Write about a character who discovers something while raking leaves in their neighborhood.

Posted in Mystery on Dec 2, 2022

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✍️ 40 stories

“The Secret Garden” by Chirag Gandhi

Submitted to Contest #175

As the autumn leaves began to fall and cover the ground, Claire knew it was time for her annual ritual: raking the leaves in her neighborhood. She loved the crisp, cool air and the satisfying crunch of the leaves beneath her feet as she worked. It was a peaceful and meditative task, and it allowed her to clear her mind and focus on the present moment. Claire had lived in her neighborhood for almost twenty years, and she knew every nook and cranny of the small community. She knew which houses had the friendliest dogs, which ones had the bes...

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“Betrayal in the Wind” by Nikolas Zarate

Submitted to Contest #175

In the small town of Skystead, Washington, the townspeople have still not recovered from the disappearance of local teen Anita Callahan, the daughter of mayor Carlos Callahan. Her disappearance is still a mystery after a whole year; the only thing known is that she was supposed to hang out with friends on the day of her death, but she never showed up. She was set to meet teens Rosita Lamicella, Evan Espinosa, and Henry Cottonwood. They were set to meet at Park Rosewater. It is unknown what they were meeting up for, but what is known is...

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“Glitter and Magenta ” by Neha A

Submitted to Contest #175

Leaves covered the ground like a patchwork blanket of… leaves. I gave up on finding a metaphor for the myriad of fall colors and just kept on raking. The leaf blower would have been more helpful, but after last nights storm, the power was still out and I hadn’t charged it so, I had a rake. Rake rake rake the daaay awayyy. None of mental jingles were landing either. I’d finished most of the front yard, but when I went to grab a big handful to toss into the pile I would drag over to the compost bin something shiny fell to the ground. I reached...

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“Protecting Merchent Mansion” by Patricia Merewether

Submitted to Contest #175

I've inhabited this house for nearly two hundred years and watched generations of my family take their first breath and their last. I know their secrets. My name is Thomas Merchant, I was the previous corporeal Merchant, and I remain here to protect this house forever. I wasn't even dead when the first realtor knocked on our door and shoved papers and a business card at me before even saying hello. I told her to go away, but she kept leaving flyers, sending me letters, and calling me at least once a week. She returned again, and I as...

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“Lending a Hand” by Sarah Goodner

Submitted to Contest #175

It was nearing December. Most of the leaves that were going to fall off the trees already had, so I was raking the vacant lot next door to us. We’d lived in our house for fourteen years, and I’d never met the owner. Our subdivision had once been forest, so with the amount of trees, the grass never grew tall enough to necessitate mowing. Fall was a bitch, however, and all the leaves that fell from the multitude of Oaks next door inevitably wound up in my yard if I didn’t rake it. It was a sizable lot, I was already twenty trash bags in at noo...

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“No Good Deed” by Linz Munro

Submitted to Contest #175

The last of the autumn leaves floated down to join the multi-coloured pile that had gathered against her wall.Moments later the kids at Number 21, a girl of five dressed in a red coat, long blonde hair flying behind her, and her four year old brother, in green, ran through the leaves on their way to school.Janice sipped her sweet, black coffee as she sat and watched the family’s progress. Something had to be done about those leaves, and it looked like it would have to be her.The school bell was her cue. Mr Whiskers, her tabby, watc...

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“It's as Simple as That” by Ramel Kersey

Submitted to Contest #175

I’ve only made one promise in my entire life. As time seamlessly goes by, the day and night losing their separation, dates evoking no emergency within me, and life slowly becoming devoid of any true meaning, I continue on because for some reason my soul feels obligated to uphold this promise. Pride doesn’t dictate how I operate and shame puts no fear in my heart. So why I’m inclined to remain true to my word is beyond me and it’s bothering me that I can’t get to the bottom of it. It snowed six inches two days ago. Being that it’s the middle...

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“Leaf It To Herb” by Murray Burns

Submitted to Contest #175

Leaf It To HerbDeath/Dark Humor Henpecked (Hĕn’-pĕct): Dominated or harassed (usually a man by a woman) with persistent nagging; Herb.It is sometimes difficult to ascertain with any degree of accuracy the exact moment when a man loses it, succumbs to the inner evil that lurks within, and crosses over to the dark side. Is there a point where a single drop of water can sink a ship, one more degree of temperature causes the pot to boil over, or one more screeching syllable from the tormentor pushes a man over the edge? Let’s find out.“Hey,...

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“Nothing” by Henry Ramos Acosta

Submitted to Contest #175

I feel nothing. I don't believe there is anyone who is experiencing something who can accurately describe what that is as to give those who do not have it access to that thing. What does it mean to feel that which is objective, but cannot be accessed through the subjective? What are us who do not have this feeling to do with such inadequate instructions on how to obtain it. When people say they feel peace, they usually say they have a sense of relief, feel at ease, are detached from worries in the world, serene despite what is going on aroun...

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“Lost Truth” by Shemar Edwards

Submitted to Contest #175

My husband was a deadbeat. Not by choice but a series of unfortunate events. He grew up an orphan and bounced around home to home and eventually the streets. He’d gotten severely injured working for a construction group as a teen, long before we had met. From the same site he developed multiple respiratory afflictions that followed him all his days. His rags were unsightly as he pumped my gas on a fall evening. So, I gave him an extra $20 for his services. He said, “miss, we will never meet again and it wouldn’t sit right with me if I...

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Write about a character who discovers something while raking leaves in their neighborhood.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 40 stories

“The Secret Garden” by Chirag Gandhi

“Betrayal in the Wind” by Nikolas Zarate

“Glitter and Magenta ” by Neha A

“Protecting Merchent Mansion” by Patricia Merewether

“Lending a Hand” by Sarah Goodner

“No Good Deed” by Linz Munro

“It's as Simple as That” by Ramel Kersey

“Leaf It To Herb” by Murray Burns

“Nothing” by Henry Ramos Acosta

“Lost Truth” by Shemar Edwards

🌟 Similar prompts

Start your story with two people planting a tree together.

Write a story about someone who volunteers to read for others at the local library, and how it impacts their community.

Write about a professional who is called back to serve their community after retirement.

Write a story that includes someone saying, “Thank you for that.”

Contest #175

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

176

Contest entries

105

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: