Hello Everyone, @kingst here with the announcement for the **STACH Short Story Contest #13. This week, we have increased the prize pool and it is now #15SBD.
What is a Short Story.
A short story is a story with a fully developed theme but significantly shorter and less elaborate than a novel. It makes use of plot, resonance, and other dynamic components to a far greater degree than is typical of an anecdote. You can read it in less than 90 seconds.
Contest Rules:
•Write a Short Story based on the topic that will be given every week.
•Write an Original Short Story (Plagiarism will be flagged and reported).
•The Story must contain no more than 199 words.
•One entry per user.
Winners Selection.
Winners will be selected based on the topic, story plot, number of words and delivery as determined by the selected Judge. One word above 199, disqualifies the entry.
Contest Topic.
Write a 199 words story based on MY FIRST TIME.
PRIZE.
THREE winners will be selected for a share of the 15SBD and Yes, we increased the prize. The story with the most interaction gets a 1SBD prize from @ejemai.
First Prize: ----------------------7SBd
Second Prize: ------------------5SBD
Third Prize: ---------------------3SBD.
Good luck guys!
Sharpen your writing skills and throw in some inspiring short stories. XO!
STACH is supported by @Sndbox as a Sndcastle project.
Tranquility
I kept my distance the first time I visited the ocean.
A strong wind in the air picked up a chill as it crossed the water, bringing with it the scent and the sting of salt. Little gulls, far braver than I, touched ground where the foam hit the sand and pecked at things that only they could see.
Standing back, I let the sound of the waves wash over me as I watched them rise and fall. They seemed to be playing, stretching themselves as far as they could reach before the tides called them home.
Thunder cracked in the air and I wrapped my scarf more tightly around my body. The gulls cried out to each other in a warning that it was time to take flight.
I blew a kiss to the sea and promised to visit again before I walked away, the warmth of my own home calling me to return.
Image used with permission by @kerlund74.
Nice Hope you get 1st prize @ellievallie
💚
I vote you!
💛
@ellievallie and @kerlund74 The picture and the words formed a beautiful syntax and union for this story and what drove it home for me was the description. As I sat in my living room on my couch reading this post I was swept away to walking along the sea and I could feel the wet sea breeze sweep across me as I pulled my robe closer to me. I could hear the call of the seagulls, in the background, I was truly there.
I upvoted bro I want you to win 1 st
Tranquility,seems you were scared of the ocean. .lol.
just kidding.
nice story @ellievallie, you deserve the best ( first prize)
It was a very tranquil acceptance of the power of the ocean!
💙
got that feelings
HARLEY
I placed my hands on her, and looked at her deeply. My Harley was beautiful in every way, from her curves to her figure in general. I had waited so long and invested so much in order to get her and now she was finally about to be mine. Her body was cold to the touch and as I ran my fingers across it I could feel the urge to ride her grow within me.
Slowly, I climbed on top of her and watched in amazement as my body perfectly fit on top of hers. She offered no resistance to my advances and being a man of quick action, I immediately pulled out my key from my trousers and gently slotted it into her ignition. She came alive and let out a loud but subtle cry for joy. Her body began to vibrate, and as I put her into full gear I knew all my efforts were worth it.
I rode her all day long and it was quite possibly the most liberating and exhilarating experience I’d ever had in my entire life. Riding my Harley Davidson motor bike has never felt better than it did that first time.
Picture source - http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/13388/214546/myfirsttime_logo_3.jp
And Death Trails............
A barrage of bullets ripped through her in quick succession, pummelling her.Blood sprayed as she fell face-down to the ground, pain searing through her in continuous bouts. She tried to scream but no sound. 'Was she going to die? Damn it ! She had tall dreams, she was going to be a Chief Justice, she was going to marry Obinna, her architect-to-be sweetheart and they were going to have lovely kids.
But the dreams faded beneath her hazy eyes as reality hit her, and she wept in her heart, For everything she had lost.
Obinna had shielded her as they fled the scene but the same bullets had riddled his virile body, he had fallen, his dreams too. Life was un-fair. Being an orphan, he only wanted to pay his way through school
In the throes of death, she saw the headline news:
ARMED ROBBERY OPERATION : A GANG OF SIX ---- INCLUDING A PREACHER'S DAUGHTER SHOT DEAD IN A DUEL WITH THE POLICE
Heat slowly escaped her body as she gasped in terror. She knew she was taking her last gulps of breath, 'Please I don't want to die, it was my first time........And she slipped into end-less oblivion.
My first time
It landed on my left cheek "Gboa", like thunder, before I knew what hit me, I was on the ground. I didn't even see it coming. My eyes saw white stars, I went deaf; all I could hear was a tiny "Wheeee" sound. I wasn't going to allow this guy fall my hands like this, lai lai We must fight o
But when I looked up to see him charging angrily towards me, I quickly changed my mind, for a second I felt like taking off, he looked like a body builder, but "man na man".
Choi! I can't be chopping free slap for nothing. I must...
"Tunde! Stand up and fight oh, stop doing like woman" My stupid girlfriend shouted, interrupting my thought.
Look at this girl o, I'm here because of her sharp mouth.
I don't even know the devil that made me push him; Ordinary push has turn to fight.
See where love has put me now, its not as if I even have power to fight sef.
This is my first time and they're beating me like this.
I would never try this again, to hell with her
Hahahahahaha, @vwovwe, guy you try. Correct story, make sure say you win o
Lol see falling of hands. I can really relate to this story @vwovwe
@vwovwe I love your story, it made me laugh. Your writing style is unique.
Great story. Pray you win first prize!
This story is hilarious, hope you win @vwovwe
Wow @vwovwe, funny story, I just hope it's not your story.
Lol, funny. Nice story. I was just laughing as I read through. Hope you win
I felt that slap, the way you described I felt like I witnessed the fight. Good story, short and hilarious @vwovwe
Mhen this story is funny I swear, @vwovwe, I just pray you win. You rock
Good and hilarious, I loved it, I felt the slap too, hope you win
Guy making sense, funny too. I loved it. Please win @vwovwe
I don dey laugh since morning o, good and funny story. The slap fresh LOL @vwovwe
Wow. I love your story.
Ooo boy. That kind hot slap. Bros, u Don see am nah, na so love dey; love has both sugar and pepper together. Nice one brother.
Lolz. Wished I was close by, I would have helped you defend your baby....lolz...but how was the slap? Lolz.....nice story brother.
Lol...
Things we do for love. Well, its your first time.
Michel was an enthusiastic science kid, with only 14 years old he was the champion of the science tournament that was celebrated in the country, competing with older boys.
Michel was not sure what career to study, when he had to go to college. Michel's options were Biology, Chemistry, Physics, any career that had to do with science, which was his passion.
One day Michel left on a science field trip organized by the school in the forest. They were cataloging the different types of plants, when he heard the cries of his schoolmates on the other side of the hill, when he looked he saw how they were running, pursued by bees.
I watch as his friend Karl falls to the ground. Michel ran to meet him to help him, seeing Karl he realized he could not breathe. Michel had read about how to apply CPR and seeing how Karl's face turned purple, due to the lack of oxygen, he started applying CPR.
Michel saved his friend with his knowledge, and for the first time he felt what it was to help save someone's life. That day he decided he would be a doctor.
The Wanderer
Irene is a crazy girl who loves to feel free and enjoy life to the fullest, she is adventurous and wanders from city to city doing odd jobs to earn some money and when she gets bored she takes a bus and goes somewhere else.
One of those days, when getting off the bus she arrived to a small town called Lagunillas, the people there were very kind and soon she got a job as a receptionist in an inn.
One night after work she went to a bar, she danced and had a few beers with a boy named Vicent, they had a very pleasant conversation. Irene was attracted to him, so they planned to see each other again.
As months pass by Irene feels that she has fallen in love for the first time, nobody has ever made her feel loved and protected, she had found a home in that small town and did not want to leave as she always did. It was as if, from city to city, her heart was in search of love and now she had found it.
Hope.
For Isabel, life was fun and excess, she partied almost every day with her friends. One day when she got up she realized that she hadn’t been sleeping on her own bed, she was in the bed of a boy she barely remembered from the night before. She dressed and ran to her home, tears spilling from her eyes as she did not remember anything.
As months passed by Isabel found out that she was pregnant, she felt very distressed and thought about aborting, but her parents convinced her to have the baby and give it up for adoption. Isabel was confused with the arrival of the baby, sometimes she’d talk to her belly with love and at other times she’d hate it.
On the day of Isabel's delivery, as soon as she saw her baby for the first time she experienced what it was like to be a mother, she felt the purest love in her heart and decided not to give the child up for adoption. That day Isabel changed her life, she dedicated herself to the care and attention of her daughter Hope , because thanks to her she had the hope of a better future.
Memories of a soldier
Between drinks and a few empty bottles, the poor soldier drowning in his fears, tried to erase his memory by hiding his eyes from his companions, he felt animal, perhaps lost part of his humanity or perhaps save his life fortunately.
The place was impregnated with smell of death, I did not feel any kind of emotion; At my young age I was at the worst moment. I saw the bodies of our soldiers; He was so close to the enemy line that he could hear the whisper between them; a flare illuminated the sky and again the exchange of shots started, I ran desperately finding myself face to face with an enemy soldier who came over me I unsheathed my knife and in full struggle I drilled his neck, the man drown in his own blood.
In that war we left the essence of humanity that housed in our souls. From that time my nightmares were recurring, my companions knew what was happening, for them it was normal, suddenly the Sargento Miller approached, stared at and he told me words I'll never forget - "Quiet, we through same, the first dead never it forget, the others are just numbers".
Image source: https://abstract.desktopnexus.com/wallpaper/636709/
MY FIRST STAGE PERFORMANCE
I was in my third year in the University and I belonged to a music band. The band was small but we grew steadily. We performed mainly at birthday parties and other small gatherings and people loved our performances. The event that brought the group into lime light was an invitation to perform in the largest concert on campus.
We rehearsed a simple song, planned to modulate before each subsequent verse and I was chosen to take the third verse. Rehearsal went well and we were prepared for the performance. It was going to be my first time on stage.
Image Source
Being a spectator and being a performer are two very divergent experiences. This I realized when we mounted the podium. The lights were so bright, I could barely see anyone. I became so nervous; I thought my microphone would fall. When it was time to sing my verse, the key had become so high. I managed to start but halfway into it, I forgot my lyrics; I could only make hmm sounds. If it were a duet, my partner would have covered me. I was abashed, demoralized, and remorseful.
My First Time
I hid behind the tree. I did not have to hide but I did. I was not so sure about this.
It was 1 AM and I stood behind the tree waiting for him to come home. This would be my first time. I had never tasted fresh human blood. The bottled cans sure was tasty but I had heard that the warm fresh blood was a million times better.
We, vampires did not hunt anymore. I wasn't even sure how to. But I had to try.
The front door opened and he stepped out. I moved towards him. He had locked the door and turned around when he saw me.
"Who are you?" He asked.
I could not wait any longer. I sunk my teeth on the sweet spot nestled next to his neck and slurped.
Thanks so much for this contest. I will like to ask about the instruction for submission. Which tag? and also the duration. I'm sorry its my first time of entry
General Chef
My dad is a wonderful cook and the problem is that he knows it. No one ever satisfies his taste buds😒. This morning I had been told in no uncertain terms to prepare Quaker oats which I do not like, even bothering on hate. Despite all my protests about having never done it before, I found myself in the kitchen with a pot, a spatula and some oats. After figuring out that I needed water to begin the process, I proceeded to make what I thought was oats after reading the nonexistent recipe about 469 times. After 3.5 exact minutes in the kitchen, I called for a rescuer in the person of my dad. And believe me when I say, I had just put the oats in water. Daddy dearest finally made the oats after giving me a proper lecture.... You know how it is. I should tell you though, till this day, I have never seen oats as lumpy as the one he made. Of course he blamed it on me seeing as he couldn't very well be the mastermind behind lumpy oats.😒😒 That was my first attempt at oats nevertheless. It was also my last. 🙈😁
I wasn't sure whether the title was included in the 199words so I included it. I also sincerely hope that emoticons aren't counted as words cos if they are, there are 5words, I could remove😄🙈🙈🙈
Cool, I'm in. One question though, what tags are to be used.
Hi @vwovwe, use contest, stach, nigeria, writing
Are we to create a fresh post to participate or all entries should be submitted by commenting on this post?
MY FIRST TIME
Innocence is a flimsy sheet, once punctured, it can never be repaired forever! This is a lesson Bose would pass from generations to come. A girl bred in the best of ways she was. Although, her parents weren't wealthy, they strived to give Bose all they could. She was the type of girl every parent prayed to have, a figure of uprightness, she was the type labelled the S.U sister (scripture union sister). The world saw her to be perfect. But bose had a major shortcoming, she was covetous! She secretly envied girls who wore the designer accessories and she longed for the end of her university days, she yearned for freedom.
Days before her final paper she overheard a friend talk about a party, she wanted an iphone badly too, the party promised it's attendees freebies including such. All went well initially, until Bose felt dizzy. She woke the next day feeling immense pain allover and somewhat sore beneath. Few weeks later, Bose woke looking pale, she might soon be having a bastard. Her parents were immensely disappointed, after hours of persuasion to ask how it happened, all she could mutter was a regretful " it was my first time!"
great topic , good luck
thank you for sharing
have a nice day
My First Time
My lips touched his and I Immediately froze!
I could practically do nothing!
Where had all the endless hours of practice gone to? I wondered.
My friends were going to kill me. My boss... No, I cannot even think about that now...
Focus, focus, focus... I cautioned myself.
It was my first time and I had memorized the whole process over and over again in my mind.
I put my hands on his chest, like I know I was supposed to do and closed my eyes... Is that even necessary?
I just cannot think about that now...
I placed my lips on his again and after two minutes, I heard a loud clap from my teammates behind me.
I opened my eyes and the guy underneath me was smiling...
Yay! I did it!
My first cpr practical exercise was a success!!!
https://steemit.com/contest/@jerryboy4luv/my-first-time-in-chori
Here is a link to the contest entry. Thanks and I hope I win it.
Hello, here is my entry below. It has 197 words, and it was very inspirational so I tried a little bit darker approach. I also wasn't sure should I put comment here or link to the blog post so I am doing both. Link to entry: https://steemit.com/writing/@hidden84/my-first-time
MY FIRST TIME
I'm standing in front of a wall, looking at a simple message written a long time ago:
THIS IS MY FIRST TIME.
Below this statement, there is more text. I try to read it, aware of the tension that grows deep inside me. The words are red. They speak a strange tale. Somehow I feel I can believe them.
I'm trying to remember. I'm so confused. If the text is telling the truth, the dead woman next to me was my fiancée; it was the woman I loved endlessly and then killed her in cold blood.
It was her betrayal. I couldn’t bear it, but I was saved by the voice. It told me what should be done. This is my first time, I wrote with her blood after I stabbed her. After I learned that she lied to me about her first time.
The voice promised I will enjoy it forever. Since then I live this day again and again. Endless loop of justified sin and bloody text to remind me of it.
Soon, everything will start to repeat itself. I feel a bit nervous about that.
It will be my first time.
This couldn't be how life works, couple million of us in the same place and nothing to do... I wanted something more, everybody does the same thing in different ways, I wanted galaxy, not just stars. It was spring ending, I was chilling in the darkness thinking if anything beyond even existed. Suddenly, an earthquake interrupts my toughts and I am getting this tingling feeling throughout my body. „What is this!? Where are we going!?“ – I asked my friend. He told me we are fighting for survival. I realised, this isn't friendship, we are gladiators in a giant arena, and I am gonna win! I was so fast I lost all my senses, I was running and not once did I look back. I didn't know where could this all lead but I wasn't scared. I see the giant ball! I went in head first I didn't think twice. It was lonely for 9 months, just darkness... I was evolving in some kind of a creature. Something was pushing me out, I am not welcome here? After couple of hours, I am seeing light! Finally! It took me 6 years to understand, that was my first time being born.
resteemed and upvoted. Here is the link to my entry https://steemit.com/contest/@felt.buzz/my-first-time-an-entry-for-the-stach-short-story-contest-13-199-words-max
If you don't want to click through my story has 188 words:
The first time I came back to life it came as a bit of a surprise, I can tell you.
And as much to me as to my poor grieving mother. I am used to it now, of course - I have died and come back seventeen times now - but the first time was a real shocker.
I was fourteen at the time. I was out, playing in the street, and chased the ball smack-bang into an oncoming car. He didn't stop, and I was dead before my friend Billy could find someone to call the ambulance.
I spluttered back to life in the coffin, moments before I was due to be buried.
Boy, did I hammer the lid and I hollered “Let me out let me!” so hard it hurt my throat.
I think I made my mother wet her pants.
I remember a terrible thirst and an even worse headache: I couldn’t tolerate light for a fortnight afterwards.
After my mother stopped screaming, and crying, and laughing, and hugging me I made her promise to wait a full week, the next time, before hammering that box shut.
As I sit here I feel the sun on my face and its warmth feels nice on my skin. I can smell something wonderful, but I don't know what it is. I sit up a little taller and try to move closer, but I find I'm stuck in my seat. I lean towards it and I don't know what to do with it yet, but it smells so good, I think I'll see how it feels on my tongue and see if it tastes like it smells. Oh, good, it is moving closer! I let out an excited cry and I open my mouth, willing it to my lips.
I close my lips triumphantly around it, and my brow furrows as I concentrate. It's a little sweet, so I twirl it around on my tongue. The texture isn't too bad, but it doesn't taste as sweet any more. I work my jaw while I wiggle my tongue. I decide I don't like it and try to push it out with my tongue, but it's so sticky that it sticks to my tongue.
"Poor Little guy, I don't think he likes apples, how long until you can move to solids?"
MY FIRST TIME
I'd strolled out with my friends,having fun and joking around.Then we stopped by a bar to get some drinks.I almost ran out when I saw them ordering for weed, still don't know why I didn't.I left them to it,thinking I wouldn't have to take part.So when Tobi dared me to try it I said no and that was how they got fixated on me.
To get them off my back I agreed to a short smoke.After the first puff, I don't recall anything but I woke up the next day under the bridge.
Rushing home,I met my friends nursing injuries.I got to know I was the culprit.After smoking the weed they gave me,I had confiscated the rest from them,and when they tried getting it back,I got crazy.After soundly beating them,I dashed out of the shop and they had returned home to wait for me.
On asking for their stuff,I dipped my hands in my pockets but they were empty.Forgetting their injuries,they all rushed me.And that's how I got my own injuries too.
Great contest cool
Sorry my entry is coming this late.....
Here it goes
He stopped moving right before my very eyes. His life fleeting as the sounds of the gunshots and cannon shells rocked our base. I was just a lowly corporal posted to the frontlines that very day and he had already gotten the cruel taste of war. Jason had welcomed me to the base that morning with such warmth, knowing how hard it was for new recruits to acclamatize to the ravages of war, he took it upon himself to take us newbies under his wing.
It wasn’t long after we arrived that the rebels attacked, somehow they had gotten in undetected and in a matter of minutes, the entire base was in ruins. I had never used a gun on another human being, much less killed anyone, so when I was face to face with a rebel soldier, gone in hand, I froze.
The rebel soldier, hardened by his time at war was not so soft, he pointed his gun at me and fired without any hesitation. Jason jumped in the way and took the bullet for me right before the rebel soldier was shot dead by someone else. That was the first time I ever saw a man die.