Our April Flash Contest was based on our weekly creativity prompt #147 written by Stone Soup ’20–21 Intern Sage Millen. Her prompt, which asked participants to visit the same spot every day for a week and record what they saw—whether through art, photography, or writing—generated a wide array of fabulous submissions, from daily photographic representation of a lounging house cat to ultra-scientific observation notes reminiscent of natural science journals. Thank you to all who submitted their stunning work, and thanks again to Sage for providing us with the prompt! In particular, we congratulate our Honorable Mentions and our Winners, whose work you can appreciate below. Winners “Observing My Backyard” by Rishan Chakraborty, 11 (Portland, OR) “The Island” by Madeline Cleveland, 11 (Belleville, WI) “The Tales of Freeman Gardens” by Claire Liotta, 12 (Glen Ridge, NJ) “Dolly’s Home” by Elizabeth Sabaev, 10 (Forest Hills, NY) “Over the Ditch” by Daniel Shorten, 10 (Mallow, Ireland) Honorable Mentions “My Backyard” by Reena Bao, 11 (Bedford, MA) “My Description Paragraphs for Six Days” by Diya Chakrabarti, (Portland, OR) “Times of the Day in My Room” by Chelsea Liang, 11 (San Jose, CA) “Our Playground” by Tang Li, 8 (Palmetto Bay, FL) “Magnolia Bliss” by Pranjoli Sadhukha, 11 (Newark, OH) “Interesting” by Ava Shorten, 11 (Mallow, Ireland) Selected for the Stone Soup COVID-19 Blog “My School” by Feifei Wan, 9 (Portland, OR) Selected for the Stone Soup Blog “Spring in Central Park” by Lila Laton (New York, NY) Rishan Chakraborty, 11 (Portland, OR) Observing My Backyard Rishan Chakraborty, 11 4:00 p.m. 4/5/2021 On the second floor of the southeastern part of my house, my work room provides a spectacular view of our backyard. Right outside my window, which faces east, a noble fir with peculiar blue-green needles is located. When I was little, I thought that a Christmas tree with needles the same color would look amazing. However, I realize now that cutting the tree down would be a shame. All of the trees rock in the wind, but the noble fir is steadfast. When it does move, it moves gently, and sometimes it almost seems like it is breathing. 4:00 p.m. 4/6/2021 On the opposite side of the noble fir, a large, shaggy curly willow resides. When I was younger, my brother and I would grab one of the many dangling branches and run, pretending we were swinging from vines like Tarzan. Earlier, the branches were bare and speckled with tiny curly leaves. Now, there are hundreds of leaves on the tree, and the shape of its branches gives it the appearance of possessing bright green hair. 4:00 p.m. 4/7/2021 In our backyard, we have an old, tattered play structure. As a young child, it was one of my favorite places to hang out. Imagination would turn it into a spaceship, a boat, an airplane, and even a temple. In the summer, we would invite neighborhood kids to play with water guns, and the play structure could be used as a fort offering a vantage point, or somewhere to escape if you were under attack. Now, the slides are dirty, the swings rickety, the tarp missing one half, but I still cherish the fond memories associated with it. 4:00 p.m. 4/8/2021 A bird comes along, its purpose undefined. Very likely it came looking for food. The question remains unanswered. I did some research and discovered that it was probably an American Robin, which is known to search for insects on the ground, hopping around in the process. I have keenly observed birds in my backyard too, such as a hummingbird, which flits around looking for its food. Spring is here, and as the days grow longer, more and more birds will start showing up, almost as if they are making the backyard come alive. 4:00 p.m. 4/9/2021 In the very middle of my backyard, a solitary maple sits, deserted on an island of dirt. A few flowers nearby don’t provide much company. The maple tree once had a bird feeder, and would be visited by birds all day, but since the feeder was taken down, it has been left alone. It sits on an island of dirt, surrounded by a sea of grass, almost like a stranded castaway. A coconut also used to be on the same island, before it was taken and cracked open with a rock by two 6-year-olds. Now, the maple is left to itself. 4:00 pm 4/10/2021 In my backyard, a noble fir with interesting blue-green needles sways, as though breathing. In my backyard, a willow tree swings in the wind, branches swishing through the air. In my backyard, a damaged play structure creaks, enduring everything thrown at it through the years. In my backyard, a bird appears, although not the first one to visit. In my backyard, a maple mourns and wishes for company. In my backyard, memories stay alive. Madeline Cleveland, 11 (Belleville, WI) The Island Madeline Cleveland, 11 Day one: A buttery golden carp jumps a few feet from my boat as I sink my paddle into the water’s still surface. I hear a scraping sound as my kayak runs aground on a gravely beach. I have reached my destination. I carefully walk onto the muddy shore. A few moments later, I am in tall swaying dry grass. I sit down on the bank to write this. Another graceful fish splashes, breaking the quiet. Carp are common in this lake, but each is beautiful and unique. Kind of like people that way, each and every one is special. I walk back to my kayak and paddle to shore. Day two: I sit on the shore in the same spot I did yesterday. I’m starting to realize why the fish love this place so much. This island is untamed. On one side, there is a gravely cove, perfect for parking kayaks. On the other, there is a sandy beach. And, on the south tip, where I sit, is a serene area with moss carpeting the lake floor. The carp are especially fond of these shallows.
Flash Contest
Flash Contest #29, March 2021: Write a story set somewhere you’ve never been–our winners and their work
Our March Flash Contest was based on our weekly creativity prompt #142, asking contestants to stretch the limits of their imagination in order to write a story set somewhere they had never been. As always, selecting the winners was exceedingly difficult due to the abundance of quality work, but this month our editors were left especially in awe as three different pieces were also selected to be published separately on the blog. These writer’s comprehensive world building ability and infinite capacity for imagination were on display as we received submissions ranging from metafictional meditations on writing to poetic renderings of an encounter with a yeti to Frankenstein’s spinning in perpetuity! We thank all who entered this month’s contest and encourage everyone to keep submitting! In particular, we congratulate our Honorable Mentions and our Winners, whose work you can appreciate below. And a special shout out to Lake Oswego, Oregon, Scarsdale, New York, and the state of Oregon as a whole, as four out of five of Winners came from these two cities and half of all entrants selected for recognition came from Oregon! Winners “Lost in Blocks” by Scarlet He, 10, Scarsdale, NY “Frank in the Galaxy” by Kimberly Hu, 8, Lake Oswego, OR “Underworld Adventure” by Rex Huang, 11, Lake Oswego, OR “The Legend of Mount Himalaya” by Audrey Li, 13, Scarsdale, NY “Complete” by Shriya Roy, 13, Highland, CA Honorable Mentions “Green Ivy” by Riya Agarwal, 11, Portland, OR “Somewhere” by Madeline Cleveland, 11, Belleville, WI “The Ice Jester” by Chelsea Liang, 11, San Jose, CA “Shipwreck in North Pole” by Roger Krishna, 6, Portland, OR “Unknown Train Trip” by Charelle Jan Ramo, 10, Hilo, HI Chosen for the Stone Soup COVID-19 Blog “Going Viral” by Ender Ippolito, 9, Portland, OR Chosen for the Stone Soup Blog “Life Inside a Staircase” by Arjun Nair, 9, Midlothian, VA “Spring” by Porter Younkin, 9, Medford, OR Scarlet He, 10Scarsdale, NY Lost in Blocks Scarlet He It was a sunny afternoon. A castle was growing in her heart. Julia slapped the last piece on the wooden castle, causing it to tumble to the floor. “Aw, man! That was the last piece… I’ll have to rebuild it!” Julia exclaimed, picking up a wooden block from the rubble of the oak wood blocks. Her mom daintily walked into the room, with a stern look on her face. “Julia, come have dinner, please. It’s getting cold.” “No! I’m not done building my kingdom!” Julia sighed and placed the block in an empty space, arranging it in a fashionable manner. Her hands shook as she grabbed another block. She wasn’t sure if her palace was going to fall another time. The castle gradually grew higher and wider, finally becoming a real tower. Julia’s elbow swung and hit bulls-eye into the tower’s base, down it came crashing, blocks flying through the air. “No… ugh! I’ll have to rebuild it. Again!” Julia whined in anger. She didn’t know why, but she was angry… for the thousandth time in her eight year lifespan, her head started to spin. Forgetting about her fumes, she panicked and scrambled around her room trying to get balanced. Everything spun. She felt as if she was skydiving out of the sky, but really she was just about as foolish as an octopus settling into a cup… she blacked out. Julia blinked and rubbed her head. She didn’t feel right, not at all. Towers of wooden buildings loomed over her. Had my kingdom grown in the past few hours? She had an odd feeling that overpowered the “This doesn’t feel right” feeling. She felt different. The weird thing was that this seemed a little familiar. She lifted her foot to walk around, but ho! It felt heavier and she immediately dropped it. It was the same for the rest of her body parts. She lifted her foot, and eventually got the hang of it. She started toward the gate, and walked up to a fruit market with her stomach grumbling loudly. “Hello, can I get a-” Julia asked, feeling around in her pockets. She had no money. She made a concerned face at the cashier, to let her know about her mistake. She realized the cashier was made out of wood! She had short twin-tails around her shoulders and circle glasses with no lenses. “It’s ok. I can give you a wapple for free,” the cashier said, handing her a shiny wooden apple that looked like a fusion of a pear and an apple. “Thanks… but where am I? I’m supposed to be in my room right now, building Barkanther!” “Barkanther? Why, you are near Barkanther! Actually, you ARE in Barkanther!” The cashier smiled. Julia’s eyes widened, and she stuttered, “Wait, what? Why am I here then??” The cashier’s eyes widened too. “That means you aren’t a citizen… who are you?” the cashier said nervously. She took a step back and adjusted her glasses carefully. Julia remembered her tantrum when she had accidentally knocked down the palace. She felt guilty, but good at the same time. The sun shone in her face, and wooden leaves danced in the cooling wind that blew Julia’s soft bark hair. She decided not to worry and focused on attaining this girl’s friendship. “Hey… listen. I’m no citizen from around here, but I want you to know that I’m kind.” Julia said in her most convincing voice. She was telling the truth, for once. She wasn’t a citizen of Barkanther. She didn’t even know where she was. “I believe you…. That you aren’t a citizen from here.” Esther said, stepping forward to munch on a wapple. Esther stepped out of her stand to face Julia, eye to eye. Then she exclaimed, “I can see it by the way you look. Come, come.” Julia looked around for a moment before following Esther. She spotted some citizens cooking some soft leaves over a lightbulb. Is this what they use to cook? Julia was bewildered, but reluctantly followed Esther down the sidewalk and passed by a few alleys. Their shoes
Flash Contest #28, February 2021: Pretend your favorite character has social media–our winners and their work
Our February Flash Contest was based on our weekly creativity prompt #138, asking writers to put themselves in the shoes of one of their favorite characters by pretending this character had social media, and entrants did not disappoint. From added wrinkles to the wizarding world of Harry Potter, to illustrations of beloved cartoons, and even to the outer reaches of space, we received a wide array of submissions that challenged traditional modes of thinking, and gave new perspective on what it means to grow up with social media. It is a marvel to be continually surprised by the amazing work we receive each month. So, well done to all who submitted! In particular, we congratulate our Honorable Mentions and our Winners, whose work you can appreciate below. Winners “@pluto9planet” by Ender Ippolito, 9, Portland, OR “Insta Pusheen” by Maggie Kershen, 11, Norman, OK “Godley Scribblings: How I Came To Be Uncle Totey” by Iago Macknik-Conde, 12, Brooklyn, NY “Halloween with the Rooney’s” by Elizabeth Sabaev, 10, Forest Hills, NY “The Social Evolution of Our Beloved Wizard” by Pranjoli Sadhukha, 11, Newark, OH Honorable Mentions “Chihiro Posts from ‘Spirited Away’” by Scarlet He, 10, Scarsdale, NY “Tweets from Cricket” by Rex Huang, 11, Lake Oswego, OR Ariel—The Ocean Heroine” by Tang Li, 8, Palmetto Bay, FL “The Leader Who Gained Citizens with Twitter” by Chelsea Liang, 11, San Jose, CA “Better than Daily Prophet” by Jack Rubin, 9, Solon, OH Ender Ippolito, 9, Portland, OR @pluto9plane Ender Ippolito, 9 @pluto9planet Feb 1, 2017 Hey buddies, especially scientists, I am disappointed to learn that I do not count as a PLANET. It’s NOT fair because even though I am smaller, that don’t mean I ain’t A PLANET!!! COMMENTS @earth3planet: The scientists live on me so I should get to choose if you are a planet. @pluto9planet: Says Mister Goldilocks. #annoying#frenemy#bossy Add comment (__________) @pluto9planet Feb 2, 2017 Dear buddies, happy you could talk to me, still bummed about the planet thing, just talk in the chat. Ok, thanks!!!! COMMENTS @mercury1planet: Sorry Pluto not my fault and hi. @pluto9planet: What’s a dwarf planet? @mercury1planet: idk look it up. @pluto9planet: It says I am too small! @mercury1planet: But I am small?!?! @pluto9planet: 🙁 🙁 Add comment (________) @pluto9planet Feb 3, 2017 What’s up? I am great. Totally, over the planet thing. Really, it’s fine. I’m not crying in bed at night. Definitely, not having nightmares. Not hyperventilating in a paper bag. Nope, not me. And Jupiter, how are you? COMMENTS @jupiter5planet: fine thanks @pluto9planet: how many earths could you fit inside you? @jupiter5planet: 1,400 @pluto9planet: can you scare earth? @jupiter5planet: yes i am very good at it. why? @pluto9planet: can you annoy him? @jupiter5planet: yes @pluto9planet: can you do it now? @jupiter5planet: yes i will 8:46 @earth3planet: jupiter you are so annoying 8:49 @jupiter5planet: and then you were like so naaa naaa neeee neee . . . . Add comment (________) @pluto9planet Feb 4, 2017 Shhhhhhhh, do not tell Earth, Mr. Bossy is going to get a surprise! We are going to do a little prank. COMMENTS @mercury1planet: He is sooooo mean to me! Super bossy! @pluto9planet: Same super bossy to me too. @venus2planet: Earth says I am gassy, smelly, and sweaty like a pig! @pluto9planet: That’s so mean! @earth3planet: What’s up? @mercuryvenuspluto129planet: Uh, nothing. @mars4planet: My brother is annoying! @pluto9planet:Yeah! @jupiter5planet: I also think he is annoying. @pluto9planet: I know! He says he should be in charge just because he’s got fleas growing on him! @mars4planet: Big deal. I have fossilized bacteria. @saturn6planet: He says I am the silliest planet because I have rings! But Uranus has them too! @pluto9planet: :-() :-()! @uranus7planet: Earth makes fun of my name! @pluto9planet: That’s sad. @neptune8planet: He sticks his tongue at me neighbor. @pluto9planet: He does what! Oh my!!! @earth3planet: You know I can see all of this, right? Why are you going to prank me? I have a big responsibility, taking care of these humans. I guess I am cranky because I don’t sleep. The pipsqueaks never turn off the lights. 24/7 all the time. LIGHTS LIGHTS EVERYWHERE! Sorry can you forgive me? @mercuryvenusmarsjupitersaturnuranusneptunepluto123456789planet: Can you change Pluto back to full planet status? @earth3planet: No, but . . . I can arrange an ellipse dance party!!! Add comment (________) @pluto9planet Aug. 21, 2017 6:00am Welcome, setting up computer and eclipse party. IT WILL BE FUN. #solarpower#hide&seek COMMENTS @earth3planet: Was the party good? 8:00pm @mercuryvenusmarsjupitersaturnuranusneptunepluto123456789planet: It was wonderful! Let’s do it again! @earth3planet: Sure. Talked with the Sun and Moon. June 10, 2021 is the next one. Put it on the calendar. @mercuryvenusmarsjupitersaturnuranusneptunepluto123456789planet: WOOHOO! Add comment (________) Maggie Kershen, 11, Norman, OK Insta Pusheen Maggie Kershen, 11 Iago Macknik-Conde, 12, Brooklyn, NY Godley Scribblings: How I Came To Be Uncle Totey Iago Macknik-Conde Godley Scribblings My divine insights into the art of writing, the universe, and the unknown (I actually mostly write about family feuds) __________ About Thoth is the Egyptian god of writing, wisdom, magic, and the moon, and rightly so. He has written over a million columns in the Egyptian Times, and he has at least one hundred podcasts. He has won nine Nobel prizes in literature. He also has his own editing company, Brawny Brains, INC. How I came to be Uncle Totey The story of Nut’s forbidden children __________ By THE REAL Thoth on March 09, 2019 Hi guys! This post is about the time I helped Nut have her children, as you requested in the comments of my last blog. So about 50,000 years ago, Nut and Geb wanted to have children, but Re was angry at Nut for being pregnant without his permission. So, he put a curse on her that banned her from having any children on any of the 360 (no this is not a typo, calm down my friends) days of the year. I was an innocent bystander until Nut told me about her dilemma: she was going to stay pregnant forever but never having any
