’t be such a spine-tingling experience, it is however when you are doing it for your girlfriend’s mother who bears a reputation that str...

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“Why did you go there?” by Lisa C

Submitted to Contest #128

Trigger warning: sexual harassment We are sitting in David’s kitchen drinking tea. We do this every workday morning between 8.05 and 8.45. I rinse out the dregs and smooth away the tannin stains before I put the tea bag and boiling water in his cup. When I put David’s drink down for him, it knocks against the table top, and a tide of light brown liquid slops over the edge of the cup. I want to go and get a napkin to clear it up, but that will annoy him. “Why did you go there? Why did you agree to have a cup of tea with him?” The tea t...

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“A Brewing War” by Glenn Whitlock

Submitted to Contest #128

Janryc stirred his tea as Astram described the situation with the rebels. He felt Janryc’s unbridled rage rolling off him in great waves. He had to resolve this situation before any more people were hurt or killed. Yet, Janryc made that near impossible with his impulsiveness and cruelty. “And what is the size of this rebel force, Astram?” Janryc asked, taking a sip from the cup. “Less than a thousand, my lord,” Astram said. “However, many of them are townspeople from the surrounding villages. Farmers. Tradespeople—.” Janryc cut him off...

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“Memory” by Elena Crudu

Submitted to Contest #128

Ele made herself a cup of tea. It was a freezing cold evening in Chicago, the blizzard created a cover of ice on the roads, the wind was getting through the old windows of her apartment. She could hear the whistling sound the wind created, each more intense than the one before. As she was turning on her gas fireplace, Ele thought that the designers of this fireplace did a good job on making the fake wood logs look real. Mmm, linden tea with honey - her favorite, with each inhale of the teas aroma, memories ...

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“London Boy” by Katelin Grudzinski

Submitted to Contest #128

My hand shook as I sprinkled another spoonful of sugar into the steaming cup. I went to add another spoonful when Grandmother’s voice stopped me, “Not too much sugar, darling.” “I know Grandmother,” I replied, stuffing the spoon back into the sugar bowl. I placed the teacup on its matching saucer and slowly made my way to the dining room table where Grandmother was sitting. A lace placemat was set before her with a buttered biscuit on a pink plate that matched the cup I brought to her. I set the tea down in front of her plate, caref...

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“Sweet Tea” by Teresa Smith

Submitted to Contest #128

Marybeth tipped the teapot and poured the steaming liquid into her cup. It had a light, floral fragrance. Marybeth added two scoops of sugar and a splash of milk. “What do you think, Grandma?” Her granddaughter asked. Marybeth lifted an eyebrow as she picked up the teacup and took a small sip. “Well,” said Marybeth wincing, having taken a drink of tea a little too soon. “It’s different. Beautiful, but different.” Marybeth sat with her daughter and granddaughter in a tea room that had recently opened in town. Marybeth had never vi...

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“The Very First Meeting” by Steven Hamling

Submitted to Contest #128

" I was wondering if you read the book," Margaret asked Kathleen as they made their way to Doris house, " I had no time. I had to watch my grand babies while Ophelia and Jackson went on a booze cruise to Mexico," Kathleen explained. Margaret shook her head, " Are those two ever going to stop? How many times have they dumped the babies on you so they could party like they are college students." Kathleen waved her hand, " Oh, this is only the third time they have gone away and left me with the kids. I don't mind. Give me some time to spend ...

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“Nature Medicine ” by Richard Rubalcaba

Submitted to Contest #128

“Now Malcolm, what did we say about assumptions beforehand?” “To not make assumption first but to hear things out and depends on the situation to let things play itself out.” “Very good, because in some scenarios or a sudden event, if you let its natural course take its role, itself will play it out in its own time naturally.” Ocho, ocho, ocho! “Sounds like you are a receiving a cold?” “I have been sick a little bit and I feel cold.” “Luckily for you I am making some tea.” The kettle cried out loud as if a baby child was ready to eat a...

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“Final Tea Ceremony” by Robert Obszanski

Submitted to Contest #128

The humble elegance of the chawans stood out to him as he placed them on the bamboo mat in front of him. They were of various colours and their imperfection stood out to him as beautiful. He greeted each guest with a courteous bow as they entered, and began to gently clean each utensil in full view of all those around him. He was the host; his gaze was steadied on the task before him. Each utensil had been used previously hundreds of times. The nostalgic feeling did not shake his demeanour in front of all the guests at all. Their clothing...

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“Possessed By The King” by Traven Garcia

Submitted to Contest #128

It was no ordinary day in the kingdom of Avalon, the council of Battle was sitting in the war room preparing for the worst war in their century as the kingdom of Alavandar tried to invade them. The king sat at the head of the war table looking over scroll after scroll trying to find some way to stop this war before it got any worse than it already had. His manservant to his right turned to him, "Would you like some tea, M'lord?" He asked quizzically. The king turned to his manservant and smiled a tired smile at him, "Yes, that would be nice ...

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Start your story with someone making a cup of tea — either for themself or for someone else.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 171 stories

“Tea For Two” by Rob Ryter

“A reticent but resolute carer at work.” by Ibiyinka Olubunmi Elushade

“The Postman comes to tea” by Chris Holland

“Tea Leaves” by Rebecca Himmel Glassman

“Carefree in Jiufen” by Amelia Yang

“A Tea for Anne ” by Tyler Maund

“Why did you go there?” by Lisa C

“A Brewing War” by Glenn Whitlock

“Memory” by Elena Crudu

“London Boy” by Katelin Grudzinski

“Sweet Tea” by Teresa Smith

“The Very First Meeting” by Steven Hamling

“Nature Medicine ” by Richard Rubalcaba

“Final Tea Ceremony” by Robert Obszanski

“Possessed By The King” by Traven Garcia

🌟 Similar prompts

Set your story in a tea house.

Write a story about a tea party that your character is reluctant to go to.

Write about a character who’s dying to “spill the tea” (gossip) about something.

Write a story about a conflict that breaks out over something ordinary (like tea, perhaps).

Contest #128

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

298

Contest entries

160

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: