Category Archives: Stories

JAMIE MATHEWS: The Innocent

Artistic, Submissions, , , , , ,

The black cat strolled through the prison, being avoided by everyone in her path. She breezed into the first cell.

The prisoner dropped his head. “They didn’t believe me. That a wizard did it.”

“They will,” the cat said, transforming into his wife. She waved her wand, and they disappeared.

Jamie Mathews is an award-winning journalist and writer. He earned his BA from The University of Alabama, where he was a proud member of Honors English Program, and his MAT from the University of South Carolina. Find out more about Jamie on his site.

The Mail Must Get Through

Amusing, , , , ,

In fair weather or foul, the mail must get through.

No one knows why anymore. It has been possible for a decade to send any message electronically and to replicate or actuate any object that might previously have required physical transportation.

I suppose the mail carriers have a good union.

This story was based on the prompt “in fair weather” on TypeTrigger.

Too Important

Artistic, , , ,

Mere minutes til the results are announced. Win or lose, succeed or fail… Which will it be?

She perches on the corner of her bed, clutching her phone. It rings.

“Well?” she breathes.

“Hi, honey. It’s Mom.”

She hangs up in disgust. This is too important.

The phone rings again.

This story was based on the TypeTrigger prompt “minutes til.”

Pawsome Bear Adventure

Amusing, Puns and Wordplay, , , , , , , ,

“It’s Leap Day!” said Benjamin Bear. “Let’s have an adventure!”

“We could go swimming in the ocean!” said Bartholomew Bear.

The two boys ran to the shore and dove in, laughing and splashing and playing.

“Swimming is pawsome!” they said.

“More like jawsome,” said Samuel Shark, eyeing them from below.

This story was based on a pun I saw on a McDonald’s Happy Meal bag.

Fluid Emotions

Amusing, Artistic, , , ,

Crying, bleeding, a runny nose. Sadness, injury, sickness. Why is there this connection between trauma and the loss of bodily fluids?

I drink 10 litres of milk, apple juice, and water every day, because if liquid out is bad, then liquid in is good.

But the ceaseless urination hurts my soul.

YVETA SHANFELDOVÁ: Paul

Amusing, Artistic, Submissions, , , , ,

He wants to choose a woman – not the other way around. But not being chosen infuriates him. One woman wants him, platonically. “She’s stringing me on,” says Paul.

He likes her but can’t stand her.

She can’t decide to leave the church. “She’s a nun,” adds Paul, “a great gal.”

Yveta Shanfeldová, born in Prague in 1957, is the author of two published poetry books: Night Jugular Shaft (Host, Brno, Czech Republic, 2006) and In Place of Sundays (MaPa, Brno, Czech Republic, 2008).

PIRATE WEEK – ABBY W.: Night-Time Stories

Amusing, Pirate Week, Submissions, Touching, , ,

“Captain Jon was the meanest captain on the sea.  He forced the sailors who disobeyed him to walk the…”

“Are you telling the girls about scary pirates again?” interrupted mother.  “I don’t want you to give them bad dreams.”

“…To walk the time out deck until they cooperated,” continued father.

Abby W. is a member of Todd Battaglia’s Grade 7 Language Arts class.

This story is a finalist for the Audience Choice Award and the Grand Prize.

PIRATE WEEK – BRANDON KING: Hospitality

Amusing, Pirate Week, Submissions, , , ,

When the drunken, raging pirate burst into the peaceful bed-and-breakfast, the patrons fled their meals for safety.

The inkeeper, however, knew that customer service comes first. Even pirates need a place to stay, and money is money.

He managed to say, “Greetings! How may—” before the cutlass took his head.

Brandon King is a volunteer for Leading Edge Magazine, an awesome sci-fi/fantasy publication that will publish and/or edit your short stories, poems, or artwork.

This story is a finalist for the Audience Choice Award and the Grand Prize.

PIRATE WEEK – KING KOOL: Captain Whiskers is Finding Real Treasure

Amusing, Pirate Week, Submissions, , , , , , , ,

Captain Whiskers the ruthless kitty pirate had slit many throats to get this treasure. The first mate hammered the lock open and pushed the lid off the chest. He poured out the gold and jewels within, but Captain Whiskers didn’t seem interested, instead playing with the box it came in.

King Kool has previously contributed many stories to 50WS.

This story is a finalist for the Audience Choice Award and the Grand Prize.

PIRATE WEEK – CAMERON BOYCE: A Golden Opportunity

Amusing, Pirate Week, Puns and Wordplay, Submissions, , , , , ,

The pirates broke into cheers as the monster finally collapsed.

They had been waiting a long time for this moment. With the leviathan defeated all of its fabled riches would be theirs.

However, with much dismay the pirates realized that the legendary goldfish was not, in fact, made of gold.

Cameron Boyce is a high school student. He enjoys puns and wordplay though he hasn’t written any stories before.

This story is a finalist for the Audience Choice Award and the Grand Prize.