Start or end your story in a bustling street food market.

Posted in Narrative on Dec 8, 2023

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✍️ 25 stories

“The Three Body Problem” by Scott Christenson

Submitted to Contest #228

Lucas and Harper agreed on exactly one thing. Though they didn't know each other, and were currently refusing to speak to each other, and disagreed about everything else, they both agreed Isabella was an idiot. It was showing in their subtle head shakes and the not so well hidden eye rolls.The three of them were handcuffed together at the McCarren Park Greenmarket (a greenmarket is just a farmer's market, in New York, they need to give a special name to everything).It was a three body problem.They could escape if they agreed on which way to ...

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“Chatter at the Market” by Hannah Lynn

Submitted to Contest #228

Another event in the desert where it’s 100 degrees in the shade and by shade he meant the canopy that he himself had struggled to put up. The website had shown a lot of chatter regarding that food market, so he had submitted his application and rented a booth.It was an annual event, always blistering hot and always packed to the gills. He had been there as a customer many times over the years indulging in the comforting Tex-Mex cuisine, but this was his first time as a vendor. Being a computer programmer by profession and not ...

8 comments 8

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“Catharsis” by Gabriele Michaela Lyman-von Steiger

Submitted to Contest #228

Yummy: “Start or end your story in a bustling street food market…” Catharsis By Gabriele Micheala Lyman-von Steiger Belonging, (as the basis of all internalized resolutions), is as tangible as a wave crashing on the sand. It does not reside within or without, nor is it separated by a specific intensity. Belonging simply is what it means to “be”. For some this sensation of being is familiar and comforting. For them it is the understanding that they are appreciated by others. That their talents and positive attributes are ac...

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“Team Morale.” by Julie Grenness

Submitted to Contest #228

Let me tell you a story, a chapter in the life of Tiny Town. The citizens who lived there had a super hero.His name was Vince the Invincible. He was an intelligent guy, caring and cheerful. Vince loved telling comical, funny jokes. He was friendly, smiling and a happy go lucky kind of guy. Vince looked heroic. He was immense, three meters tall. He had strong biceps, his body was toned with magnificent muscles. Vince had golden blond, wavy hair, and his tanned skin showed his perfect complexion. His best feature was his dazzling smile, lighti...

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“THE VOYAGE OF THE HARPY” by Ethan Krammer

Submitted to Contest #228

Bustle, gloomy faces, rotted food stalls, and all the lonely people. He stood in the middle of the market amongst the rabble, watching them. The sky was always gray in England, and he couldn’t wait to leave it – and the people under it – for another journey. Jack Nelson was a good sailor. When he was sober. He had wits of steel when he could summon them, and a sense of direction so acute you would think he’d never get lost. But the man was lost, in a certain manner of speaking. He’d heard all the rumors, how he’d be a captain already...

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“The Day I Learned I Was Nobody” by Rene Volpi

Submitted to Contest #228

One day, wandering about as usual, I ended up in a street food market where I learned one of my most valuable life lessons. I learned that self-examination is one of the hardest things humans can do. And that it takes a lot of effort to recognize and accept our faults. ~o~ I felt invincible when growing up. Many of us think that way. What could go wrong when you're 19? We are foolishly unstoppable. We know nothing, and yet we believe we are so bright and so able that we can become too full of ourselves, much to our detrimen...

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“One Saturday Afternoon” by Kristina Hopper

Submitted to Contest #228

It was blistering cold. The wind was howling. And even with the uncomfortable conditions, the sun was beaming in the afternoon sky. Josiah Drake was bearing the less than stellar conditions. He pulled his jacket closer to his body and rounded the corner of the sidewalk. Behind his hometown’s post office, was the entrance. He could see people going in and out of an area that was plastered with EVENT HERE signs blocked off by concrete barriers. He was positive his fellow townspeople would be less than thrilled with the barriers blocking the ma...

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“Paolo's Pinchos” by Kit Tarro

Submitted to Contest #228

Paolo’s PinchosPlease Be Aware of Sensitive Themes: Physical assault, cannibalism, murder, suggestive language and themes. A Pincho. A Puerto Rican street Kebab, tender, mouth-watering, barbecued meat on a stick. My abuelo was Paolo, the King of Pinchos in San Juan. He Made thousands of dollars a month, destroying the competition in the downtown market. Hundreds of orders a day, catering orders every Saturday. My abuelo quickly had hundreds of people a day coming for the most famous Pincho in San Juan. Life was good and safe to say; everyone...

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“Cheese and Chorizo.” by Kay Reeves

Submitted to Contest #228

As a vampire, Street Food Markets are not my normal hang out. The smell of fruit and vegetables is frankly disgusting, although the colourful display of tomatoes and red peppers does cause my heart to momentarily miss a beat, while I have to take a long circuit round any stall selling garlic. Even onions make me queasy. On the other hand the butchers' section makes me drool in a most unattractive way. All that raw meat, dripping with bl....., bl..... No! I must not even think about that delecious, warm, red stuff. Eyes front and try not to ...

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“Been there, Done that. 4 - Whispers of Kuala Lumpur” by N Martin

Submitted to Contest #228

"In the cosmic dance, the mirrors reflect not only the echoes of our past but also the shadows that dance on the tapestry of fate. In the embrace of love and darkness, choices echo through the celestial corridors, and every step is a dance with destiny."As Isaac stared at Mick's outstretched hand, the weight of the cosmic revelation sank deeper into his consciousness. The cosmic dance Mick spoke of seemed to mock him, and the mirrors from the pub reflected not only his past and potential futures but also the intricate threads of fate woven b...

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“Rivalry with a Side of Puns” by Sam Goularte

Submitted to Contest #228

The sun beat down on the bustling streets of downtown Ferndale, where the aroma of sizzling meats and spices wafted through the air. Food stands on either side, with the occasional individual showing off their musical ability, each vendor waiting for a hungry customer. Among the various food stands, two were well-known: Toastie Bites and Taco 'Bout Delicious. The rivalry between the two owners, Marco and Olivia, was often spoken about among the residents of Ferndale."You're going to buy a taco?!" Shouted Marco from between the stands. "You c...

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“The labyrinthine of life ” by Olivia Joy

Submitted to Contest #228

This story contains themes of deathThea's stomach growled as a miscellany of aromas collided in the breeze of the food market. A distinct cloud of chicken curry smoke wafted across her face transporting her back in time. Where a 10 year old Thea looked on as her mother made a meal. She could almost hear the soft sound of her mother humming in unison with the clinking noise of her wooden spoon against the pot as she stirred. The different scents of spices blended together, some basil, a bit of coriander and a dash of her mothers secret ingred...

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“A Bite to Eat” by Allison Maglinte

Submitted to Contest #228

It had been a long day at work for Edith Barns. Too many emails, too many meetings, too many assignments. The list goes on. The life in a big, bustling city took its toll on people. Eddie was no different. As she clocked out for the day, she wondered what she'll do when she gets home. Her heels clicked against the marble flooring in the lobby of the building where she worked. She smiled and nodded at the night guard as she made her way out of the building. Met with the chilling cold, Eddie let out a breath. She was thankful for wearing a puf...

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“Cupcakes by O' Scratch” by Keith Menendez

Submitted to Contest #228

“Hey! Thanks for making it. Don’t you look dapper.” A gorgeous brunette in a red trench coat called to a balding man in a wrinkled business suit. He sat on a park bench about to read a newspaper. He turned around looking for whom this beauty could be speaking to in the crowded food court. She looked like a model straight out of Victoria Secrets. He pointed to himself. “Yes, I’m talking to you. Cliff, right? Don’t you remember me? It's me, Demona.” Cliff cleared his throat and secretly removed his ...

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“A Past to Escape” by Bruce Ma

Submitted to Contest #228

The pleasant aromas drifted across the plaza, weaving through the never-ending crowds of customers. Stalls set up with great haste from the previous night dotted along the road on either side, emitting tempting invitations to their delectable goods. People swarmed around the salesmen’s bargains while others allowed their eyes to wander at windows displaying foods which lured many attracted families inside. I took step after step between bustling crowds, people hurried past; some enjoyed the company of friends and family; others appreciated t...

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Title: Cooking Lessons

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Start or end your story in a bustling street food market.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 25 stories

“The Three Body Problem” by Scott Christenson

“Chatter at the Market” by Hannah Lynn

“Catharsis” by Gabriele Michaela Lyman-von Steiger

“Team Morale.” by Julie Grenness

“THE VOYAGE OF THE HARPY” by Ethan Krammer

“The Day I Learned I Was Nobody” by Rene Volpi

“One Saturday Afternoon” by Kristina Hopper

“Paolo's Pinchos” by Kit Tarro

“Cheese and Chorizo.” by Kay Reeves

“Been there, Done that. 4 - Whispers of Kuala Lumpur” by N Martin

“Rivalry with a Side of Puns” by Sam Goularte

“The labyrinthine of life ” by Olivia Joy

“A Bite to Eat” by Allison Maglinte

“Cupcakes by O' Scratch” by Keith Menendez

“A Past to Escape” by Bruce Ma

🌟 Similar prompts

Include in your story a scene about a family's last meal before a significant change.

Write a story in which a character eats something that they shouldn’t have eaten.

Write a story in which a certain food makes your character travel back in time.

Write a story in which a character cooks up something to impress someone.

Contest #228

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

232

Contest entries

89

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: