Write a short story about a teacher or mentor figure who recognizes hidden (or magical!) potential in someone and helps them cultivate it.

Posted in Narrative on May 12, 2023

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✍️ 46 stories

“Underlying Potential” by Greg Gillis

Submitted to Contest #198

In every teacher’s career, there is at least one student who shows outstanding potential, though not all are as obvious as one would imagine. Mrs. Quarrel, the first-grade teacher at Pudmore Elementary, greeted her students as they entered her classroom on the first day of school. “Welcome! Welcome, students! Come in and have a seat,” she said cheerfully. &...

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“Little Fae” by Myranda Marie

Submitted to Contest #198

Millie sidled slowly from the parking lot to the front doors of the elementary school. She carried her car keys in one hand and a little purple windbreaker in the other. She moved slowly but with conviction. Years of standing on her feet, tending bar and serving tables took its physical toll on her hips and knees. She made it a habit to leave five minutes early for any appointment, giving herself ample time to walk to her destination without the risk of being late. Just as she leaned on the brick wall to rest next to the heavy double doors, ...

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“6 p.m.” by William Richards

Submitted to Contest #198

My desk was near the front of the class. Every two weeks there were exams and your place in the room got updated. The smart kids were made to sit at the back. I think they wanted to inspire us to work harder. But it felt like being branded stupid sitting up front. The class was silent except for the occasional sniffle, someone tapping their pen, and Mrs Price walking up and down. She was one of the younger teachers. Well, she wasn't as ancient as Mrs Gilbert in any case. And she took care of herself more. Like her skin was always perfect...

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“The Good Mage and Her Devil Mentor.” by Dan Foster

Submitted to Contest #198

Morana sat on a soft cushion in the highest tower of Castle Twilight. Her top hat tilted to the side. She had long black and white hair split down the middle with straight bangs, a tiny nose she sometimes painted red, and bright silver eyes that ran in the family.Her head moved left and right while being lectured by the tall, olive-skinned sorceress dressed in a black robe made from spider silk who walked in circles around her. The sorceress’ coal-black hair cascaded down her waist and smelled like Cattleya orchids, while her voice was ...

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“From Teacher to Student” by Allen DeCowsky

Submitted to Contest #198

There once was a man who was skilled in all things, magical and non-magical. He had learned these things over a very long career as a traveling performer. The magic he would perform was considered out-of-this-world and became his calling card. Of all the success this man had, there was one thing that kept him awake at night: he had no one to teach his skills to. Day in and day out, the crowds that he performed for were eager to learn from him. However, he sensed that they were only seeking his skills for fame and fortune. He had decid...

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“The Kid of Yestermonth” by Dylan Patrick

Submitted to Contest #198

Warning: the occasional upper-echelon swear word, slight homoerotic vibes (comes with the territory of wrestling) Allow me to summarize the past few weeks: “Welcome to Overtime Gym!” “Don’t you quit now!” “I’m trying!” “I have no son!” Okay, I’m exaggerating with that last one, but only slightly. Being part of a family that accepts nothing but greatness can get tiring. Not only greatness, but a 70s Celtics-esque run where we bring back multiple championships. Looking at our trophy room, you’d think that I was the only one who didn’t g...

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“Graven” by Mark VanTassel

Submitted to Contest #198

Graven A Legend from the Strength of Old By Mark VanTassel Date: 1 A cricket hit his head, then hopped away. It was far from what he wanted, but when you’re in prison you take what you can get, or you starve. Graven lunged forward and snapped up the cricket. It had an earthy, nutty flavor. He gagged, and his jailer giggled. Another creature landed in his cell, this time a spider. Graven tensed and forced himself forward. Spiders were nasty, but he had to eat. It was fat, black, and shiny, with a red hourglass on its belly. It promp...

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“Jigsaw Pieces ” by David Beason

Submitted to Contest #198

(Trigger warning story contains references to Sexual violence, Mental health, Substance abuse, and physical violence.) If Marcus could build a Mount Rushmore of the educators who had shaped his mind, they would be James Randi, Carl Sagan, Martin Gardner, Frederick Douglass - and Stephen Hayes. The last name probably no one knows. Marcus was a high school drop out whose early life never seemed to move beyond the first two levels of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. His school days involved strategic ploys to meet the physical needs of fo...

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“Mrs. Brown” by Kimberly Walker

Submitted to Contest #198

Mrs. Brown Every Friday, the stench of fish sticks flooded the hallways by 11:38 AM. The alternative lunch choice was Mac and Cheese made with that imitation 5lb—block of government cheese. My only options were green beans, peaches, milk, and ice cream if I had an extra $0.50… if not for the best teacher in the world. I had irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea before it had a cute little name; IBS-D. Mrs. Brown understood how severe my affliction was after my first blowup during recess. By this age, you should know how to control your bodi...

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“Start. Stutter. Stop.” by John Heard

Submitted to Contest #198

Larry Jones looked at the clock in his office. One more hour and he could begin his three-week summer vacation. He was the 11th and 12th grade counselor at the Academy School, located an hour west of Boston. The school had 300 students with 75 per grade level. There was another counselor who worked with the 9th and 10th graders and together they shared one secretary. It was a heavy work load, particularly for him as he was responsible for the college admissions process for the senior class.He had reason to be happy this July.&...

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“THE TASTE OF THE EARTH” by Mara Masolini

Submitted to Contest #198

THE TASTE OF THE EARTH “ This morning that monster spat in the teacher’s face,” Lisa said, grimacing. “ And he also beat Malcolm until his nose bled” Samuel added, looking disgusted and at the same time frightened. The “monster” Lisa and Samuel were talking about was George, a six-year-old little boy who was absolutely reluctant to be disciplined. George was not able to write and read, he didn’t wash or comb his hair. And he crawled like a four-legged animal and not because he wasn’t not able to walk upright but because he liked it t...

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“رینبو (The Rainbow) ” by Sarah Asermily

Submitted to Contest #198

Rania’s inky hijab matched the rain cloud that loomed over her head the moment she entered her seventh-grade classroom. She made sure to always be the first to arrive, relishing her control of the desolation she’d chosen for herself before her classmates inevitably chose it for her. It had been seventeen days since the Twin Towers fell, and each one that passed left her with a feeling of irrevocable isolation. The attacks hadn’t been her fault, yet those who she once considered her acquaintances now shunned her. No more jokes, no more shared...

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“Dimitri” by Andra Patterson

Submitted to Contest #198

Dimitri It was the first day of the new school year, at a new school, in a new town, a brand new me. I was finally away from him and everything that had conspired in my life within the past 4 years would be over. Life would once again be quiet, peaceful, and maybe even normal for the first time in over 10 years. I was born and raised in a small, isolated town in the suburbs of Maine, raised by my loving parents, Dad was a desirably handsome dentist and Mom was a strong and dedicated OB/GYN. I grew up in an upper-middle-class neighborhood, i...

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“Lessons From the Future” by Gracie Lyle

Submitted to Contest #198

“Bad night?”That would've been obvious to anyone with eyes if the bartender hadn’t been so eager about clearing my empties. I found my reflection in the mirror behind the bar. The glass was so foggy and warped that it turned the scene into an impressionist painting—or maybe that was the seven beers I’d just drank. “I am having a bad night.” “I know.” The woman I’d never seen before sat down next to me. “You told me to meet you here.”“I don’t know you.”“In the future, you do.” A fire truck screamed outside and she paused while it passed....

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“The Starling and the Fisher” by Tanya Humphreys

Submitted to Contest #198

Rolly looked up through the leaves of the elm at the small, dark, tee-shaped figure soaring graceful figure eights high above against a backdrop of fresh, fat spring clouds. The hawk sent a cry down to earth, high-pitched and slightly raspy. Rolly’s siblings shivered all around him and emulated frightened turtles ducking into their shells.The six baby starlings that surrounded him whispered amongst themselves as if afraid the great hawk in the sky could hear from that far away. Maybe he could. His sister Serry whispered, “It’s him. It’s the ...

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Write a short story about a teacher or mentor figure who recognizes hidden (or magical!) potential in someone and helps them cultivate it.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 46 stories

“Underlying Potential” by Greg Gillis

“Little Fae” by Myranda Marie

“6 p.m.” by William Richards

“The Good Mage and Her Devil Mentor.” by Dan Foster

“From Teacher to Student” by Allen DeCowsky

“The Kid of Yestermonth” by Dylan Patrick

“Graven” by Mark VanTassel

“Jigsaw Pieces ” by David Beason

“Mrs. Brown” by Kimberly Walker

“Start. Stutter. Stop.” by John Heard

“THE TASTE OF THE EARTH” by Mara Masolini

“رینبو (The Rainbow) ” by Sarah Asermily

“Dimitri” by Andra Patterson

“Lessons From the Future” by Gracie Lyle

“The Starling and the Fisher” by Tanya Humphreys

🌟 Similar prompts

Write a story about an unconventional teacher.

Start your story with somebody getting called to the principal’s office.

Write about a school trip that takes a turn for the unexpected.

Write a story that contains the phrase “Okay class! Pop quiz.”

Contest #198

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

182

Contest entries

105

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: