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Write a story about a character who returns home changed by someone they met on a trip.

Posted in Summer on May 19, 2023

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✍️ 40 stories

Uncle Dale

Shortlisted for Contest #199 ⭐️

Papa said it was a mistake to let Uncle Dale go shopping on his own, even if it was just down to Sammy’s to pick up smokes. He said that we support our troops in this house, and that it weren’t in no way proper to send a hero off on his own, forced to wheel his own chair around – even if it was a beautiful first day of summer, and even if Uncle Dale had wanted to go on his lonesome. And when Uncle Dale finally came back, we all knew Papa had been right. We spent all afternoon watching the clock. I knew it was an eight-minute-and-thirty-one s...

68 likes 75 comments 75
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For-Get-Me-Not

Submitted to Contest #199

For-Get-Me-Not 'Memories, Like the corners of my mind Misty water-colored memories Of the way we were...' No radio but the song kept recycling in her mind. 'Of the way we were...' She clenched back the tears. Couldn't cry now. Would never be able to see the road. The glare of the setting sun was already blinding her as it fried every June bug, cicada and firefly splatting itself on the muddy windshield of her pint-sized pick-up. If she turned on the wipers what chance enough washer-fluid was in the tank to make a difference? No, with h...

35 likes 45 comments 45
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Car Sickness

Submitted to Contest #199

[content: death] From her position in the back seat, face pressed indifferently against a box of Krishna figurines, Emily watched the sky cut in and out between the dark concrete serpents of the interstate. She had always hated snakes and highway snakes were the worst: sleek and fat, doubled back on themselves, swallowing their tails. Emily thought, what if I swallowed one too, and suddenly she could feel it writhing cold and alive from her navel up through the back of her tongue. “You’re just car sick.” The frame of her father’s glasse...

28 likes 18 comments 18
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Cursed To Be More

Submitted to Contest #199

The grizzled, grey man hobbled along the village street, his head bent, back bowed. Samra watched him with a wary eye and huddled closer to Mama as they sat on the stoop shelling peas together. Mama’s hands worked endlessly, and she barely needed to follow her actions with her eyes. Samra was not so dexterous. Her hands slowed as her eyes followed the old man as he shuffled along. His gait was slow and rolling, as if one leg was shorter than the other.“Samra, stop staring. Concentrate on your task, child,” Mama ...

22 likes 14 comments 14
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A Simple Song Request

Submitted to Contest #199

My son is finally asleep. I tell my wife I’m going out to play for a while. We need the money, and I need the music to take my mind off my day. I’m already dreading getting up the next day and doing the battle all over again.“Okay, be safe. Let me know when you get there,” she says.Creeping toward the front door in the dark, I step on what feels like a caltrop.“You okay?” my wife asks, hearing me cursing under my breath.“Yeah. It’s that ninja turtle toy again. I’ve told him too many times to keep it off the floor,” I say.She says something a...

20 likes 11 comments 11
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7 Days

Submitted to Contest #199

Legend says that whoever can grant the wishes of the dead will be compensated with an immense treasure. What was asked from the dead is to rest in peace and have a mass for his soul to be freed. Many would see the lost soul roaming around asking to rest in peace, but no one would fulfill his wishes. But what they do not know is that not everyone can fulfill this prophecy. Only someone with a pure heart and honest intentions can enter that world to understand the prophecy and the history behind it. A prophecy between good and evil fighting fo...

16 likes 5 comments 5
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SHOO FLY

Submitted to Contest #199

Shoo Fly    Logan Forsyth needed a break. His wife had told him, his Doctor had told him, and even his psychiatrist had told him. The stress of the job was catching up to him, and as CEO of Forsyth Industries he could not afford to show any signs of weakness to the vultures circling his corporate headquarters. The vultures were the consortium of competitors who had rallied their forces against him. He felt the pressure of staying in business as well as the pressure of keeping over 200 employees employed. After much persuasio...

16 likes 13 comments 13
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Man proposes, God disposes

Submitted to Contest #199

 Her whole life, Oluchi watched as different family members transitioned through her home in Lagos. These cousins and uncles and aunties were dream chasers who came from the village to the land of opportunities. They were the children of old relatives who had finished from university and exhausted all the support their parents could afford. But sometimes, they were younger and needed help with even their secondary education. All the same, her parents provided for these people who in turn looked after Oluchi and her brother. When Oluchi ...

14 likes 9 comments 9
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Three Hours to Liverpool Street

Submitted to Contest #199

Trains had always fascinated Tyler. From the time he was four years old, he would take apart and build little toy models of trains. His favorite part was the interior. The chairs, carpets, the little metal poles he would glue from the floor to the ceiling. At the age of twelve, Tyler’s parents got a divorce. A nasty kind, where the only interaction between them revolved Tyler and their commitment to him. Each month they would hop on a train with him and take him to the other parents’ house. Tyler was getting older however and his parents tho...

14 likes 8 comments 8
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Team Building

Submitted to Contest #199

Team Building An hour after I got his text message I sat in front of the big man’s desk. He informed me that the selection committee had recommended Clara North for Regional Sales Coordinator. “It was a tough call, Bob. It came down to team building, and they think she has the edge over you. You’ll have other chances.” He walked me to the door with a hand on my shoulder then dashed back to pick up a humming phone. He gave me a thumbs-up send-off while saying, “Hi, Clara. Good news.” I dreaded the inescapable, mortifying talk with my...

13 likes 4 comments 4
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Robin D.

Submitted to Contest #199

Robin D.Twice a month, my weekends began the same. Friday evening was hectic; I rushed back to the group home for a shower, a meeting with the counselor, and a ride to Greyhound. I had a small window of time, I got off work at 3 PM, and the early bus left at 5:15. You’re probably saying 2 hours and 15 minutes is, wow…lots of time. Not when you’re a teen who works 25-35 minutes away, a two-transfer required bus ride, and a 10-minute brisk walk to get to my front door. Of course, you must factor in Friday evening traffic in a college town. Eac...

13 likes 13 comments 13
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Timely

Submitted to Contest #199

The professorial pulpit that I preach grammar from is more of an hourglass. I sit inside, lecturing my students, subtly pleading with them to forget what I’ve become famous for. The glass that surrounds me on all sides, though, is impenetrable. No matter how loud I lecture, no matter how much I prove that I am normal, I am the spectacle in my classes, not anything I say. The shock of seeing me in person is, apparently, too great not to snicker and mutter and whisper about.  I thought I would find camaraderie in the other professors too...

13 likes 5 comments 5
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Peter Wingate!

Submitted to Contest #199

“The wisdom that poured from his mouth was mind-blowing.” Roger, a college student, said to his parents as they sat around the dinner table. “I mean, the things he taught me about life and how to be successful in business were worth a college education.” His black hair kept falling into his eyes as he gesticulated his excitement. “You mean the guy you met on the airplane?” His dad, Jim, asked. “Yeah! Haven't you been listening?” Roger laughed and shook his head. “He has changed my life!” “This guy you just met on the airplane?” Jim rai...

12 likes 1 comment 1
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THOMAS

Submitted to Contest #199

A unique benefit of visiting a country as a volunteer tourist is meeting the people of the nation in their own environments both at work and in their homes.  One of those special people is our friend Thomas Moritim. John met Thomas in 2009 on his second trip leading students in Kenya. Thomas was the principal of the elementary school in Pimbinyet, Kenya.  John and Thomas became fast friends and we are still in contact with him today.  Thomas is one of those wonderful, open individuals whose smile literally lights up a...

12 likes 4 comments 4
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Empathy's Dance

Submitted to Contest #199

All days begin the same, but none of them end in the same fashion. The incessant rhythm of routine gives way to the unpredictable dance of existence, and this was a dance I would never forget. I am a businessman in London, living the life of a perpetual blur. My life is usually as crisp as my suits, and as monochrome as my business proposals. But that day was different. As I boarded the packed 7:35 to Victoria, a swirl of colour caught my eye. An ethereal girl with dark eyes and vibrant hair was seated by the window, her head lowered. I ...

12 likes 11 comments 11
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