Welcome to the fifth week of the Spring Writing Challenge!
You all did so well with your stories last week! There were so many interesting and unique ways you interpreted the prompt. It’s now the fifth week, so it’s time to do it again! Will your story have fairies? Time travel? Ghosts?! Whatever you decide, we can’t wait to see what you come up with.
So, without further ado, here’s your next prompt!
Week Five Prompt – The Sentence Prompt
Write a story that includes the following sentence:
Needless to say, this wasn’t the first time…
Wait…what’s a sentence prompt?
A sentence prompt is a prompt that uses a particular sentence. It doesn’t matter where your story takes place, who’s in it, or what’s said. The only thing that matters is that your story must include the sentence, “Needless to say, this wasn’t the first time.”
Before you start writing, we have some important rules for you to follow.
Writing Rules
1. Please keep the content of the stories you post to a PG rating. Please avoid real curse words. Violence/fighting should be limited and purposeful. Please do not include any spice.
2. Your story must be 1,000 words or less, and must contain the prompt to be counted for the challenge. You’re not required to post it in order to “win” the challenge, but if you want it to count for your team, your story must be posted by Sunday at 11:59 PM ET, and you must include your team name.
Remember to scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and post your story as an “answer” to this question, not a “comment”. 🙂 You’re all doing such a great job! I’m so proud of all the stories you’ve posted.
Happy Writing!
Team 1
The bully
„Needless to say, this wasn’t the first time.“ – said Maria.
„Which means your child doesn’t understand the consequences at all.“ – added Peter.
Maria and Peter were the parents of the child Stefan, who had been hurt by his classmate Marko. The other two parents responded.
„We believe that children should deal with this on their own.“ – said Emil, Marko’s father, firmly.
„That’s right.“ – his mother Natalia supported him. „If we intervene every time, they won’t grow up at all.“
„You don’t understand what it’s like to be a parent!“ – Peter was indignant.
„We understand very well.“ – Emil was offended. „If your Stefan doesn’t pull himself together and deal with our Marko, then he won’t be able to handle it in the future either.“
„And how exactly will he deal with it, dear ones? Children are different and this is not a jungle where the stronger wins.“ – Maria started to get angry.
„Maybe he’ll find a way, and if he doesn’t succeed, there will be other chances for that, until he finally gets fed up and does what he has to do.“ – continued Emil.
„Ha! Do you want to try this? To be in my Stefan’s place for a day, and I in Marko’s place.“
„I don’t see how it can be?“ – Emil was surprised.
And Peter smiled mysteriously and said:
„An idea came to me, here’s what it is…“
Marko’s parents prepared for something inappropriate.
„So as I said, you will play my son, which means you will be weaker than me. I will tie one of your arms behind your back, and your legs will be slightly restricted. This will give me the physical superiority, you understand? And I will act like Marco. Do you accept or refuse?“
Marko’s parents looked at each other and without thinking, Emil said:
„I’m not a coward, so let’s go!“
The room was actually the school gym, which they could use after school. Petar arranged everything, including restricting Emil’s movements. And they began.
At first, Emil stood on the wrestling mat, and Petar threw himself on top of him and started twisting his other arm. Emil resisted and was generally stronger, but due to the restrictions, he couldn’t prevail. At one point, Petar stood with all his weight on top of him. If someone unfamiliar was watching them from the side, they would certainly call the police. Then Petar turned Emil into a target and threw footballs and basketballs at him, and in one of the cases he treacherously tripped him and Emil fell to the ground.
„Was that the whole theater?“ – said Emil.
„Multiply this by all the school days and add more incidents in the locker rooms, the school restaurant and the classroom, the humiliations in front of classmates and you will understand somewhat.“
„And yet even in this situation I could stalk you and give you a good punch.“ – said Emil, a little angry.
„If you are a little boy, you will not do it, because you are afraid. After one punch, countless will follow, and the humiliations will be even base.“
„But this has to stop somehow.“ – Emil could not help saying.
„But Marko cannot stop himself, my friend. Someone else has to rein in the wild horse.“
And as he said this, two boys suddenly entered the hall – Marko and Stefan. They had been watching everything, because their mothers had secretly agreed to bring them to the fight between their fathers. That’s why Marko, without knowing about the conversation between the two, attacked Petar to help his father. But it was Emil who shouted at him in a stern voice:
„Stop it, my boy! This is just a joke right now… and by the way, Petar is playing your role, so you’re attacking yourself right now. Do you understand?“
Marco sat down on the wrestling mat and said:
„So you’re making a scene on purpose, but it’s still not fair to have your hands tied and he’s not!“
At the same time, the boy Stefan stood next to them and looked at the strange sight with wide eyes.
„When you were bullying Stefcho, it was exactly the same, son. Look how tall and strong you are, and look at Stefcho.“
Marco looked at Stefcho with contempt, but gradually he began to understand. And he said:
„Isn’t it like that in the movies, dad? And in the books… and you even told me to fight.“
„I don’t think I explained it to you properly. And fists aren’t meant to beat up the weaker ones, don’t you understand that?“
Marco sulked and was about to leave if his mother hadn’t said:
„Would you behave like that with your little brother? No, right? Because you love him very much. But someone like you now might want to bully him at school, and you’re not around.“
„But I’ll find him later!“
„Then… tomorrow… what does that matter? We’re talking about not being the bad guy.“ – his mother added.
After that, Petar untied Emil and the two hugged each other. Then they left the school and sat in a restaurant, where the conversation was pleasant and at the end the parents were laughing their heads off. Finally, Marko and Stefcho shook hands and promised each other a visit.
*
Sometimes, a visual demonstration is the best way to learn! Well done!
Thanks for sharing your story this week, Plamen. Great job.
TEAM A
SUSAN BY ADELAIDE RIGGS
Near the local dirt road in a lush field, there was an abundant variety of grasses, wild flowers, and small creatures. All who dwelled here lived their lives with simplicity and gratitude. This included Susan, a beautiful flower whose color reminded everyone of a ripe summer lemon (but she was not quite so sour).
One morning, Susan was in the clearing enjoying a soft breeze when suddenly the air rapidly changed direction. Fragile as she was, Susan fell on her face, unable to get up. Panicking, she tried calling for help but the ground muffled her voice. Susan was helpless.
Just a minute later, a tiny, round old woman wearing a bright red cloak with black polka dots came into the clearing. It was Mrs. Dotty! She noticed the girl laying on the ground.
“Oh my!” exclaimed Mrs. Dotty as she hurried over to Susan. “What ever happened to you, dear?”
“I fell and ca-can’t move,” replied Susan quietly. “Could you he-help me?” Then she began to cry.
“Yes, yes of course! Be patient my dear. I’ll go as fast as I’m able to the house of Dr. Chippy.” And with that, Mrs. Dotty turned and quickly scuttled away, her red cloak fluttering behind her.
Susan was alone again, and very anxious. She wondered if she would never rise to see the blue sky again. Despite these thoughts, she tried to focus on her respiration. After what felt like months, she heard a pitter-patter, and out from the tall grass appeared Dr. Chippy with little Mrs. Dotty riding on his back.
“There she is, Doctor!” said Mrs. Dotty, pointing with one hand while the other five hung on tight. Needless to say, this wasn’t the first time he had been summoned, however this was the first time he had dealt with little old woman riding on his back.
“I see, I see! Please do not yell, you’re already near enough to my ear!” replied the doctor. Dr. Chippy was tall, dapper, orderly man, with a decent amount of good humor. They approached Susan.
“Hello?” asked the girl.
“Hello! So sorry about your condition. I’m Dr. Chippy, and we will help you get up.” These words made Susan feel better.
“Pardon, but where is the other one?” inquired Mrs. Dotty.
“Well, Perk should have been behind us. Excuse me for a second.” The doctor filled his cheeks and gave a couple sharp whistles.
In a moment, a boy appeared next to them. He looked rather lofty, and had a smirk on his round face. Mrs. Dotty jumped up and landed in a ball, her arms and legs tucked in.
“Perk!” said the doctor sternly as his son began to laugh. “This is a serious matter. I did not ask you to come along to play games!” Susan thought it was quite funny, but would have enjoyed it more if it weren’t for the condition she was in.
“Ok, let’s get to it,” said the motivated doctor. “Madam, you fetch some water from the brook and grab some witch hazel on your way back. Perk, you’ll need to climb onto my shoulders so we can lift this poor girl up.” Immediately Mrs. Dotty flew down the hill to complete her orders.
Just as Perk was about to climb upon his father’s back, Dr. Chippy noticed a break in Susan’s back. “Oh my, we will need some long grass to bind that wound. Got it, Perk?” “Sure, dad!”
Overhearing the doctor’s concern, Susan’s nerves were on the rise. “A-am I going to be OK?”
“I believe you’re going to be just fine,” consoled the doctor.
Perk made quick work of gathering some long grass and wasted no time in hopping up onto his father’s shoulders. They worked together to lift Susan up off the ground and stand her upright, Dr. Chippy encouraging Susan throughout the process.
Mrs. Dotty arrived not a moment too soon with the water and witch hazel, the latter of which was applied to Susan’s fracture.
In a jiffy Dr. Chippy had bound her wound with the green bandage and all was well.
“Oh, thank you all! I feel so much better, except it feels like my eye might be bruised,” said Susan.
“Well miss,” Dr. Chippy responded, “it does look pretty dark.”
“Black, I’d say,” added Mrs. Dotty.
Dr. Chippy applied the witch hazel to Susan’s bruise, but it did not seem to work.
“I’m sorry, but there is not much else I can do. What’s your name, miss?”
“Susan.”
“Susan,” Dr. Chippy looked her in the face. “Your black eye is beautiful.”
“Black eyed Susan.” said Mrs. Dotty….