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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✍️ 41 stories

“Uncle Dale” by Michał Przywara

⭐️ 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...

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“For-Get-Me-Not” by Mary Bendickson

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...

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“Car Sickness” by Katy B

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...

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“Cursed To Be More” by Michelle Oliver

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 ...

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“For Liv: Wound Bear” by Tommy Goround

Submitted to Contest #199

It's a gynecological fact that children who have just been born require a Womb Bear. This is a plush toy that has the sound of a beating heart within the plush that makes the child feel at home in their new bassinet.It's very much like taking the old water from a fish tank and mixing it with the new water that doesn't have any dookie. In this way the young fish or human baby will survive and feel loved.Well, I didn't want to pay the high price of the Womb Bear at Macy's. So I went across the street and maybe a few blocks down and picked up a...

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“A Simple Song Request” by Jake Fordyce

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...

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“7 Days” by Karina Navarro

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...

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“SHOO FLY” by Timothy Rennels

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...

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“Man proposes, God disposes” by Ifeoma Igwe

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 ...

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“Three Hours to Liverpool Street” by Jesse Neethling

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...

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“Team Building” by Webb Johnson

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...

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“Robin D.” by Kimberly Walker

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...

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“Timely” by Nathaniel Miller

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...

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“Peter Wingate!” by Daniel Rogers

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...

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“THOMAS” by Nancy Knapp

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...

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

Submissions are closed

✍️ 41 stories

“Uncle Dale” by Michał Przywara

“For-Get-Me-Not” by Mary Bendickson

“Car Sickness” by Katy B

“Cursed To Be More” by Michelle Oliver

“For Liv: Wound Bear” by Tommy Goround

“A Simple Song Request” by Jake Fordyce

“7 Days” by Karina Navarro

“SHOO FLY” by Timothy Rennels

“Man proposes, God disposes” by Ifeoma Igwe

“Three Hours to Liverpool Street” by Jesse Neethling

“Team Building” by Webb Johnson

“Robin D.” by Kimberly Walker

“Timely” by Nathaniel Miller

“Peter Wingate!” by Daniel Rogers

“THOMAS” by Nancy Knapp

🌟 Similar prompts

Set your story on a warm summer evening with a full moon, when everything feels magnetic and your character’s about to meet someone important.

Write about a character having a spiritual experience at a concert or a nightclub.

Your protagonist walks past an intriguing stranger, then turns around to take another look at them. The stranger turns around, too. Write about what happens next.

Write a story about someone who finds someone’s diary, and tries to reunite it with its owner. It’s up to you whether they read it or not!

Contest #199

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

256

Contest entries

143

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: